Tesla Roadster: The World's Only Cool Electric Car

Everyone seems to want to drive a “green” car these days but Prius' and Hybrid Civics suck. However, it looks like the Tesla Roadster could be the first to be good for the enviroment and look good too. But is it worth the $90,000 price tag?

http://www.ededition.com/the-worlds-...-electric-car/

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That is a nice looking car. Bit out of my price range though

[Mr_Flibble]

I want one

When is it out in the uk ?

[kev67]

There was a programme about this on Radio 4 a few weeks ago. Unfortunately you won't be able to buy one in the UK, although I think they're built here by Lotus. It was quite an interesting programme. The people who started the company knew nothing about building cars but obviously knew how to start up businesses and how to find the people who had the expertise. I think the plan was to start with a high-end product because, with a niche product like that, they could charge more and cover their development costs.

[R33]

There are a number of privately constructed electric cars that take part in hill climbing events. They usually do well because electric motors give out maximum torque from the get go.

As soon as battery technology improves to give decent range then the electric cars time will come. The IC engine of a hybrid is their simply to extend the range of the battery

While GM has been riding the eco-wave lately with its Chevy Volt concept, there’s more electricity coming out of Detroit. Tesla Motors, manufacturer of high performance, zero-emission electric vehicles has opened its Michigan Technical Center in Rochester Hills, just north of Detroit and a local engineering Mecca.

This research and development facility will focus on future products for Tesla motors, including the “WhiteStar” (this is a code name), a four-door, five-passenger, lightweight, high-performance sedan planned for production around 2009. Word on the street is that the price of this electric sedan will be around $50,000, which is about half what it costs to get into their current car, the Roadster.

Besides the good news that Tesla is expanding, and planning on bringing down the price of future electric vehicles, there’s a bigger story here.

Detroit is the motor city, and most of Southeastern Michigan lives on money that is directly or indirectly tied auto companies. So there is a loyalty to the big three when it comes to buying a new vehicle. Oh, sure, there are rogue Hondas and VW’s tooling around…but Ford, GM and Chrysler drivers are the majority because these are the companies that feed local families.

Now, Tesla will feed local families, too. The more successful it is, the more jobs are created, and that opens up the options for broad minded residents. The sting of straying from the big three is alleviated when it buying an electric car is also supporting the local economy. And if it’s ok to go electric in Detroit, could this crack the shell of hardened “Buy-American” types everywhere?

Tesla associating with other American automakers might help the idea of driving an electric car seem…well, normal.

Of course, while it’s all very exciting up front, once again we’re looking a few years down the road to see this more affordable Tesla vehicle realized. Alternative energy is big talk these days, and while we continue to hear some great concepts and exciting production vehicles to come, we are going to have to remain patient to see the fruits of any action.

[fireandrain]

Looks like the Big 3 better got moving, or they're going to lose ground to another competitor. Except this one is a hometown competitor - which is exactly what we need around here.

The Telsa is a good idea, I'll give it that but it's not practical in that it's nothing more than an electric Lotus Elise which is a very tiny car not suitable for the average size family driver.

[Mr_Flibble]

It's not practical for average size family driver.
Ok, how many of these average size family cars do you see on a road with just one person in it ?

It's a start.

[R33]

Originally Posted by Mr_Flibble

It's not practical for average size family driver.
Ok, how many of these average size family cars do you see on a road with just one person in it ?

It's a start.

How many Family size cars NEVER carry more then one person?

None of them!

The point of a medium to large size car is flexibility.