As Americans pursue different ways to go green in 2012, some are considering buying electric vehicles. And while sales have been somewhat limited for two of the more popular electric automobiles—the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt—Tesla is hoping to invigorate the market with an updated version of one of its classic electric offerings.
The carmaker recently announced that it would start selling its latest Tesla Model S sometime in 2012. While Tesla has detailed what the Model S looks like and what features it has, it's been tight-lipped about how much it will cost.
But in late December, Tesla announced how much their newest electric model will cost in 2012, a 365-day period which the company dubbed "The Year of Model S."
Model S will fetch $49,900 after tax credits
"There have been a lot of rumors about price increases lately," said George Bankenship, vice president of worldwide sales at Tesla. "I'm happy to say that all Model S pricing remains unchanged, including the basic version with the 40 [kilowatt-hour lithium] battery at the price we announced in 2009 of $49,900 after federal tax credits."
He added that the price includes standard features such as the 17-inch touch screen on the console, 19-inch wheels and a universal mobile connector that will enable motorists to power up their vehicles quickly.
Price higher for models with higher battery capacity
While the price may be costly for some, motorists who have the ability to spend more will be rewarded with improved performance. According to Cars.com, a standard 40-kWh battery will enable a Model S to travel 160 miles while traveling at an average speed of 55 miles per hour. However, Tesla will also offer models that have battery capacities of 60-kWh and 85-kWh. At the same speed of 55 mph, motorists in these cars will be able to travel 230 and 300 miles, respectively.
The increased capacity comes at a cost, though. The website reports that each increase in battery size raises the price by $10,000. Before federal tax credits, that means a 60-kWh Model S will run approximately $77,400.
But the first 1,000 Model S vehicles produced will have an even steeper asking price. Cars.com reports that these vehicles—part of Tesla's special Signature series—will run around $105,400, as they'll be equipped with a 300-mile-range battery.
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