Tesla Motors - High Performance Electric Sports Car

Recently I came across what I would consider a huge leap forward for the planet - proof that our addiction to petroleum-based fuels has a rehab program: the resurgence of the electric car. Now this is not anything new by any stretch - electric vehicles have been around for quite some time now. However, a very smart, very well funded startup has emerged from Silicon Valley that will change the way we look at small, low performance, short ranged electric vehicles of days past.

Tesla Motors have invented and developed The Tesla. This battery-powered sex-on-wheels not only looks fantastic, it apparently outperforms similar petrol-powered counterparts. And if you charge this thing using solar power - your running fuel costs are exactly ZERO!

Here are some quick specs:

• 0-100 km/h (60 mph) in 3.9 seconds!!
• 350 km (220 miles) per charge (4-8 hours depending on 110 or 240v source - standard in homes)
• Instant torque - 13 000 RPM red line
  
• Approx 1 cent per kilometre operating cost (unless you use solar)
• No toxic outputs (batteries can be recycled), no oil to change, 1 moving part in the engine
  
• Circa $109k purchase price (USD - available only in US at the moment)
  

THIS is the future of short haul travel in style. There are plans to get 999 of these beauties out into the marketplace then begin the development of an SUV-style vehicle for more family oriented consumers.

The only downside I can see at the moment is that you can't have this serviced at any old garage: only Tesla certified engineers can work on it without voiding any sort of warranty. Plus, being only currently available in the US sadly means I won't be getting one any time soon. Hopefully the auto industry will see this as a wake up call and get the fully electric cars out of the production line by 2010.

Opinion:
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Uniqueness: 5/5
Interest Factor: 5/5
Stability: 5/5
User Experience: 4/5
Longevity: 5/5