19 Mar 2008
The growing credibility of the electric car industry was underlined this week after Tesla Motors announced it has begun production of its all electric sports car and automotive giants BMW and Mitsubishi Motors revealed plans to break into the electric vehicle market.
Writing on his blog Tesla Motors president and chief executive Ze’ev Drori, said that the company had begun regular production of the Tesla Roadster and was now planning to ramp up production "in a deliberate and controlled manner" to reach a rate of over 100 Roadsters per month by early next year.
The sports car – which uses a lithium ion battery that delivers a 220 mile range on a single charge and can reach 60mph in 3.9 seconds – has attracted considerable interest over the past few years with a reported 900-strong waiting list for the $98,000 car.
The announcement comes as BMW signalled it may launch an all-electric car as it seeks to curb its carbon emissions.
Speaking at an update to the financial markets, chief executive Norbert Reithofer said that the group would decide later this year whether or not to launch an all electric car after research projects showed that it would be technically feasible for the company.
The company is already working on a hybrid model that is scheduled to be launched next year, but the launch of a zero emissions battery powered vehicle would represent a major addition to the luxury car manufacturers green credentials.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Motors said yesterday that it would display two of its new electric minicars at the 2008 New York International Auto Show next week.
The company said the i MiEV electric minicar will launch in Japan next year boasting a 330volt lithium ion battery capable of delivering a 100m range and better performance than comparable gasoline powered minicars. In addition, the i MiEV Sport concept car is a coupe version of the i MiEV that the company claims will deliver better performance by using two electric motors, one in each wheel.
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Tesla order qty is wrong in article
As much as the folks at Tesla would like it, their reported reservation qty is 900, not 9000! [Thanks, we have now made the correction - Ed]
Posted by sabre, 19 Mar 2008