With a name like Tesla I half-expect it to fire off bolts of lightning or something. Tesla Motors re-invents the electric car with a model that does 0-60mph in four seconds and gets 250 miles on a charge. It can charge in just a few hours and use any 110V or 220V outlet.
I can’t find a price on the website, so let’s just assume it will be expensive. I guess it appeals to a wealthier — and perhaps higher-risk — user…err…driver.
The kind of person who could afford to be an early-adopter. It is a good tactic, so perhaps, one day, we’ll get a nice affordable electric sedan out of the whole thing.
It will save you gasoline, I guess. But the energy has to come from somewhere, so it doesn’t necessarily get us off of the petroleum teat. Their FAQ has a good point, electric engines are more efficient anyway. One big power plant is also much more efficient (and less polluting) than thousands of little power plants (gas engines).
However, we’ll still need oil to power our power plants…and to make plastic and lubricants for all our little electric cars. But that’s another discussion.
This might very well be the clean, quiet, guilt-free machine of my dreams.
update
According to Wired, the car will go for around 80 grand. Don’t worry, George Clooney plans to buy one.