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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin are two of the investors pumping money into Tesla Motors, which has revealed the prototype for its all-electric, zero-emission sedan, the Model S. Drivers will theoretically be able to monitor the car’s electric charge via an iPhone or laptop. (http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Green-IT/Tesla-Motors-Model-S-Backed-By-Google-Founders-Brin-Page-336717/)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2011_Tesla_S_Sedan_Drivers_Side_Front_Profile_Headline.jpg Nicholas Kolakowski – eWeek (http://www.eweek.com) – Mar. 28, 2009


Hopefully Tesla can get the funds they need to get this show on the road -- Ed.

Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin are major investors in Tesla Motors, which on March 26 revealed the prototype of its all-electric, zero-emission sedan, the Model S.

The vehicle, which can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds and hit a top speed of 130 miles per hour, will feature a 17-inch touch-screen with 3G connectivity, allowing drivers to check Google Maps or other data. The car’s electrical charge could also theoretically be monitored via an iPhone or a laptop, according to the company.

Tesla hopes that the Model S will eventually lead to a mass-produced electric vehicle, but production hinges on whether the Department of Energy will provide a $350 million loan to help kick-start production."This is just the first of many mainstream cars we’re developing," Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, said in a statement. Musk was a co-founder of PayPal and founder of SpaceX.

Musk went on to cite the ownership cost of the Model S, should it enter production, as "similar to a gasoline car with a sticker price of about $35,000" once the lower cost of electricity versus the likely future price of gasoline was taken into account.

The company anticipates that the base price of the Model S will stand at $49,900, once federal tax credits totaling roughly $7,500 are factored in; it will come with a choice of batteries with either a 160-, 230- or 300-miles-per-charge range.

Deliveries of the vehicle will begin in… http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Green-IT/Tesla-Motors-Model-S-Backed-By-Google-Founders-Brin-Page-336717/

American built, you say? So why isn't the government backing THESE boys instead of Chry-co???

(And encouraging them to build something more Insight-II like as well).

That price point is pretty interesting. It puts the Tesla squarely in the same bracket as the Lexus Sedans:

http://www.lexus.com/models/allModels/#/sedans/

-vs-

http://www.teslamotors.com/buy/buyshowroom.php

They also cut the price for a Tesla in half. If they keep this up they will have an Econo-car out in 5 years at the 25k price point.

11011011

I have a feeling Tesla in the next 20 years is going to become a major player in the luxury car market. Perhaps in another 10 years they'll have a all-electric or hybrid car under $25,000 that looks and acts like a bit more luxurious Prius.

I have a feeling Tesla in the next 20 years is going to become a major player in the luxury car market. Perhaps in another 10 years they'll have a all-electric or hybrid car under $25,000 that looks and acts like a bit more luxurious Prius.

I got a gut feeling that Tesla won't exist in the next 2 years. I wish they could be successful though.

Elon Musk may have "vision", but he appears to be lacking the ability to accomplish. The Tesla roadster exists as a total of 250 cars so far. The Tesla S is slated to be 10,000 cars produced per year, starting in 2011. That's doesn't look possible.

"Founder of PayPal", to me, is a huge red flag.
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