Tesla Motors Starts "Regular Production" of Electric Roadster
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 03.18.08
Ze'ev Drori, Tesla Motors' president and CEO, has announced that the company has met its deadline of March 17th for regular production of the electric Roadster. The very first unit off the assembly line was delivered to Tesla chairman Elon Musk in early February, but we can only assume that this was not part of what they call "regular production" (a test run maybe?).
What's next? "At this point our attention is expanding into the sales and service arena marked by the opening of our Los Angeles store and Menlo Park store in the near future," Drori said.
We can hope that production will ramp up and further raise the profile of electric vehicles, showing to the general public that they are feasible and desirable.
Then it will be the job of Tesla's second and third models to show that they can also be affordable (or maybe BYD or Miles will beat them to that). ::We have begun regular production of the Tesla Roadster
See also: ::Here's What Happens to a Tesla Electric Car Battery at the End of its Life, ::Video: Robert Scoble Rides in Tesla Electric Roadster with Elon Musk
This is the way to go. Use a contract for 100% regenerative energy and you are way ahead. The future lies in electro and air, not biofuel. Why take a halfhearted step in the middle? You need more miles than both of them offer? Take a train!
Great news this, that more companies are making serious forays into plug in EVs. A Company such as ZAP (http://www.zapworld.com) for instance has done pioneering work in the electric vehicle segment, so that when oil is touching new highs everyday and petrol is quickly becoming prohibitively expensive, consumers have a cheaper, more viable alternative that is easy on the pocket too!
Bio fuels can be derived from residential yard waste and residential and commercial (including farm) waste products. With an emphasis on energy efficiency in building codes this source of fuel could provide an increasing percentage of the energy supply. For this reason research into biofuel production is not totally wasted. However, dedicated biofuel energy farms should not be allowed.
You should read a review of Zap's machine before applauding. More marketing than product. Zap's Xebra has a real range of about 16 miles, and can't get above ±35mph, falling to the teens going uphill. Useless.
Tesla didn't achieve its production deadline. Not only was March 17th the latest in ever-changing deadlines, but it promised to deliver the car to a paying customer. Instead, it gave a pre-production unit to the company boss a couple of months ago, and claimed that it kept its promise. With honesty like this, I can only look forward to their pitiful demise.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/tesla-birth-watch-39-boil-some-hot-water/
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/reviews/2008-zap-xebra-review/
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/tesla-birth-watch-30-tesla-misses-another-production-date/
I actually saw a Telsa on the road back in November (an early prototype) and I have to admit, I literally screamed out of sheer delight. And then I was a huge nerd and rolled up next to the beautiful vehicle, rolled down my window, and asked the driver if he'd mind if I took a picture with my cell phone. You can see those pics on http://greenhome.huddler.com
I love you anti-Tesla wingnuts. You are so terribly infantilized.
For once, a company has put quality and reliability ahead of short-term income/marketing/market-share grab. Yea, they have delayed several times. Of course, any company attempting what Tesla is attempting would expect these kinds of issues. But noooo. Joe Dopewipe, squeaking from the peanut gallery, has to take pot shots at them because they are not PERFECT.
But if they had rushed it to market, and then there were problems, Joe Dopewipe would blast them for that.
Well, Joe, maybe grab the next rocket ship to planet Perfectalon 7. You're certainly never going to be happy here. And honestly, none of us really want you to stay. Bon voyage.