RE: Tesla Production Begins
Tuesday 18th March 2008
An Elise Jim, but not as we know itProduction has begun of the Tesla Roadster, an electric car that uses Lotus Elise chassis technology.
Tesla Production Begins
Electric Elise-alike sold out for 2008
An Elise Jim, but not as we know it
The car was first unveiled as a prototype on Jul;y 16, 2006, and the car has endured a rocky road towards production.
However, the company says a ‘historical milestone’ has now been reached two year later, and production commenced yesterday.
The company hopes to be producing 100 roadsters a month by early next year.
The 2008 model year is now sold out and Tesla is now taking orders for 2009 cars.
The car has a 0-60mph time of 3.9 second and a 13,000rpm redline, all with an economy equivalent to 135mpg.
Ze'ev Drori, president of Tesla, said on his blog: ‘With this milestone, the Tesla Roadster is the only zero emission electric vehicle in production today – this is in stark contrast to the others who only talk about their future plans.
‘Tesla’s remarkable achievement validates the vision, ingenuity, hard work and commitment of Tesla’s employees.’
Discussion
I'd buy one if the price was equivalent to a "normal" car of its type, eg like an Elise or similar.
If the government was serious about carbon footprints, they would allow these cars to be sold completely tax free, to help drop the price, and encourage ownership. That would help it be a lot more competetive against traditional cars.
If the government was serious about carbon footprints, they would allow these cars to be sold completely tax free, to help drop the price, and encourage ownership. That would help it be a lot more competetive against traditional cars.
big_rob_sydney said:
If the government was serious about carbon footprints, they would allow these cars to be sold completely tax free, to help drop the price, and encourage ownership. That would help it be a lot more competetive against traditional cars.
You mean, like, the government actually gives a flying rat's ass when anything sensible is proposed?
I certainly appreciate the technology and it certainly seems to shift like a sports car should.
However a 'green' sportscar is missing the point somewhat. If this technology caught on, how many more power stations will we need to charge 15-20 million of these things every night?
I really don't get why the government are going all out to kill what is so important to every motorist even though industry creates 3 times the pollution our transit system does.
I can see in the future we would probably get hit with 'automotive electric' tax so a charge up will probably cost the same as a tank of fuel.
However a 'green' sportscar is missing the point somewhat. If this technology caught on, how many more power stations will we need to charge 15-20 million of these things every night?
I really don't get why the government are going all out to kill what is so important to every motorist even though industry creates 3 times the pollution our transit system does.
I can see in the future we would probably get hit with 'automotive electric' tax so a charge up will probably cost the same as a tank of fuel.
MuffDaddy said:
Which carbon free method of electricity production are they using for this?
Hey don't let the facts get in the way of a good story.Besides, is it still not more economical to get power made by one source (power station) compared to a lot of individual engine?
A step in the right direction?
Anyway, 3.9sec for 0-60 is great, especially for any £50K car.
The future of motoring guys:
Fun, lightweight emissions free vehicle (plug some nuclear into it) - not some heavy, dull barge.
All they need to do now is make a version thats completely free from Oil products - feel free to correct me but how about this:
Body - Fibreglass
Tyres - (hmmm)
Interior - dead cow, fabric covered cotton dash wrapped over alluminium crash structure etc etc I don't know but lets have less plastic and make it completely green. And lightweight. And fun.
Fun, lightweight emissions free vehicle (plug some nuclear into it) - not some heavy, dull barge.
All they need to do now is make a version thats completely free from Oil products - feel free to correct me but how about this:
Body - Fibreglass
Tyres - (hmmm)
Interior - dead cow, fabric covered cotton dash wrapped over alluminium crash structure etc etc I don't know but lets have less plastic and make it completely green. And lightweight. And fun.
Electricity from hydro electric, wind power, solar cells etc all carbon neutral if we make the effort. Would'nt it be nice however someday someone can turn electricity into a liquid combustable fuel we could keep our beloved piston engines. Hydrogens the nearest so far. Dont knock it, im sure we can have our cake and eat it too, if we stop living trying to live in the dark ages!.
dr.sickman said:
big_rob_sydney said:
If the government was serious about carbon footprints, they would allow these cars to be sold completely tax free, to help drop the price, and encourage ownership. That would help it be a lot more competetive against traditional cars.
You mean, like, the government actually gives a flying rat's ass when anything sensible is proposed?
Snoggledog said:
MuffDaddy said:
Which carbon free method of electricity production are they using for this?
I'll be harnessing the awesome power of a butterfly flapping its wings to power mine. 
http://www.good-energy.co.uk/
... I don't know about the US though.
"The car has a 0-60mph time of 3.9 second and a 13,000rpm redline, all with an economy equivalent to 135mpg".
How do they work out that MPG figure? Surely that must depend on what you get charged for your electric. Good for people on Economy 5 mind.
Bet that MPG figure is knackered in the winter when the driver wants some heat in the cabin and has to switch on the second bar.
How do they work out that MPG figure? Surely that must depend on what you get charged for your electric. Good for people on Economy 5 mind.
Bet that MPG figure is knackered in the winter when the driver wants some heat in the cabin and has to switch on the second bar.
"the Tesla Roadster is the only zero emission electric vehicle in production today ".
As suggested in other posts, this vehicle is some way off being zero (CO2) emissions. All the energy used to make it has to be accounted for (in the UK, most of our energy is still from coal). There's the energy to get parts to the manufacturing line AND to ship the cars to the US. Then, where does the energy come from to generate the electricity to propel it? Coal power stations again.
As suggested in other posts, this vehicle is some way off being zero (CO2) emissions. All the energy used to make it has to be accounted for (in the UK, most of our energy is still from coal). There's the energy to get parts to the manufacturing line AND to ship the cars to the US. Then, where does the energy come from to generate the electricity to propel it? Coal power stations again.
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