Tesla Roadster?

Question

http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php

Has anyone else heard of this car? It's way out of my price range, but I think it's awesome. I believe it just might be part of a solution to a whole range of problems, like the decline of the American car industry, oil dependence, high gas prices, and global warming. The company has plans to eventually offer economy cars in several years. No, I don't work for them or anything (I wish) but I just want to know if anyone else has heard of or is as enthusiastic about them as me.

Answer 1

Yes, I have heard about the car.  It is pretty nifty, and has nice styling for an economic car.  I was surprised how generous the price was for such a ingenius car.  I think it will do well and I would love to see what else they come out with.

Answer 2

Yeah those things are hype!  Id buy one if I was rich.  GM is making a new electric car called the VOLT.  it looks fairly promising too.

Answer 3

The Tesla is a great car... on of the few to live up to the hype in various car critic magazines. It is clear that Electric Cars are the way of the future. Battery technology just caught up, and motors are efficient, have superior torque curves and no emissions (although there are some emissions from the power stations, but economies of scale, and regenerative breaking reduce the usage to about a quarter that of a petrol powered car).  

The link posted above is fantastic. Also check out the other link below. They are going to be interviewing locals who are converting their cars from petrol to electric, and open sourcing designs.

Also see the doco who killed the electric car.

Answer 4

Yeah mate I've heard of them and I live on the other side of the world. (Australia) I'm a bit of an enthusiast though.

Here is a link to ev world it will give you some leads on other types that are around.

http://www.evworld.com/evguide.cfm?evtyp...

There are quite a few good companies in the U.S that make electric cars. There are a few that offer conversion kits you might want to check out these guys

http://www.metricmind.com/index1.htm

Things like this are only a stop gap though. Just wait and see if somebody can get a powered road/rail system up and running. These cars are OK but imagine what they could do if they didn't have to carry the batteries around. Not just performance wise. Range only limited by the network potentially coast to coast.

BRING IT ON

Note: I'm not on the payroll either

Answer 5

Base Price is 98,000 dollars.

I drive a 530xi, cost 51,460 dollars.

So I am left with 46,540 dollars for gas.

Assume $3.00 per gallon (I live in SC)

I could buy 15,513 gallons of gas (at 27.6 miles per gallon--this is actual average, I calculate).

So I could drive 400,000 miles prior to that electric car being cheaper.  Assuming I don't have to pay for electricity and the 3 battery change-outs that would be required.

Personally, if I want 4 second acceleration, I'll buy a M5.  And it will go farther and save me money.  Who knows, your Tesla will probably be charged from a coal fired electric plant.

Answer 6

I think of all the electric cars that I've seen this one has the best chance of surviving. What a gorgeous inspiring car!  0-60 in 4 seconds with a 250-mile range is great but it will get even better. Especially if they get the new EEstor batteries. The Roadster's expensive now, but the company's also coming out with a sedan for about $65,000 and plan on introducing new and cheaper models every year so maybe in 5-10 years I can think about it. Until then I can dream!

Someone posted a link on how to convert a gas car to electric. For a "working class" person this would be more realistic....

But yes, I'm in love and just as enthusiastic as you are!!!