Just have a look at this Goldman Sachs chart that identifies the range of a slew of competing electric and hybrid autos, for both cost and the range they can drive.
With the exception of a couple of high-end products from Audi, Tesla's Model S (as well as its eagerly-anticipated Model X and Model 3) outpaces nearly every model from competitors in terms of how far it will drive on its battery pack (vehicle range). That includes Mercedes, BMW, Kia, Volkswagen, Fiat, Nissan and Chevrolet, among others.
According to a Goldman report issued Tuesday, range is just one of the advantages Tesla has as the earliest successful arrival in the rapidly-evolving electric car manufacturing game.
Only Audi is expected to surpass Tesla's battery range-but it won't come cheap
Audi is nipping at Elon Musk's heels - and Goldman's chart shows it. The only car that's projected to have a greater range than a Tesla is Audi's Q8 e-tron, a yet-to-be-produced crossover SUV from the German automaker.
But the Q8 e-tron is one of the select few cars that costs more than even the costliest Tesla. The Goldman analysts expect the sporty Audi will be priced at about $180,000, a big price hike from the Model S (with a ceiling of about $105,000) or the Model X (expected to be priced around $60-$70,000). And the Q8 won't be on the road until 2017.
Although Goldman is currently rating Tesla stock "neutral," the bank has a $214 price target on the stock. Analyst Patrick Archambault and his team says one of the electric car maker's advantages is its industry-leading battery packs, which the company has regularly improved upon, distancing themselves from competitors.
The only car that even holds a candle to Tesla cars, and at a reasonable price tag, is the Chevy Bolt, at around $37,500, according to the Goldman report.