# Tesla Model S AWD 70D : Why It’s a Game Changer - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/06/tesla-model-s-awd-70d-speed-and-efficiency-explained/ - Published: 2015-06-15T12:41:45-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Tesla Model S AWD 70D First of all, introducing the Tesla Motors Model S all-wheel drive (AWD) 70D. It’s an all-wheel drive [electric car](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/02/electric-cars-are-the-key-to-energy-independence/) with a 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds. So fast. So so fast. The Tesla Motors Model S 70D all electric car range is 250 miles. This is assuming you’re driving constantly at 65 mph. If you want a luxury electric experience, Tesla, Motors, and Model S together deliver something unique. [⌊Tesla Model S 70D Electric Car⌉⌊Tesla Model S 70D Electric Car⌉[ ##   ##   ##   ## ⏎ Price Point $75k for Tesla Model S AWD 70D In addition and at a starting price of $75k. So the Tesla Model S AWD 70D offers a broad and compelling set of features, much like what you would expect from Tesla Motors’ Model S lineup. I mean and as written before, the best part is [Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/even-more-evidence-that-electric-cars-could-save-the-planet/) Magazine. Incidentally, Wired has featured in-depth reviews covering Tesla Motors Model S advances. Everyone’s saying it: The future of driving is electric. The big-name car companies have plans to start giving [Tesla Model S](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/03/teslas-have-driven-over-10-million-miles-dig-it/) some tough competition. [Jaguar’s I-Pace electric SUV](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/04/2019-jaguar-i-pace/) will be on sale soon, and Porsche is teasing a new concept Mission E Cross Turismo. One which looks like an SUV’d Panamera in a good way. And normal cars for regular people are going the same way. Combined, Ford and GM plan to offer 34 full electric models in the next five years. Still, Tesla Motors ensures the Model S is at the forefront with innovation. ## Shakeups in EV Markets with Tesla Model S 70D [Columbia](https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2018/04/23/will-electric-vehicles-take-world-just-green-really/) University also reports about the electric Vehicle Market too. They added the following, and among the notable vehicles in discussions is the [Tesla Motors Model S for its market](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/07/why-the-tesla-model-is-revolutionizing-the-car-market/) impact. The [electric vehicle market](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/01/andretti-sports-marketing-to-host-miami-formula-e-race/) was already starting to shake up in 2015. However, Tesla Motors pushed that disruption even further with the Model S 70D. The company didn’t simply introduce another trim level. Instead, Tesla changed what buyers could expect from an electric luxury sedan. For starters, Tesla replaced the rear-wheel-drive Model S 60 with the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive 70D. Moreover, the new model packed a 70-kWh battery and delivered an EPA-rated 240 miles of range. Therefore, Tesla offered buyers more range, better traction and stronger performance in its new entry-level Model S. ([Green Car Reports](https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1097814_2015-tesla-model-s-70d-first-drive-of-new-electric-car-base-model?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) That move also put pressure on traditional luxury automakers. Until then, many people still viewed electric cars primarily through the lens of efficiency. However, Tesla increasingly competed on performance, technology and luxury. In fact, the 70D could hit 60 mph in about 5.2 seconds while providing all-wheel drive. As a result, buyers could compare it with premium gasoline sedans instead of simply comparing it with other EVs. ([Cars](https://www.cars.com/articles/teslas-base-model-s-is-now-the-all-wheel-drive-70d-1420680254710/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Meanwhile, competition was beginning to build. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and other established manufacturers were expanding their electrified lineups. In addition, General Motors was already talking about a roughly 200-mile Chevrolet Bolt. Consequently, Tesla could no longer assume it would have the premium long-range [EV market](https://greenlivingguy.com/2023/09/over-two-million-tesla-cybertruck-pre-orders/) largely to itself. ([Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-tesla-new-model-s-20150409-story.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) ## Supercharger Network Still, Tesla had another major advantage. The company combined the car with access to its growing Supercharger network. Therefore, [Tesla wasn’t simply selling an electric vehicle](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/02/teslas-battery-swap-revolutionizing-ev-charging-video/). It was building an entire electric-driving ecosystem around its customers. More importantly, the 70D showed how quickly EV technology could improve. The outgoing Model S 60 offered 208 miles of EPA-rated range. Yet the 70D pushed that figure to 240 miles while adding all-wheel drive. That’s a 32-mile increase from one entry- level Model S to the next. ([Green Car Reports](https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1097814_2015-tesla-model-s-70d-first-drive-of-new-electric-car-base-model?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Ultimately, those changes signaled something much bigger. Electric cars were moving beyond the early-adopter stage. Instead, EVs were beginning to challenge conventional luxury vehicles on speed, traction, technology and everyday usability. And that was the real shakeup. Tesla wasn’t asking drivers to accept compromises because they wanted to go electric. Instead, the company was starting to make the electric option feel like the upgrade. ## Fossil Fuel Bans Many countries are now banning new vehicles that run on fossil fuels like gasoline, diesel or liquefied petroleum gas. Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, and the Netherlands have announced plans to ban fossil fuel cars starting in 2030. Britain, France, Taiwan and California will ban them in 2040. Finally and Norway in 2025. In conclusion, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Athens and Mexico City will ban diesel vehicles in 2025, which will boost demand for [electric cars like those from Tesla Motors](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/02/article-the-hill-the-american-conundrum-with-electric-cars/), especially the Model S series. Moreover, when one factors in the cost advantages over an internal combustion engine vehicle. So that’s including fuel savings and incentives, the actual cost of owning Model S 70D comes to about $55k over five years (the average length of new car ownership). This is a testament to how Tesla Motors’ Model S blends innovation and affordability in the luxury EV segment. _**Source: **__**[Tesla Motors Blog](https://www.tesla.com/blog/introducing-all-wheel-drive-model-s-70d)**_ From The Tesla Motors Team, April 8, 2015. Clearly, the Model S exemplifies [Tesla Motors innovation in electric vehicles](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/09/tesla-model-x-infographic/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)