Tesla Motors Formally Unveils Electric Sports Car

The Tesla made it to the editorial page of today's NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/23/opinion/...r=1&oref=slogin

July 23, 2006
Editorial
Go Speed Racer!
Virtue alone will not break the grip that petroleum holds on the automobile market. That’s why the introduction of a sleek, high-performance roadster that happens to be electric rather than gasoline-fueled is worth noting.

Tesla Motors, a Silicon Valley start-up, has developed a two-seater that goes from zero to 60 miles an hour in four seconds, leaving the days of electric cars as glorified golf carts in the dust. The company seems to understands what it means to love cars as well as the environment. (On its Web site, Tesla revels in the power of the car’s acceleration pinning passengers to their seats.)

With a range of about 250 miles, the Tesla Roadster can go much farther on a single charge than earlier electric cars. And 150 of those miles cost about the same as one gallon of gas. But the car itself will not be cheap, running from $85,000 to $100,000. Rather than a stumbling block in this case, it’s actually a selling point.

Martin Eberhard, the company’s chief executive, recognizes that new technologies usually start out as high-end products. He and his team are making their car the newest hot gadget, a status symbol. If rappers and football stars buy them, maybe the company can make a dent in the market.

Tesla already has plans for a mainstream vehicle down the road if it can expand its business. Perhaps this is one area where trickle-down theories could really work.

 

little pricey for me but its good to see people working the alternatives, and check this one out too
http://autos.msn.com/as/minishow/article.a...&s=bibendum2006

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bobr1 @ Jul 21 2006, 02:37 PM) [snapback]290048[/snapback]</div>

Great answer. But I wasn't looking to put it in my home. I was thinking for those times when you want to go more than 250 miles in a day. I just didn't see any mention of using the fast chargers that already exist in CA along with the regular charging stations. In order to make an electric car viable as more that a second vehicle for commuting one of two things have to happen. The range needs to increase to the point that it can be driven at highway speeds for about 8 hours without recharge OR the recharge time has to be brought down to the point that it can be done in the time it takes to have a meal.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Whitestar @ Jul 24 2006, 08:00 AM) [snapback]291396[/snapback]</div>

But most people do not drive 8 hours every day. That is the point of EV, you don't drive it 8 hours everyday. This roadster being a glorified Elise, you will not find many people willing to drive more than 250 miles at a time.... hence the reason there are so many Elise on the used market. I still have not driven my s2000 more than 200 miles in a day.

As for the range, if you need a car to travel long distance
(1) buy a petro car and be done with it... it is not for you in the near future.
(2) drive an EV regularly and have your spouse drive the petro car (and gas car can be your travel car).

As for recharging with 1/2 hour, there are companies already reporting 80% charge in less than 5 minutes. With this, the problem is not the battery... just that there is no "fast" charger infrastructure to charge your battery.... and we know how long it will take with oil (and petro cars) still being cheap.

 

Not all Hybrids are created equal. Since people buy and drive cars for many reasons, its good to see an electric for those who want to pick up the pace.