Pretty sure this is old news (maybe not the price guesstimate). Regardless, put me on the list
Rob

If they can have a $30,000 EV out by 2012, I'm there. I'd prefer an EV Prius hatchback but if Toyota can't supply one, I guess I'll have to go Tesla.

GM can bite me.

Did anyone notice this "There are even plans to release solar panels that mount on the Roadster’s roof to help it get an extra 50 miles of travel on a sunny day". Either the writer knows something we don't know or he knows nothing about solar panels.

Awesome! Sign me up! I figure that by 2012 they will have all of their reliability issues worked out. Even the $60K car will sell well here in CA. I am going to make the prediction that they will run into the same problem that the Prius is having right now; production will be limited by battery production rates, and there will be long waiting lists.

I notice that the 2009 Roadster takes a "70 amp high power connector", which I presume means 220 volts. Hope you have that in your garage! What would one charge for 3.5 hours cost (which would take you 220 miles if you don't turn on anything else electric)? In my condominium here in Ottawa, electricity is included in the condo fee, so I don't know what we're paying for electricity. What would the cost per $220 miles be?

I also notice that air conditioning and heating are electric. Given the Canadian winter, you might make it as far as the street before the heater, windshield defroster, rear window defroster, windshield wipers, lights, etc. empty the battery.

It's hard to say how much all-electrics will take off given the fact many do not have access to plug-in overnight.

Also, people will need to know what options they have when going out of town.

My gut feel tells me the plug-in hybrid electrics (PHEV) may gain the upper hand over all-electrics since you may be able to do the 30 mile commute on battery alone, then can run the gas motor if needed.

I hope Tesla will look into PHEV's.

Still, all-electric is a very good thing for the willing.

If they can produce one with a sedan type body (able to seat more than two) and like Godiva said, with a hatchback, I'd be one of the first in line. I'm really happy to see true American innovation at work and hope that they can get big enough to give the big three a run for their money (if not completely cream them).

$30,000 is a big improvement but I'd like to see it a lot closer to $15,000. But then, I'm thinking more of an "around town" type of EV.

I have room for one car, so I'll have to stay hybrid or wait for the 10-minute-full-recharge era to come around. On long trips, I could hang around that long at some rest stop, pay maybe $5 to drive another 300 miles or so, then do it again as needed.

Although $5 may be low-ball once every possible tax is tacked onto it. And I still expect to have to put in a separate recharge circuit at home so the special Fuel Taxes on that electricity can be collected...

I suspect if the battery size/capacity issue is solved and EV or PHEV becomes the norm, the availability to recharge 'anywhere' will also be solved. Even if you park on the street, the cities could put charging 'ports' out at the curb the same way they put parking meters out. In fact, wire the charging station INTO the meter and you can pay for your time AND charge at the same time In the end, it would be a lot cheaper than trying to put hydrogen fueling stations all over the country.

I agree that the 'I own 1 car and it needs to do the around town as well as the 400 mile trips' issue will favor PHEVs over EVs unless battery technology improves dramatically. Barring '10 minute full charge' ability, I doubt EVs will ever eclipse the PHEV unless we get to a point where there is no fuel of any sort to put in the PHEV.

And while the battery technology improves, hopefully the watts/sq in solar tech will also improve such that solar arrays can affordably be put on any surfaces helping to provide electricity to run cars, houses, etc.

I'm guessing you are right since this has already happened with their $100k offering. They had more orders than they wanted in a very short time. A good problem to have at this stage!

The Roadster -as well as any modern EV - will be flexible in how it charges. You can slow charge from any outlet, or if you use 220V you can charge much faster. 90% of the time you don't need to charge fast, but if you do, the option is there. All production full-feature EVs required 220V in the past. Same circuit as an electric dryer. Not a big deal.

Totally depends on the cost of your electricity. With my TOU rate a kWh costs about 6c off-peak. For that six cents I can drive four miles in my Rav4EV. This is WAY the heck cheaper than any gas car can manage. And now that I fill with solar, my miles are free.

This is what the press will have you believe, yes. The reality is far different. Wipers, lights, radio etc can be totally ignored. HVAC is the only thing that creates significant draw... and even that pales in comparison to the traction power. You're looking at 2-3% extra energy, which translates into 2-3% reduced range. I just drove my 100-mile-range Rav4EV home 90 miles in 116° heat on Tuesday. Fully loaded, including family, dog and supplies for a week's trip. AC on full, all freeway driving. No problem going the 90 miles.

Many do not. An today many cannot afford gasoline. Many cannot afford a car. And yet gasoline cars are still sold. We need to concentrate on the low-hanging fruit here. Offer the cars to the millions of drivers who CAN use them instead of fretting about the subset of drivers who cannot. Lots of people can't make much use of a motorcycle or a 2-seat sports car. But those all sell as well.

And for those who want cheaper, faster, safer, more convenient transportation for the bulk of their trips. For those few people who think that gasoline isn't quite all that and a bag of chips.

Installing or having installed a plug-in for your future electric car is no big deal. It's inexpensive and quick. We already have the infrastructure (the electric power grid), which is available almost everywhere. I've not seen "no electricity" anywhere I've driven on paved roads.
Here in Alberta we already have block heater plug-ins in many parking lots. So moving to an electric car here would be easy.
If they ever sell them in Canada.

Maybe I'll get tarred and feathered for saying that here in Oil Alberta.:spy:

I thought there was already several options for around town in the $10-$15,000 range right now... Zap, Xebra, etc.

If I paid $23,000 for my Prius, Aptera's in the ballpark with $26-30,000, and also with the right idea of giving you the option of EV only or EV/gas hybrid.

I believe they have limited range and speed. You can't drive them at freeway speeds. There may be issues with safety too; exempt from regular car requirements. They're like golf carts, only neighborhood legal.

Ah, you're thinking of 'San Diego Town' which is probably a lot like Sacramento with 4-lane roads where people drive freeway speeds between lights even though speed limit is 40mph.

I was thinking of 'Davis Town' where it's still possible to drive the 25mph NEV's.

PayPal's cofounder hopes to produce a practical $30,000 all-electric car in four years

A Tesla In Your Future?

NEWSWEEK's Fareed Zakaria spoke to Musk about the future of transportation in an oil-constrained world.

Hey howdy from Davis! :wave:

Yes, it is still possible to drive a NEV in Davis (and they're sure getting popular these days, aren't they?), but it sure isn't much fun to drive on the 35mph+ roads! I tried the experience for two weeks, and went back to my bike. 8mph up Pole Line... our biggest hill (an overpass). No thanks! There isn't anywhere I can't get to in Davis faster on my bike. There's very little reason to drive any automobile around Davis.