On my way home from Portland on Sunday I saw in my mirrors what I thought was a Lotus. As it went by it was the new Tesla. First one I have seen on the road, and I gotta say it was pretty sweet. Kinda strange to see a car like that go by and have no exhaust noise.

He passed me doing about 85 or so. Never saw him again. Wonder how far they can go doing that kind of speed?

I think I am in love.

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In a MN winter at minus 20 F... Two car lengths.

Don't leave your cell phone or Ipod in the car overnight either. Made that mistake more than a few times.

OMG!

Positively hillarious!

1. It should look like a Lotus to you - cuz it is a Lotus chassis - less the big ugly side vents, & only the electric stuff is added here in the USA/Calif!

2. About 200 miles at 85+/- in sunny CA temps!

3. Contrary to Rick's comments - it will run in cold weather, but range is reduced by about 10-30% - less than lead-acid battery EV's, due to the Lithium-Ion batteries (when was the last time your digital camera or cell phone stopped working completely in the cold?).

.... MN? - serves you right for living in the icy north anyhoo!

4. He was probably racing off to get the Recall taken care of, before it catches fire from the converter overheating!

My 4 cents worth!

I have seen 2 or 3 in the Portland area...there is a really cool looking orange one!

-Britain

I can throw a rock and hit the Boulder Tesla dealer.

Rode in one this summer, came out of a parking lot and hit the gas and was WOW neat, this thing goes. Then we did a U turn and one corner and I was WOW this thing is heavy, even as a passenger you could feel it.

Ferg

At $125K (base price their website) that would buy you a shit load of gas.
How long (lifetime) will the batteries last?

At that price, a 140mile range in the cold (assuming -30% loss) and only a 2 seater totally unrealistic for most families.

You got to love how people will spend massive $$ to "save" the earth...

Here is one i saw locally last weekend. A local physician owns it.
specs are normal driving conditions 300+miles on a charge- base price is $101,000 but whatever!
The new sedan- Model S will be out in 1 year, (Jan 2012), 0-60 in 5.0, 300 miles/charge as well. price; $50,000. and u get a $7500 federal tax credit.
Charge cost is about equivilant to $4.00, or 1 gal of gas in California, right?
Battery est. life is about 10 years, cost of replacement, between $3,000-$5000.

I read that the manufacture of the batteries (related article on Prius) causes more pollution and longer lasting impact then a hummer does for its entire expected utilization.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Prius