click above image to view video
It seems that every fall we get a slight reprieve from the ridiculous gas prices of the summer season, but this year prices seem to be headed further north. With the bleak outlook at the pump, it's comforting to see a Tesla Roadster on public roads. Veronica Belmont from Mahalo Daily (also a semi-regular on Leo Laporte's This Week in Tech podcast) got some very exclusive time with Zak Edson of Tesla Motors to discuss the famous roadster, and a chauffeured ride came as part of the package.
The Tesla Roadster is decidedly quiet, even though its 13,000 rpm motor can propel the car to 60 mph in less than four seconds. Edson also showed how letting a foot off the accelerator gives the battery a regenerative charge that also helps keep wear and tear on the brakes to a min. Since the Tesla roadster is 100% electric, the two-seater will always need access to a battery charger to remain relevant, and Edson shared Tesla's plan to include a 220-volt charge system with every vehicle purchase. We like the way the LED display in the charge compartment changes colors to show the driver where the lithium ion battery pack is in the charge cycle, as well as the charge port that lights up a different color depending on how charged the batteries are.
Check out the vid after the jump and enjoy seeing the Tesla Roadster actually being used. What a concept!
[Soure: Mahalo Daily]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Phil L. @ Nov 6th 2007 12:07PM
Nice ride. Hmmmm - The shoulder belt is visibly not in place during their ride. Buckle up, Veronica!
The Other Bob @ Nov 6th 2007 12:33PM
I have to wonder if eventually electric cars will have to come with some sort of noise maker so pedestrians hear them coming.
Russell @ Nov 6th 2007 1:21PM
Why, you can bearly hear the appliance cars of today anyway.
geekmorgan @ Nov 6th 2007 3:13PM
Why would you talk about how quiet the car is when it runs, then play STUPID LOUD MUSIC during the only part where you could actually appreciate the silence when you're driving. That just ruined it for me.
PiCASSO @ Nov 6th 2007 9:08PM
I agree with you, geekmorgan. That music ruined the "quiet" effect of the electric car for me.
raz @ Nov 6th 2007 12:47PM
OK, this car uses no gas, it is offensive to all those who oppose any standards on fuel economy. This car may result in cleaner air and may result in US reducing its oil consumption. Which makes it a hateful symbol, (like swastika or a white hood) for all those who posted yesterday in reply to Hillary’s proposal to increase MPG to 55.
To most normal people…..and it seems like they will win in 2008 this car is the symbol of clean air, of freedom, of future.
This is by no means a political comment by me, I am not a Democrat, never was, and no I will never vote for Ron Paul either. The public wants to see US free of oil, the public is tired of financing US army AND those who shoot at them. Democrats have finally realized it, as have some Republicans. Heck even Bush want to increase MPG to 4% a year. But auto industry and SUV fan boys will do and say anything to stop that. No one tells them to drive smaller cars…just SUVs that get better MPG… and that offends them, clean air offends them, US not being held by the balls by middle eastern sheiks offends them.
Yesterday after reading that article on Hillary I was laughing, it was so funny, because automakers are fighting Bush’s weak plan tooth and nail, not even realizing that the second Bush steps down any President will increase MPG substantially, whether Republican or Democrat. It will be the end of cars and trucks that get 15 MPG.
Any automaker with brains will invest into fuel saving tech….whether hybrid or diesel or regular gas engine that is cable of running more efficiently.
Do I oppose SUVs and Trucks…am I offended by Tundra’s and f-150’s and Titans…NO. I am not, I simply want to see these trucks get MPG in mid 20s, so we can all breath fresh air, so we can turn on TV and see US Soldiers turning Iraq into a Democracy…..we are tired of seeing news where US soldiers are casualties of war.
Automakers…yes you too Toyota, you need to stop putting yourselves ahead of the nation, develop more efficient engines or perish like dinosaurs.
naggs @ Nov 6th 2007 1:42PM
sorry, who are these people who are offended by this car again?
seems to me they exist only in your head
RACER X @ Nov 6th 2007 1:04PM
Not a political post? My ass it wasn't a political post.
How the Hell did you find a correlation between oil consumption and establishing democracy in Iraq?
Basically you just said "If we use less oil the insurgents in Iraq will immediately cease their resistance and democracy will be established!" I could keep going on and on about your post, because it's damn ridiculous but I just don't have the energy to type that 4,000 word reply. That's how long it would take to point out your flaws.
Jerk Face @ Nov 6th 2007 1:19PM
Yeah, you said it buddy. Man...
..
Anyway, this car looks effing awesome. I wonder how much it'll cost?
Russell @ Nov 6th 2007 1:24PM
This car will cost a bundle, you ll have to wait for the Volt.
The Volt will be the car for the average Joe.
Russell @ Nov 6th 2007 1:25PM
Plus this requires a special 220volt charger where the Volt will use a regular 110v plug
Big Rocket @ Nov 6th 2007 9:24PM
Russell @ Nov 6th 2007 1:25PM wrote: "Plus this [Tesla Roadster] requires a special 220volt charger where the Volt will use a regular 110v plug"
The Tesla Roadster does *not* require 220V. It can plug into a regular 110V outlet, the same outlet your regular household electronics are plugged into. From Tesla Motors' FAQ: "How do you recharge it? Unlike EVs of the past, the Tesla Roadster has a built-in battery charging system that can basically plug into any outlet... There is also an optional mobile charging kit that allows you to charge from any available electrical outlet (110V or 220V) wherever you happen to be."
http://www.teslamotors.com/learn_more/faqs.php
Big Rocket @ Nov 6th 2007 9:30PM
Russell @ Nov 6th 2007 1:25PM wrote: "Plus this [Tesla Roadster] requires a special 220volt charger where the Volt will use a regular 110v plug"
The Tesla Roadster does *not* require 220V. It can plug into a regular 110V outlet, the same outlet your regular household electronics are plugged into. From Tesla Motors' FAQ: "How do you recharge it? Unlike EVs of the past, the Tesla Roadster has a built-in battery charging system that can basically plug into any outlet... There is also an optional mobile charging kit that allows you to charge from any available electrical outlet (110V or 220V) wherever you happen to be."
http://www.teslamotors.com/learn_more/faqs.php
why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 6th 2007 11:50PM
A 110V outlet is useless for charging this thing. You can only draw 1800W from a standard 110V outlet. The Tesla has a 53,000Wh battery. It would take 29 hours to charge from a 110V outlet, assuming 100% efficiency (which isn't even achievable).
raz @ Nov 6th 2007 1:19PM
If we use less oil the insurgents in Iraq will immediately cease their resistance and democracy will be established!---------Almost, if we use less oil the insurgents in Iraq will have to use knives and stones instead of IED's, sholder fired missiles and such.......see the difference?
I bet that would affect the death rate of US soldiers.
Dude please do reply to me, tell me all the benefits of decreasing MPG, please do.
Jerk Face @ Nov 6th 2007 1:20PM
He wasn't saying decreasing MPG is good, he was just saying that your crazy and irrelevant post was stupid.
raz @ Nov 6th 2007 1:31PM
Jerk, all those who oppose the increase do in effect support decrease. They oppose governmental regulation on MPG, but we got to current MPG by governmental law...that want that law out and they want to go back to 60's and 70's of 9 MPG.
Jimmy Carter was a bum to say the least, but him increasing MPG was one of the best things to ever happen to USA. I doubt any normal person will want to go back to those times when cars of the same proportion as todays would get 10 MPG less.
Sean Flanagan @ Nov 6th 2007 2:44PM
I oppose an increase in MPG standards, and I am in staunch opposition to automakers sitting on their hands waiting for technology to come to them. Recent years have seen an increase in power and frugality, especially with 4- and 6-cylinder engines. Let the automakers do it on their own based on market demand, not government control. And don't give them government handouts and increase my taxes to pay for them.
This car is one of the great symbols of gearheads working towards a goal of relying less on fossil fuels, while maintaining enthusiast levels of performance. All this came with a budget that is less than those of the major automakers, and no government spending was needed to get them there.
evlmnky @ Nov 6th 2007 1:32PM
I would love to own one of these. Looks great, drives fast and uses no gas. Plus its perfect for day to day driving and even short distance trips. Too bad i would never be able to afford one w/ their $98k plus price tag :(
Mobius_1 @ Nov 7th 2007 9:16AM
Should start buying lottery tickets!!!
Sweet car