The Tesla Roadster

Update: Mark Morford has this to say about the Tesla:

This car? It's completely silent. It is 100-percent emissions-free. Doesn't even have a tailpipe. Because it has no internal combustion engine of any kind.

It's not a hybrid. It's pure electric, powered by a "3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor," which I'm sure is rather impressive if you know what the hell it means. But it means one thing for certain: The only oil in this car is in the buffing fluid for the leather seats.

To read what else he has to say, read "Lick My Silent Sports Car".

After General Motors recalled all its EV1's, which was made possible because they were available by lease only, the only option for zero-emission battery-powered cars has been of the Tyco variety, if you know what I mean.

Now, the new electric car will soon be here. The Tesla Roadster by Silicon Valley's Tesla Motors. Their webpage is here. The cars will be manufactured in England.

It goes zero-to-sixty in four seconds. Are you kidding me?! [Electric motors have terrific torque at low rpms.] Runs 250 miles on a charge. Costs 1 to 2 cents a mile. Recharges in 3 1/2 hours. [You do have a 220V outlet in your garage, don't you?] Has traction control to prevent squeeling tires, two forward gears, one reverse, and a top speed of over 130 mph. Has zero emissions. Should cost about $80K.

And they should hit the market next summer.

Howard needs to raise his architect design fees now to be ready for the big roll-out.