German Green Party Member Trashes The Model S As "Ill-Suited"

An internal memo obtained through Germany’s Freedom of Information Act revealed that a Green Party member, Johannes Remmel, returned his Tesla Model S after it was reportedly unable to fulfill his long distance travel requirements.

Remmel, an electric vehicle proponent and environment minister for Germany’s most heavily populated state, North Rhein-Westphalia, explained that Tesla’s flagship Model S which is capable of 311 miles (500 kilometers) of travel per single charge was “ill suited” for official business use. As a result, the Model S was returned after only being used for 43 trips, according to Automotive News.

In question, according to Remmel, is the true range for Model S when adjusted to local driving styles. A senior aide noted the environment minister’s inability to reach even 250 mi (400 km) of driving range, going as far as saying he was forced to turn back after only 93 mi (150 km) of driving or face the risk of running out of battery.

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atc98092 - 8/24/2017 5:35:50 PM

+4 Boost

What was he doing, driving Autobahn speeds? Of course he wouldn't have the range he wanted. Reading the article shows that he was simply wrangling to get an S Class Mercedes instead of the Tesla. I can't blame him for that, but he did stuff to purposely submarine the Tesla. Used the slower chargers rather than the Tesla super chargers that were available on his route, then complain about the time it took to charge? Come on, at least be honest you wanted the Benz!

TheSteve - 8/24/2017 8:13:50 PM

+5 Boost

Readers here know I'm no Tesla fan-boy, but this article makes me suspicious of the known incestuous relationship between German government and the German auto industry. The German government is ultra-soft on VW and the Dieselgate scandal because of the economic havoc that might ensue should they come down as hard on VW as the US Government has.

Not using available and much more effective Tesla Super-Charger stations, and then blaming the car for not living up to its claimed potential, is definitely underhanded and disingenuous.

I speculate that German agencies may be trying to downplay Tesla in preparation for a Volkswagen EV to look more positive. Or this might simply be a case of one person's personal prejudice against Tesla. In any event, I'm not taking this report seriously, but it might have detrimental impact on Tesla sales in Germany.