Tesla Roadster unveiled in Santa Monica
Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors, AutoblogGreen Exclusive
VIDEO, PICS and SPECS of the revolutionary Tesla Roadster
click on any image to enlarge
Tesla Motors unveiled their uber-chic Roadster, a powerful electric vehicle that looks, feels and drives like many other high-end sports cars Wednesday night. The main difference is the noise. Powered by a 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor, the Roadster can go 130 mph and does 0-60 in about 4 seconds, all completely silent.
Tonight was the grand unveiling of the Roadster in a decorated airport hangar in Santa Monica, CA. I don't ride in many sports cars, and I certainly have never been in one that zips across an airport's tarmac without so much as a whisper. But tonight I got a quick ride in the Roadster and all I could hear from the passenger's seat (not even Gov. Schwarzenegger, who flew in for a brief look at the car, was allowed to drive it) was wind noise. And myself saying "Wow" under my breath.
The car is low to the ground, and smooth in all possible ways. But this vehicle isn't just a sports car. It's also a green car. There are zero tailpipe emissions. There isn't even a tailpipe. Tesla Motors is working to provide purchasers with a photovoltaic panel that will turn the driving experience into an actual net producer of energy, according to Tesla Motors chairman Elon Musk. (cont'd after jump)
Check out the exclusive video of the unveiling that features interviews with Tesla Motors CEO Martin Eberhard and the company's chairman Elon Musk, as well as footage of the car in motion from both inside and outside the cockpit - after the jump!
Check out the rest of my report, a gallery of LIVE and OFFICIAL pics, and Tesla's press release with full specs after the jump.
Tonight's unveiling was also an invitation to purchase the Roadster when it is released in mid-2007 (for about $80,000-$120,000). The company is offering the first 100 Tesla Roadsters as Signature models. Musk said that the people who buy the Signature cars will not only be getting an incredible sports car, but will be helping to pay the R&D costs for future Tesla Motor vehicles. And that's what tonight was really about: the future. Gadget, an L.A.-based mechanic who converts ICE cars to EV and was seen in the movie "Who Killed The Electric Car?", and that film's director Chris Paine, were right behind me in line for the test ride. Paine filmed the promo video for the Roadster that was projected onto the walls. Earlier in the evening, Tesla Motors CEO Martin Eberhard said that, "An electric sports car was the way to fundamentally change the way we drive in the USA." Gadget and Paine agreed – although Gadget is convinced his conversion process is going to be more effective than $100,000 sports cars in getting EVs onto the streets – and after seeing what is possible with an EV, I have to admit there is pretty much endless possibility out there in electric motor land.
Lastly, there have been a lot of rumors floating around about the Roadster's specs, and tonight Tesla Motors finally let us know exactly what the deal is. Some of the rumors are true: the car can go 250 miles or so on a single charge (thanks in part to regenerative breaking that charges the AC motor) and will have all of the crash test ratings and safety features (airbags, GPS) when it is released. You can read the entire spec sheet and press release after the jump and at the Tesla Motor's website.
Press release:
TESLA MOTORS HOSTS WORLD DEBUT OF TESLA ROADSTER
OFFERING PERFORMANCE, STYLE & EFFICIENCY- WITH A CONSCIENCE
Silicon Valley Manufacturer Unveils Sleek, Clean and Fast
Performance Electric Vehicle Before Crowd of Well-Wishers
SAN CARLOS, Calif. – (July 19, 2006) – The first performance electric car manufactured by Tesla Motors, the high-performance, zero-emissions Tesla Roadster, was unveiled before a throng of well-wishers, car buffs, and potential customers Wednesday evening during Tesla's "Signature One Hundred" event at Barker Hangar.
More than 350 invited guests spent the evening learning about the new sports car, speaking with Tesla Motors executives, and going for rides along the tarmac at the Santa Monica Airport, adjacent to the event. Many signed up to be among the first to take delivery of the Tesla Roadster, becoming Signature One Hundred Members.
Celebrities in attendance included actor Ed Begley Jr., producer Richard Donner, businessman Michael Eisner, PayPal founder (and Tesla Motors Chairman) Elon Musk, Participant Productions' Founder and CEO Jeff Skoll, also of eBay fame, and actor Bradley Whitford, who starred in "The West Wing."
"We're thrilled to have the support of top people from so many different industries," said Martin Eberhard, CEO of Tesla Motors. "High-tech, CleanTech, entertainment, automotive, you name it. It's gratifying to have others realize the significance or what Tesla Motors is doing."
The electric-powered Tesla Roadster boasts a top speed of more than 130 mph and a range of 250 miles on a single charge, a combination heretofore unseen in a mass-produced electric vehicle. Its extended range is due to its state-of-the-art lithium-ion Energy Storage System. The Tesla Roadster is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in about four seconds.
"The Tesla Roadster delivers sports car performance without using any gasoline," said Eberhard. "This is what we hoped to achieve when we started the company three years ago, to build a car with zero emissions that people would love to drive."
Using a unique two-speed manual transmission, the Tesla Roadster's power comes from a 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor coupled with the Power Electronics Module (PEM) which provides multiple functionality of inverting direct current to 3-phase alternating current, the charging system, and the regenerative braking system.
The Roadster's Energy Storage System (ESS) provides power to the entire vehicle, including the motor. Its durable, tamper-resistant enclosure includes: 6,831 lithium-ion cells; a network of microprocessors for maintaining charge balance and temperature among the batteries; a cooling system; and an independent safety system designed to disconnect power outside the enclosure under a variety of detectable safety situations.
The Tesla Roadster comes complete with its Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE), a home-based charging system. An optional mobile charging kit, for re-charging while away from the EVSE, also features this automatic disconnect system. Charging the Tesla Roadster takes approximately 3.5 hours.
The Tesla Roadster is capable of driving up to 250 miles (EPA Highway) on a single charge, a range roughly triple that of previous mass-produced electric vehicles, like General Motors' EV1.
"It didn't make sense to sell a car that couldn't go 90 miles on a charge. You'd spend more time charging the old EVs than driving them," said Eberhard. "Lithium-ion technology, which has been proven in many different applications, has allowed us to achieve exactly what we thought it would in terms of power, range and efficiency."
The body design of the Tesla Roadster, which included a collaborative effort by the company's employees, has been headed by Barney Hatt, Principal Designer at the Lotus Design Studio in England. The result is a sleek, stylish sports car that will appeal to enthusiasts and environmentalists the world over.
Tesla designers and engineers have gone to great lengths to ensure that not only is the Tesla Roadster safe to drive, but also when charging the performance electric car, at home or on the road. Their goal is to not only meet, but to surpass the rigorous standards of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, or FMVSS, as implemented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Tesla co-founders Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, who serves as Vice President, Engineering, have brought together a team of automotive industry veterans plus Silicon Valley electronics and Internet engineers to bring the Tesla Roadster to life.
Research and Development for Tesla Motors is based at the Corporate Headquarters in San Carlos, Calif. Engines are manufactured at Tesla's facility in Taiwan, and assembly takes place at Tesla's plant in England.
Eberhard and Tarpenning provided the early funding for the company, and were joined in 2003 by Musk, CEO of SpaceX, who is the major investor in the company and serves as Chairman of Tesla Motors.
Musk worked with Eberhard and Tarpenning to attract more investors and approach Venture Capital firms, and in June 2006, Tesla Motors announced that the company had secured and additional $40 million in financing led by Musk and VantagePoint Venture Partners, one of the largest CleanTech investors in the Silicon Valley.
Deliveries of the Tesla Roadster are expected to begin next summer.
About Tesla Motors
Tesla Motors was founded in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning to create efficient electric cars for people who love to drive. The Chairman of Tesla Motors, a privately held company, is Elon Musk, who has lead or co-led all three rounds of investment resulting in $60 million in funding. Mr. Musk has been instrumental in both corporate and product development at Tesla Motors.
The company currently employs 70 people, including teams in California, the U.K. and Taiwan. The background and experience of Tesla's employees mirrors the vehicle itself, drawing from diverse expertise in the electronics, automotive and Internet industries.
Tesla Motors creates vehicles that conform to all U.S. safety, environmental and durability standards. Tesla's cars include modern safety equipment such as airbags, front crumple zones, side impact protection, and 2½ mph bumpers. Tesla will sell cars in the U.S. only when they pass the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS).
For more information, visit www.teslamotors.com
Motor:
* 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor
* 13,500 rpm maximum
* Max Net Power: 185 kW
* Max Torque: 180 lb-ft
* Top speed: over 130 mph
Performance
* 0-60 mph: around four seconds
* 0-100 mph: under 11 seconds
* Range: 200-250 miles per charge (estimated)
* Home-based charging system (EVSE) with integral safety features
Transmission:
* 2 forward speeds + reverse (by reversing the motor)
* 1st gear: 4.20:1
* 2nd gear: 2.17:1
* Reverse by reversing the motor (speed electronically limited)
* Final drive: 3.41:1
Exterior:
* Body: Carbon fiber
* Unique headlamp assemblies using proprietary HID low-beam and halogen high-beam lamp units
* LED taillights, marker lights and direction indicator lights
* Length: 155.4 / 3946 (in/mm)
[UPDATED TO FIX TYPOS]
click on any image to enlarge
Tesla Motors unveiled their uber-chic Roadster, a powerful electric vehicle that looks, feels and drives like many other high-end sports cars Wednesday night. The main difference is the noise. Powered by a 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor, the Roadster can go 130 mph and does 0-60 in about 4 seconds, all completely silent.
Tonight was the grand unveiling of the Roadster in a decorated airport hangar in Santa Monica, CA. I don't ride in many sports cars, and I certainly have never been in one that zips across an airport's tarmac without so much as a whisper. But tonight I got a quick ride in the Roadster and all I could hear from the passenger's seat (not even Gov. Schwarzenegger, who flew in for a brief look at the car, was allowed to drive it) was wind noise. And myself saying "Wow" under my breath.
The car is low to the ground, and smooth in all possible ways. But this vehicle isn't just a sports car. It's also a green car. There are zero tailpipe emissions. There isn't even a tailpipe. Tesla Motors is working to provide purchasers with a photovoltaic panel that will turn the driving experience into an actual net producer of energy, according to Tesla Motors chairman Elon Musk. (cont'd after jump)
Check out the exclusive video of the unveiling that features interviews with Tesla Motors CEO Martin Eberhard and the company's chairman Elon Musk, as well as footage of the car in motion from both inside and outside the cockpit - after the jump!
Check out the rest of my report, a gallery of LIVE and OFFICIAL pics, and Tesla's press release with full specs after the jump.
Tonight's unveiling was also an invitation to purchase the Roadster when it is released in mid-2007 (for about $80,000-$120,000). The company is offering the first 100 Tesla Roadsters as Signature models. Musk said that the people who buy the Signature cars will not only be getting an incredible sports car, but will be helping to pay the R&D costs for future Tesla Motor vehicles. And that's what tonight was really about: the future. Gadget, an L.A.-based mechanic who converts ICE cars to EV and was seen in the movie "Who Killed The Electric Car?", and that film's director Chris Paine, were right behind me in line for the test ride. Paine filmed the promo video for the Roadster that was projected onto the walls. Earlier in the evening, Tesla Motors CEO Martin Eberhard said that, "An electric sports car was the way to fundamentally change the way we drive in the USA." Gadget and Paine agreed – although Gadget is convinced his conversion process is going to be more effective than $100,000 sports cars in getting EVs onto the streets – and after seeing what is possible with an EV, I have to admit there is pretty much endless possibility out there in electric motor land.
Lastly, there have been a lot of rumors floating around about the Roadster's specs, and tonight Tesla Motors finally let us know exactly what the deal is. Some of the rumors are true: the car can go 250 miles or so on a single charge (thanks in part to regenerative breaking that charges the AC motor) and will have all of the crash test ratings and safety features (airbags, GPS) when it is released. You can read the entire spec sheet and press release after the jump and at the Tesla Motor's website.
Press release:
TESLA MOTORS HOSTS WORLD DEBUT OF TESLA ROADSTER
OFFERING PERFORMANCE, STYLE & EFFICIENCY- WITH A CONSCIENCE
Silicon Valley Manufacturer Unveils Sleek, Clean and Fast
Performance Electric Vehicle Before Crowd of Well-Wishers
SAN CARLOS, Calif. – (July 19, 2006) – The first performance electric car manufactured by Tesla Motors, the high-performance, zero-emissions Tesla Roadster, was unveiled before a throng of well-wishers, car buffs, and potential customers Wednesday evening during Tesla's "Signature One Hundred" event at Barker Hangar.
More than 350 invited guests spent the evening learning about the new sports car, speaking with Tesla Motors executives, and going for rides along the tarmac at the Santa Monica Airport, adjacent to the event. Many signed up to be among the first to take delivery of the Tesla Roadster, becoming Signature One Hundred Members.
Celebrities in attendance included actor Ed Begley Jr., producer Richard Donner, businessman Michael Eisner, PayPal founder (and Tesla Motors Chairman) Elon Musk, Participant Productions' Founder and CEO Jeff Skoll, also of eBay fame, and actor Bradley Whitford, who starred in "The West Wing."
"We're thrilled to have the support of top people from so many different industries," said Martin Eberhard, CEO of Tesla Motors. "High-tech, CleanTech, entertainment, automotive, you name it. It's gratifying to have others realize the significance or what Tesla Motors is doing."
The electric-powered Tesla Roadster boasts a top speed of more than 130 mph and a range of 250 miles on a single charge, a combination heretofore unseen in a mass-produced electric vehicle. Its extended range is due to its state-of-the-art lithium-ion Energy Storage System. The Tesla Roadster is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in about four seconds.
"The Tesla Roadster delivers sports car performance without using any gasoline," said Eberhard. "This is what we hoped to achieve when we started the company three years ago, to build a car with zero emissions that people would love to drive."
Using a unique two-speed manual transmission, the Tesla Roadster's power comes from a 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor coupled with the Power Electronics Module (PEM) which provides multiple functionality of inverting direct current to 3-phase alternating current, the charging system, and the regenerative braking system.
The Roadster's Energy Storage System (ESS) provides power to the entire vehicle, including the motor. Its durable, tamper-resistant enclosure includes: 6,831 lithium-ion cells; a network of microprocessors for maintaining charge balance and temperature among the batteries; a cooling system; and an independent safety system designed to disconnect power outside the enclosure under a variety of detectable safety situations.
The Tesla Roadster comes complete with its Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE), a home-based charging system. An optional mobile charging kit, for re-charging while away from the EVSE, also features this automatic disconnect system. Charging the Tesla Roadster takes approximately 3.5 hours.
The Tesla Roadster is capable of driving up to 250 miles (EPA Highway) on a single charge, a range roughly triple that of previous mass-produced electric vehicles, like General Motors' EV1.
"It didn't make sense to sell a car that couldn't go 90 miles on a charge. You'd spend more time charging the old EVs than driving them," said Eberhard. "Lithium-ion technology, which has been proven in many different applications, has allowed us to achieve exactly what we thought it would in terms of power, range and efficiency."
The body design of the Tesla Roadster, which included a collaborative effort by the company's employees, has been headed by Barney Hatt, Principal Designer at the Lotus Design Studio in England. The result is a sleek, stylish sports car that will appeal to enthusiasts and environmentalists the world over.
Tesla designers and engineers have gone to great lengths to ensure that not only is the Tesla Roadster safe to drive, but also when charging the performance electric car, at home or on the road. Their goal is to not only meet, but to surpass the rigorous standards of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, or FMVSS, as implemented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Tesla co-founders Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, who serves as Vice President, Engineering, have brought together a team of automotive industry veterans plus Silicon Valley electronics and Internet engineers to bring the Tesla Roadster to life.
Research and Development for Tesla Motors is based at the Corporate Headquarters in San Carlos, Calif. Engines are manufactured at Tesla's facility in Taiwan, and assembly takes place at Tesla's plant in England.
Eberhard and Tarpenning provided the early funding for the company, and were joined in 2003 by Musk, CEO of SpaceX, who is the major investor in the company and serves as Chairman of Tesla Motors.
Musk worked with Eberhard and Tarpenning to attract more investors and approach Venture Capital firms, and in June 2006, Tesla Motors announced that the company had secured and additional $40 million in financing led by Musk and VantagePoint Venture Partners, one of the largest CleanTech investors in the Silicon Valley.Deliveries of the Tesla Roadster are expected to begin next summer.
About Tesla Motors
Tesla Motors was founded in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning to create efficient electric cars for people who love to drive. The Chairman of Tesla Motors, a privately held company, is Elon Musk, who has lead or co-led all three rounds of investment resulting in $60 million in funding. Mr. Musk has been instrumental in both corporate and product development at Tesla Motors.
The company currently employs 70 people, including teams in California, the U.K. and Taiwan. The background and experience of Tesla's employees mirrors the vehicle itself, drawing from diverse expertise in the electronics, automotive and Internet industries.
Tesla Motors creates vehicles that conform to all U.S. safety, environmental and durability standards. Tesla's cars include modern safety equipment such as airbags, front crumple zones, side impact protection, and 2½ mph bumpers. Tesla will sell cars in the U.S. only when they pass the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS).
For more information, visit www.teslamotors.com
Motor:
* 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor
* 13,500 rpm maximum
* Max Net Power: 185 kW
* Max Torque: 180 lb-ft
* Top speed: over 130 mph
Performance
* 0-60 mph: around four seconds
* 0-100 mph: under 11 seconds
* Range: 200-250 miles per charge (estimated)
* Home-based charging system (EVSE) with integral safety features
Transmission:
* 2 forward speeds + reverse (by reversing the motor)
* 1st gear: 4.20:1
* 2nd gear: 2.17:1
* Reverse by reversing the motor (speed electronically limited)
* Final drive: 3.41:1
Exterior:
* Body: Carbon fiber
* Unique headlamp assemblies using proprietary HID low-beam and halogen high-beam lamp units
* LED taillights, marker lights and direction indicator lights
* Length: 155.4 / 3946 (in/mm)
[UPDATED TO FIX TYPOS]
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 6)
7-20-2006 @ 2:26PM
Tush said...
I think it's a step in the right direction. Not a leap... but a large step... ok let's call it a bound.
Yes, a bound in the right direction.
EV's are great, and advances like this should ignite public interest.
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 2:35PM
Sharon in Tennessee said...
This car is awesome! I would buy one tomorrow but I also question the life of the battery, cost to recharge, and how often it has to be replaced. With a product like this I wonder how long the major auto mfg will stay in business. Just hope they do not quash this great car. When will it be affordable?
Sharon
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 2:47PM
nathan said...
why does this electric car have an obvious "flip open" gas cap on the driver's side? what's that about?
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 3:25PM
KC said...
Good itdea and definately a step in the right direction. But unless they start the "Signature 100 000" club to fund research and development that can make an electric family sedan, minivan or SUV that can pull 250 Miles on a single charge fully loaded in the middle of winter this is not ready for prime time.
This is simply a rich eco-freaks toy. It's decades away from anything that would be usefull for an average family.
And I agree with previous posters that super-capacitors will replace battery technology because they can be recharged in seconds
a combonation hydrogen fuel cell/electric motor with super-capacitor energy storage system vehicle would be a good place to aim for both range and performance
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 3:32PM
Dave said...
If I recall from the various articles the refill price is about $.01 per mile if you refill off hours and about $.02 per mile during peak hours. Recharge time is 3.5 hours. Current hybrids are saying 100,000 miles which would only be 400 charge cycles for this bad boy. I am guessing it will go longer. The price will be steep to replace the batteries but they will slowly wear out, not stop like gas guzzler parts. With the cost of maintence savings, and the $2000 a year you save in fuel cost I think the replacement cost of batteries is not a big deal. Plus in a few years the batteries you get might get you a much longer range.
For those worried about pollution at the plant, the equivialent of 2 gallons of gas would could turn a turbine and charge this car completely. The electric motor is that efficient. This doesn't even take into account nuclear, solar, hydro .....
As far as the battery waste, they would be completely recycled. 80+% of Lead/Acid batteries are recycled now.
I say bravo to these guys.
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 3:46PM
Sabre said...
To KC (comment #21):
Supercaps can be recharged quickly only if a source of power is available that can deliver the energy that quickly! The Tesla Roadster recharge time is limited by the power you get can get out of a 240V, 70A connection, not by the battery technology. Supercaps would have the same limitation. If you could provide higher power levels, then the Tesla roadster could recharge even faster.
Many of you are missing the point about this car...in order to get to an affordable family car using this much more efficient technology, you have to start at a place that's profitable and then keep improving the technology. It's not fair to judge an electric car against internal combustion cars that have had 100 years and many many billions of dollars put into their refinement. The point is that this car shows that electric cars don't have to be boring econoboxes, though those cars also have their place for urban commuting and so forth.
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 4:00PM
Goran said...
I think this is a good thing. If we had put some effort into doing more research a decade ago instead of now maybe we would've had something decent that could've been mass-produced by now. These are pioneering products and they're probably nowhere near perfect, but it's a step in the right direction. First I.C.E. cars had tons of flaws as well, but throughout time we were able to make them safer, cleaner and more efficient. With the current technology we might be able to do the same with the electric cars, just a lot faster.
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 4:48PM
Grant said...
#5 - Why do you think the batteries need to be replaced every year? The company says they will last for 500 charges, or about 100,000 miles (their conservative estimate).
#11 - They say about 1-2 cents per mile (or about $5 to "fill up").
#14 - As is, this car is much more energy efficient than even hybrid cars are now (the equivalent energy use being 135 mpg, they say). Plus they are working on a solar panel setup so you can have a truly zero emissions vehicle (including the energy source).
The batteries (900 pounds of them) are recyclable.
They haven't said what the battery replacement cost is, but you figure that in 5 years from now (when the batteries would run out if you drove the car 20k miles per year), hopefully Lithium batteries will go down in price or maybe an alternate/upgrade will exist. Yes, it won't be cheap to replace the batteries, but you don't buy spend $100k on a car if you are looking to economize. Also, consumer models should debut within a couple of years after this car goes on sale.
See Tesla's FAQs here:
http://www.teslamotors.com/learn_more/faqs.php?js_enabled=1
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 4:50PM
andrew said...
the future is finally here...
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 5:08PM
mary said...
I'd like to sign up to be a tester in the Albuquerque New Mexico Area, the solar panels would be the way to go here. Some day I hope to be able to afford to be enviromentally friendly, but until the price of the electric or flex fuel vehicles drops significantly, I will have to continue to drive my gas guzzling vehicle the 70 miles I travel to work each day. But this is definetly a step in the right direction.
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 5:32PM
Dean Colgrove said...
halogen high-beam lamp units ?
Thats all we need is some more of these blinding obnoxious lights on the highway. I also quetion the cost of battery replacement and doubt this is anywhere near green when all is said and done. Replace the headlights and make battery costs reasonable and just being away from mid east oil would make it interesting.
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 6:04PM
Stephen Minor said...
WE THE PEOPLE.....are the only ones that can change the slavery to oil and oil producing countries!!! America should lead the way to using "clean" technologies by saying "NO!" to purchasing any NEW car that doesn't use "clean" technology. Only buy used cars until the major car makers get the message. Only when they can not sell their gas guzzling new cars, will they be forced to make clean zero emission cars! And don't let them BS you with these HYBRID cars....it's just them stalling (like their gas engines). If Tesla Motors can do it in 3 years with 70 employees, you are telling me that the big car manufacturers can't do it with 1,000's of employees and assembly lines of automated robots? C'mon, I was born, but it wasn't yesterday!!
Message to our Government: If you do not force all car manufacturers to reduce vehicle emissions to zero by 2015, then you are traitors to our country and should be prosecuted as such, for undermining national security keeping us dependant on oil. What if the Arab countries chose not to sell us oil? What would power our tanks and jets in war then? This is the most serious question of National Security and THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES WILL HOLD YOU (THE GOVERNMENT) ACCOUNTABLE!
To Big Oil Companies: GET OUT OF OUR COUNTRY!!! Or change over to Clean Emissions Power Plants so you can put the Coal burning electric plants out of business! The revolution has started toward new technology and soon there will be no money in oil. Better make the change now Big Oil or get left behind!!
To Tesla Motors:
Excellent job! Just make sure you are wearing bulletproof vests because you will make oil companies, major car manufacturers, and all the super rich invested in these companies lose alot of money, so they might be gunning for you! Also, don't be surprised if terrorists start trying to bomb you too, because if you make oil obsolete, then how can they use the money from oil to build their empire to take over the world?
Sound silly? You'd be very surprised to know that the TRUTH is alot worse...
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 9:36PM
Neil said...
The car is going to have to get more than 250 miles to a charge for it to go anywhere commercially.
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 10:14PM
Betty Jean Jameson said...
If batteries come from Taiwan and they are assembled in the UK, where in the US will I get service or repair? However,I am looking foreward to owning one.
Posted at 9;14 PM on Jul 20, 2006 by Betty
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 11:35PM
Big Mike said...
When are you people going to realize, it takes more "energy" to produce the electricity to charge the batteries than if the car ran on gasoline. Electric power plants, especially coal fired, produce lots more pollution. So what are you gaining? A pure electric car will have the problem of battery disposal, since I'm not even supposed to put a AA in my trash now.
Reply
7-20-2006 @ 11:38PM
Eric said...
Te range is actually very conservative. it carries 3 times the energy of en EV-1 with batteries several hundred pounds lighter. It is scary fast and MUCH better looking than the Lotus it derives some of it's chassis from. It is a more adult look, not so boy-racer. Drive one, any other supposed sports car will be just so much ho-hum ordinary. And as an added bonus, you get to help th eenvironment, help fund electric car development and battery technology, and eventually help the company make their sedan due in 2008 or so (at family sedan prices).
Reply
7-21-2006 @ 5:33AM
Joeri de Ridder said...
Lots of succes from Belgium to the Tesla Boys!
This concept is very dear to me as the following link will explain:
http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/type/LOTU
Way to go!
Reply
7-21-2006 @ 7:29AM
art said...
OUTSTANDING! OUTSTANDING! OUTSTANDING! This type of auto is truly needed. I just hope the big oil, auto companies and federal goverment stay out of the way of progress and allow this dream this dream vehicle of the future come true/affordable for all concerned. (Remember the Tucker concept vehicle/story)
Reply
7-21-2006 @ 8:46AM
CMDR. Patrick A. Hodge said...
Dear Sir, Dear Ma'am,
When I move back to Long Beach, California; I will toss my plan for the purchace of the "All-American-Sportscar" or Corvette.
The Telsa is not only an "All-American", but a Euro- techno-sexy automobile that also accommodates for our already burdend Californian environment.
... And I actually save money – Let the greedy OPEC think twice about our "Autobahn-Fahrbeduerfnisse" (German -> "Need-For-Speed")
Death to gasoline-wasting Italian Pimp Cars!
Sincerely Yours,
CMDR. Patrick Andrew Hodge (USAV)
Reply
7-21-2006 @ 9:43AM
Lynn said...
Auto looks great and I like the concept, BUT, its another "rich boy toy". Also the car is not carbon emission free. The power to recharge the batteries comes from somewhere - probably the electrical grid which is currently overloaded and powered primarlily by carbon fueled and emitting power plants. The energy to produce the auto in a factory comes from the grid. The carbon fiber and binder is caron and primarily petroleum based. Fuel cells? They emit water vapor which is also a greenhouse gas. Other than that it looks nice.
Reply