if I find out this car has handling that is on-par with say, the Elise or S2000... I just may have found the next toy I'll be buying.

0 to 60 in >4 seconds is nice too.

http://www.dpccars.com/car-movies/10-04-06...la-Roadster.htm

(something tells me though that the weight of the batteries probably gives this car less-than-ideal cornering abilities... but that's pure speculation on my part)

 

The chassis is designed by Lotus, so I have faith it'll handle really well.

 

This thing is $100k.

 

Windingroad.com has a review in this month's edition.

 

the fact that they try to market this car as zero emission is BS. there may be no emission coming out of the tailpipe (or lack thereof), but the electrical powerplant that produces the electricity for the car may most likely produce emission of some level.

 

^yes but probably less emissions than what comes out the tailpipe of an automobile/mile.

It's much easier for the government to regulate power plant emissions than tailpipe emissions, not to mention the Natural Gas turbines/ hydroelectric power/ nuclear power plant... is far more efficient than any piston driven automobile engine. Last I remember even the best automotive engines barely realize 20% efficiency.

 

Correct.

I don't think the wieght will hurt it that much either, it is still less than the S2000.

 

The majority of power in this country comes from coal, and as efficient as power generation may be there are huge transmission losses. So unless you are charging next door to a hydroelectric plant it is not near as clean a deal as you may think. Not to say that electric vehicles are bad, they may one day be the backbone of transportation, but we need to be fully knowledgeable about what we are being sold.

A true zero emissions auto would be magic.

 

I believe this car has the potential to change the auto industry. It is the first good looking, high performance electric car with a long range. They are using this car to fund production of cheaper, more accessible electric cars.

It's not going to be immediate, but over the next 5-10 years. If this car (and subsequent Tesla cars) are a hit (and I believe they will be), expect to see a lot more electric cars on the road. Some manufacturers will take advantage sooner than others, and they will be ahead of the curve. Other manufacturers will have to play catchup.

Why do I have the feeling that Japanese auto makers will jump on this first?

 

Is the Tesla one of the cars using some version of laptop batteries? Do I have it confused with another car? With all the recent laptop battery fires I wonder if it's a concern.

I really like the idea of the car if everything works as it should.