Now you to can buy a Tesla!

[GotSmart]

http://gizmodo.com/teslas-next-big-product-is-coming-on-april-30-batterie-1699326600

Just over a week for the announcement.  This could be a game changer.  Do not buy any batteries before then!

 

[4GNomad]

I saw some pictures of this somewhere.  The house battery is the size of a hot water heater and someone said they expect the price to be $8-$10k.  Not very practical for van/rv dwelling, but it could revolutionize home energy from what it sounds like.

 

[GotSmart]

From what I have read, there will be different batteries produced.

Since the US has closed all led mines, and only recycled led is available, I wonder about the quality of the units.

Still exciting to see new companies in the market.

Time will tell.

 

[SternWake]

 While teslas current home battery  will not be in any Van anytime, well ever, the fact that this technology is becoming more mainstream, can only eventually benefit those of us living non mainstream lifestyles.


When Automakers can drop 50LBs of Lead battery for no price punishment, we should have drop in Lithiums  or better, for around the same $ as AGMs are now, and not have to worry fighting  petulant sulfation from chronic undercharging of Lead acid batteries.

 

[LeeRevell]

Read the comments below the article. Some food for thought there. TANSTAAFL.

 

[MikeRuth]

From what I have read, there will be different batteries produced.

Since the US has closed all led mines, and only recycled led is available,  I wonder about the quality of the units.  

Still exciting to see new companies in the market.

Time will tell.

I'm presuming you meant "LEAD" not "LED"

 

[GotSmart]

My "A" finger sometimes does not work...

 

[highdesertranger]

ha ha ha got smart. my shift finger never works. btw not only the lead mines but the smelters. I believe the last lead smelter in the US, closed last year. highdesertranger

 

[GotSmart]

To my knowledge, there is only one place here that recycles lead.  Viburnum MO.  The Doe Run Company.  They throw batteries in a huge concrete pit, and add baking soda to neutralize the acid.  The resulting white powder is sold in bulk to soap companies for filler in laundry powder.   :dodgy:

The lead is then re smelted in a completely clean oven. (No fumes released.)

Seriously... I went through there on tour for a college class.   It was cheaper to spend $50,000,000 on converting it to a recycleing plant than spending 10 times as much cleaning it up.  (Thank you EPA)

The last primary lead plant in Herculaneum MO closed two years ago.  The US EXPORTS used lead batteries to a lot of countries for recycling purposes.  mostly Mexico.

The reason behind this is because a large percentage of the children from lead mining towns were being poisoned by the dust from the trucks driving down the street filled with oar going to the smelter, s well as the dust from the plant operation itself.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-diet-of-lead/

 

[highdesertranger]

so basically we just shipped our problem to Mexico, where they have much stricter environmental laws. highdesertranger

 

[GotSmart]

Mexico has laws?

 

[Seafoam]

Here is the official press kit.

 

[blars]

Yawn. $3k for 583 Ah at 12v, or $3.5k for 833 Ah at 12v. With Tesla's cooling technology, only needed for high charge/discharge rates.
About twice the going rate for raw LiFePO4 cells.