The Tesla Roadster electric car has now gone into full public production, and with a chassis based on the acclaimed Lotus Elise and performance to match, this could be the first all electric car you would actually want to own. It also seems that with perfect timing Tesla has launched its new products into a world where, with uncertain petrol supplies and global warming, the electric car has suddenly become more appealing.

There have been a number of attempts in the past to produce a viable electric car, however the technology and public demand meant that these versions were never a great success. The biggest drawback was due to poor battery technology, which meant that such cars were lacking considerably in performance to keep up with modern traffic, and had a woefully poor range to match.

Now Tesla has launched its roadster, capable of hitting sixty in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 125mph, it has certainly challenged perceived stereotypes of an electric car. Ironically much of the delays that prevented the roadster from being launched back in 2007 were not due to the batteries, but were in fact beacause the electric motor was too powerful.

Initially it was expected that a two speed transmission would be required to enable the 248bhp electric motor to meet Tesla’s performance targets, however the high levels of torque produced by the motor meant that a single speed option has now been used. In order to keep to their performance figures, Tesla have raised the maximum supplied current from the roadster’s batteries.

The electric power comes from 6831 lithium ion cells, which give a maximum range of 220 miles. The batteries can be recharged by a conventional household electricity supply and the total charge time is around 8 hours. Like all rechargeable batteries, the lithium ion cells do have a finite life of around 5 years or 100,000 miles, although by the time they need replacing battery technology should have advanced even further.

Basing the Roadster’s chassis on the tremendous Lotus Elise, meant that the Tesla has endowed the Roadster with excellent handling, and thanks to the weight saving aluminium design and instant power of the electric motor, it has the performance to match a modern supercar. Inside, the cockpit is very sparse with energy draining luxuries like electric windows or air conditioning absent, the Tesla roadster even utilises low energy car bulbs.

Sadly such cutting edge technology does not come cheap, and new Tesla roadster will cost the same as a brand new Porsche 911 turbo, however Tesla does plan to release a more affordable saloon, coupe and SUV in the future.

Certainly the Tesla Roadster leads the way in electric car technology, however with the cleaner and more economical hydrogen fuel cell engine technology advancing at a quite a pace, the Tesla may not hold the key to our motoring future.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars

I had said that when they come out with an electric car with pickup like a sports car, I would be the first one in my neighborhood to buy one. Guess what, this scenario is now a reality. The amazing new Tesla is a sexy machine with the dream ability to run totally on electric batteries. I guess Ill have to hold onto my Toyota Camry Hybrid a little while longer, though. The new technology is still quite pricey with only the rich and famous able to support the six figure price tag.

But the ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, travel 220 miles on one charge and operate at on 2 cents per mile with a 256 mpg gas equivalent makes this car seem almost within reach.

First unveiled as a prototype in 2006, the revolutionary Tesla Roadster generated an extraordinary response from people everywhere who were inspired by the vision that beautiful, high performance cars could generate zero emissions and burn no oil.

Less than two years later, this vision has become a reality as Tesla Motors begins production of this breakthrough electric vehicle. The 2008 model year is sold out and Tesla is currently taking reservations for the 2009 model year Tesla Roadster. To date, over 900 Tesla Roadsters have been reserved in total. It is the only zero emission electric vehicle in production today.

Through the course of development of the Roadster, Tesla Motors has established a leadership position in EV technology which it plans to extend over the next years, leading to the introduction of its next model, a five passenger sports sedan, in 2010.

With a 0 to 60 mph acceleration of 3.9 seconds, a 13,000 rpm redline, and the fastest top gear acceleration of any production car tested by Car & Driver magazine in 2007, the Tesla Roadster is unique in providing super car performance at twice the energy efficiency of the best hybrids.

Our key focus with the Roadster will be on gradually ramping up our production in a deliberate and controlled manner reaching a rate of over 100 Roadsters per month early next year, says Tesla President and CEO Zeev Drori.

At this point our attention is expanding into the sales and service arena marked by the opening of our Los Angeles and Menlo Park stores. We are determined to provide a customer sales and service experience that will not only raise the bar to the automobile business but will far exceed the best available anywhere.

Tesla will further expand its existing technological lead as we build and deliver thousands of Roadsters per year. With innovative EV technology, a strong brand, and being ahead of the pack, Tesla has established an extraordinary platform for future success.

At this point, the only downside to owning a car is living in close proximity to Southern California, for it you need to undergo repairs or maintenance, youll have to ship it out there to be worked on. Aach the agony of being first!

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Gasoline prices skyrocketing? No need to worry – with a motor or electric scooter one gallon of gas will last for weeks.

As people start driving electric scooters, they find more and more reasons to like them. They’re practical, easy to park and get great gas mileage. With gasoline price raising day by day, the popularity of playful, fuel-efficient electric scooters has soared. According to industry experts, last year’s sales have doubled compared to a year ago, and only in 2005 more than 300,000 electric scooters were sold.

The hard-core scooter enthusiast enjoys the feel of scooting which many people compare to skating on land. For those who live downtown, scooters make the everyday commute fun and easy, and most models are compact enough to be taken onto public transport and then stored under a desk for the rest of the working day – and you can recharge the battery. Electric and motor scooters allow you to save money on gas – even Vespa, the grand dame of scooters, easily sips one gallon of gas during 50 miles of city ride.

Some people turn to scooters after losing their driving privileges; some find the scooter more romantic than bike and enjoy so-called scooter dates. Many people in the Far East switched to electric scooters for the fear of SARS, and this summer many scooter enthusiasts proudly looked up at their fellow city dwellers, as they were suffocating in jammed streetcars and buses.

No matter why people choose motor and electric scooters today, the thriving sales have resulted in many new models with exiting features and design.

One of the most popular scooter models is the eGO-2 Cycle, which combines the best features of a bike and an electric scooter. Ego can be used as a bicycle but has all the equipment of a scooter, including headlights, turn signals, brakes and throttle. With aluminum silver-plated chassis, this work of art can easily make up to 25mph climbing hill – and weighing less than 120 lbs! The ego retails for around $1400 depending on a retailer.

Another two-wheeled whiz kid on the block is a Xootr, a cross between a skateboard and an electric scooter. Although Xootr can take you around at the speed of 10 km it has neither suspension nor real brakes but with its extremely light-weight, these disadvantages are easy to live with. And when the batteries run low, you can still propel it with kicking.

Speaking of scooters, it’s impossible to miss out the famous Vespa. These two-wheeled wonders of Italian design have enchanted Europeans since the end of 1940s, when designers Corradino D’Ascanio and Enrico Piaggio created an affordable two-wheeled vehicle for the masses. And Hollywood loves Vespa too, putting Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday and Nicole Kidman in The Interpreter on equally stylish Vespas.

Indeed, women comprise more than 60 per cent of all scooter owners. And with affordable prices – most scooters range from $800 to a $1000, while bigger and faster scooters can cost as much as $10,000 – scooters have quickly carved out their niche on today’s city road.

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Fuel prices are going very high? No need to worry – with an electric scooter No need to depend on a fuel any more. As people start driving electric scooters, they find more and more reasons to like them. They’re realistic, easy to park and get great mileage. With gasoline price raising day by day, the fame of playful, fuel-efficient electric scooters has climbed. According to industry experts, last years sales have double compared to a year ago.

The scooter fan enjoys the feel of scooting which many people compare to skating on land. For those who live downtown, scooters make the everyday travel fun and easy, and most models are dense enough to be taken onto public transport and then stored under a desk for the rest of the working day – and you can recharge the battery. Electric scooters allow you to save money on gas ; Like the Ezip Scooters they go from 400 W – 1000 W of power ; which gives you great durability and power.

Some people turn to scooters after losing their driving privileges; some find the scooter more romantic than bike and enjoy so-called scooter dates. Many people in the Far East switched to electric scooters for the fear of SARS, and this summer many scooter fans proudly looked up at their fellow city dwellers, as they were overpowering in jammed streetcars and buses.

One of the popular electric scooters for kids is the two-wheeled on the block is a Ezip, a cross between a skateboard and an electric scooter. Ezip Scooters are in different power volated and they are : Ezip 400 , Ezip 500 , Ezip 750 , Ezip 900 and the Ezip 1000. Ezip Scooters go on an average for 15 mph up to 8 – 12 miles on full charge. And when the batteries run low, you can still propel it with kicking.  These scooters are very durable and they run on average between $300 – $450. For this low price you can never go wrong with these electric scooters.

Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Vehicles | Street Legal Electric Cars