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From The Observer News
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But at $3 per gallon for gas, the idea of driving excitement is rapidly fading into a distant memory. It is perhaps the idea of driving excitement - or lack thereof - that has made many Americans hesitate in adopting fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles. And even some of the hybrids offered today are not completely living up to the promises in terms of efficiency. But in today’s world, driving excitement may not be practical. Surely any new vehicle capable of zero to 60 in less than four seconds and a top speed of nearly 130 mph is wildly out of step with the realities of ever-increasing gas prices. Or perhaps it isn’t. Enter the Tesla, a new vehicle introduced by Tesla Motors in the Silicon Valley of California. If you step on the accelerator a little too hard, your only worry will be the lights of a police car – it certainly won’t be your gas mileage. The Tesla doesn’t burn gas. It has the performance of a Porsche and a heart that runs on electricity – and it may well mark the beginning of the end of America’s fuel problems. After all, oil isn’t required to make electricity – it can come from a number of sources. And with a body designed by British-based Lotus, driving excitement is an integral part of the Tesla - particularly as you reach freeway speeds well before you leave the on-ramp. In fact, you’ll hit the speed limit in about the same amount of time as a gas-guzzling Ferrari. The Tesla was introduced last month in Santa Monica, CA, with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger among the first to hop in for a ride. The company offered the first 100 vehicles, known as the Signature 100, to anyone willing to plunk down a $100,000 deposit. Those 100 vehicles were sold within weeks, generating $10 million for the company. Beginning next summer, Tesla Motors plans to open seven dealerships across the country to sell and service the vehicles. For Floridians, the company has announced plans for a dealership in Miami. Electric vehicles have a long history in the automotive world and were offered briefly in the 1990s. Those cars were, however, hobbled with relatively low performance and a critically short range between battery charges. Even charging the batteries was a problem in that the charging system wasn’t portable. In addition to providing high-end performance, Tesla Motors has responded to those problems by providing an estimated 250-mile range and the ability to recharge wherever a standard electrical outlet can be found. There is no temperature gauge on the dashboard - because there is no radiator to overheat. There is no smoke from the tailpipe – in fact, there is no tailpipe. As such, there are no emissions to contribute to greenhouse gasses. Inside the cockpit are a speedometer and a computer screen with system monitors and a navigation system. There is a two-speed transmission that allows the driver to select different levels of performance but the motor contains no oil and no sparkplugs. It does, however, include nearly 900 pounds of rechargeable batteries. "Customers of the Tesla Roadster are doing something really good that goes beyond just buying a sports car, because their purchase helps pay for development of our affordable, mass market electric vehicles," said Tesla Motors Chairman Elon Musk. "Buying a Tesla Roadster is a vote against global warming and oil addiction." Early reports by automotive writers tend to confirm the company’s performance claims. But they also mention the lack of a "vroom" from the engine – which instead emits a barely audible whine. While for some, the lack of noise is a perfect accompaniment to the clean running sports car, for others, it is something to be missed. Almost certainly, however, digital engine noise could one day be an option for those who enjoy the audible aspects of high performance. The best part is, a digital soundtrack could provide the sound of, say, a Porsche twin turbo or a Ferrari V8 depending on the mood. Tesla plans to begin delivery of the vehicles in mid-2007. There are also plans in the works for a less expensive BMW-style sedan in the coming years. The company is privately held and has 80 employees in California, the United Kingdom and Taiwan. At least one other American company has also announced plans for the production of performance all-electric vehicles. DaimlerChrysler already offers a low speed, neighborhood electric vehicle. While the estimated operating cost of one cent per mile is a fraction of any other high performance vehicle, the fun does not come without a price. Pricing for the Tesla has not yet been released but industry analysts expect the ticket to high-powered gasoline independence will run a cool $100,000. Put another way, the cost will be roughly equivalent to one new hybrid plus approximately 25,000 gallons of gasoline at current prices. But there isn’t a hybrid made that can match the Tesla’s performance or environmental friendliness. And a hybrid certainly doesn’t offer the joy of bypassing the pump. And that is a joy that can only increase as gas prices continue to rise. For more information visit Tesla Motors at www.teslamotors.com. © Copyright 2006 by The Observer News Publications and M&M Printing |
