Energy Secretary is close to approving $450 million to Tesla to help build their new model S due to come out in 2011
jump for links and more info...
Energy Secretary is close to approving $450 million to Tesla to help build their new model S due to come out in 2011.
I hope Obama Admin puts our taxpayer money into this
The car is quite expensive $49,000 after tax rebate with the full 300 mile range costing over 60k.
There are 3 level of batteries: base level goes 160 miles next level is 220 with top of line at 300.
One must have a special charger installed in your garage costing around $3000 and another level of charger takes only 8 hrs costing around $1500. You must have a 240 volt outlet similar to washer or dryer outlet.
A 20ft cable comes with the car so you can charge on the go but takes 40 hours. Charging at home, for now, is best option until Government builds stations..
In link below Tesla's CEO Elon Musk, 37 year-old is seen giving test drives to investors.
In another they show how car works
Tesla test drive vid below
http://www.youtube.com/...
Inside Tesla
http://www.youtube.com/...
Teslamotors.com
Acceleration & Torque
Instant Freedom
The first time you drive the Tesla Roadster, prepare to be surprised. You're at freeway speed in seconds without even thinking about it. There is no clutch pedal to contend with and no race-car driving techniques to perform. Just the touch of your foot and you're off, without any of the sluggishness of an automatic.
How powerful is the acceleration? A quick story to illustrate. A favorite trick here at Tesla Motors is to invite a passenger along and ask him to turn on the radio. At the precise moment we ask, we accelerate. Our passenger simply can't sit forward enough to reach the dials. But who needs music when you're experiencing such a symphony of motion.
Rest assured that this responsiveness works at all speeds, as noticeable when you're inching your way through parking lots as when flying along freeways.
100% Torque, 100% of the Time
The Tesla Roadster delivers full availability of performance every moment you are in the car, even while at a stoplight. Its peak torque begins at 0 rpm and stays powerful at 14,000 rpm.
This is the precise opposite of what you experience with a gasoline engine, which has very little torque at a low rpm and only reaches peak torque in a narrow rpm range. This forces you to make frequent gear changes to maintain optimal torque. With the Tesla Roadster, you get great acceleration and the highest energy efficiency at the same time. All while requiring no special driving skills to enjoy it. This makes the Tesla Roadster six times as efficient as the best sports cars while producing one-tenth of the pollution.
Tesla was named after 19th and early 20th century electricle inventor Nikola Tesla.
The first Tesla was a two-seater and was assembled by Lotus in England. The car was finished by Tesla Motors in San Carlos CA.
People, lets hope Obama is going to invest in this new technology. America can be on the cutting edge with this technology but they need support.
Call and write Energy Secretary Chu to push for approval of funds for Tesla.
Tesla already has 500 reservation orders with payments of $5000 each.
Hopefull price will be lowered overtime with government investment.
Call Secretary Chu here:
Contact Us
For information about the Department of Energy and its programs; for assistance in locating information on the web site; or to contact the Secretary of Energy:
By Mail: U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20585
By Phone: 1-800-dial-DOE (1-800-342-5363)
1-202-586-5000 (Main Switchboard)
National Phone Directory
By Fax: 202-586-4403
By E-mail: You can send an email to the Secretary of Energy
at The.Secretary@hq.doe.gov
Public Information Inquiries:
202-586-5575