The first performance electric car manufactured by Tesla Motors, the high-performance, zero-emissions Tesla Roadster, was unveiled before a throng of well-wishers, car buffs, and potential customers recently during Tesla Motors's "Signature One Hundred" event at Barker Hangar.
More than 350 invited guests spent the evening learning about the new sports car, speaking with Tesla Motors executives, and going for rides along the tarmac at the Santa Monica Airport. Many signed up to be among the first to receive a special edition Tesla Roadster, becoming Signature One Hundred Members.
Celebrities in attendance included actor Ed Begley Jr., producer Richard Donner, businessman Michael Eisner, PayPal co-founder (and Tesla Motors Chairman) Elon Musk, Participant Productions' Founder and CEO Jeff Skoll, also of eBay fame, and producer and car collector Joel Silver. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stopped by prior to the evening's activities to learn more about Tesla Motors and took a ride in the Tesla Roadster.
"We're thrilled to have the support of top people from so many different industries," said Martin Eberhard, CEO of Tesla Motors. "High-tech, CleanTech, entertainment, automotive, you name it. It's gratifying to have others realize the significance or what Tesla Motors is doing."
The electric-powered Tesla Roadster boasts the equivalent of 135 mpg and a range of 250 miles on a single charge, a combination heretofore unseen in a mass-produced electric vehicle. Its extended range is due to its state-of-the-art lithium-ion Energy Storage System. The Tesla Roadster is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in about four seconds.
"The Tesla Roadster delivers sports car performance without using any gasoline," said Eberhard. "This is what we hoped to achieve when we started the company three years ago, to build a car with zero emissions that people would love to drive."
Using a unique two-speed electrically actuated manual transmission, the Tesla Roadster's power comes from a 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor. The motor is controlled by the Power Electronics Module (PEM) which also controls the inverting direct current to 3-phase alternating current, charging and braking systems.
The Roadster's Energy Storage System (ESS) provides power to the entire vehicle, including the motor. Its durable, tamper-resistant enclosure includes: 6,831 lithium-ion cells, a network of microprocessors for maintaining charge balance and battery temperature, a cooling system, and an independent safety system designed to disconnect power outside the enclosure under a variety of detectable safety situations.
Comment #1
(Posted by an unknown user) Rating
Your story merely repeats the positive points put forward by the Tesla Mfg'r and does not offer the other side of the issue or question the viablity of the car! The car is merely a Lotus Elise composite/aluminum car mfg in England which sells for about 40-45K converted to electric power whithout ANY tecnology advances and now selling for a "projected" 80-85K which all bets are will be close to 100K by actual delivery time in late 2007(maybe). PROBLEMS: Electric cars merely move emissions from the car to the nearest power station which may be coal fired and dirtier then a current normal car! Electric cars have the following problems or concerns: 1.)They are full of heavy metals in the battery that are a hazardous materials problem, dangerous in a crash, heavy and last only a short time and have to be recycled and are expensive to replace. 2.)Range is unacceptably short(don't believe the 250 mile range!)usually 100-125 miles when driven normally. 3.)AC and heat is a problem that drastically shortens range. 4.)With the heavy metal batteries elecric cars are dangerous in an accident. 5.)Batteries are expensive to replace and don't last long. 6.)it is interesting they would not allow ANY other person to drive the car! Tom Claridge Carmel, CA
Comment #2
(Posted by an unknown user) Rating
I LOVE THIS CAR! If only I had money to buy it....It's such a dream car.
Comment #3
(Posted by an unknown user) Rating
lol
Comment #4
(Posted by kyung) Rating
Svelte, lithe, and beautiful.
My question though - How can it get a "miles per gallon" rating if it doesn't use any gasoline?
Comment #5
(Posted by an unknown user) Rating
Oh. My. God.
It's beautiful.
Comment #6
(Posted by an unknown user) Rating
This car is a step forward. It isnt perfect, but that hasnt been achieved. To the person who with the nast negative comments. Piss off. You probably work for a car comany that still uses gas. So what if its a Lotus chasis. Lotus' are cool anyway. This is just the next step in the evolution away from fossil fuels. Unless you got a better solution to any sort of polution problem this car will have to be here to inspire and some day we'll not only get rid of gas but the need of fossil fuels in general. For both locomotive and residential power.
Comment #7
(Posted by teslahead) Rating
What's funny and sad about the earlier comment is that 6 problems are listed but 3 of them are repeated. And to be fair, those 3 problems are relevant and valid but certainly things that are currently being addressed and developed. Electric car technology is really in its infancy and will only get better. There are a growing number of ways to produce electricity via sustainable methods and even if coal and natural gas burning power plants were the norm 50 years from now (unlikely), at least the emissions are centralized to a point source rather than dispersed over thousands of sources - it's easier to control and clean.
