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What is it?

It’s the future of performance cars. Possibly. This is our first chance to drive an almost-finished version of the all-electric Tesla Roadster on UK roads.

If you don’t already know, Tesla has created a silent-running zero emissions sports car that’s based on a heavily reworked version of the Lotus Elise. It’s the first of what the company hopes will be a full line-up of futuristic battery-powered vehicles.

The difference here is that Tesla’s made...Read the full article

For some strange reason, I actually quite fancy one, but not for £90+ grand.

yeah, far to much, but i am sure so called green celebritys will buy them....

At last Chris Martin can buy himself a sports car and sleep at night.  And all those 'caring' Hollywood stars can replace the Prius, (whilst keeping quiet about all the good stuff in their air conditioned, underground motor houses). 

Tesla Roadster: 4.5 stars.  Forum contributors: 0.5 stars.

Is this all you can say about such an important car?  Of course the price is high: anything ground-breaking has to be at first to make a profit.  And those of us on average money rely on the rich to buy this kind of thing so that there are finances to develop further.

And the upshot?  A few years down the track, Joe Public can afford useable, practical, green, even quick and fun technology.  What a car!

Does anyone know how much pollution is generated by recharging an electric car such as this through the mains?  I'm using the term pollution in a vague manner because pollutants will be different depending on which type of power station is feeding the power.

Maybe Tesla could make the car more marketable by throwing in free aftermarket accessories such as your very own wind turbine or solar cells to plug the car into (is this the future of things to come?...).

I'm sorry, but the day a Ferrari goes electric is the day I will ask to be sectioned.

There are two problems with electric cars: The price, and the attitude towards them. Both of these will change for the better, I'm convinced. I have been fortunate to drive the Tesla, and thought it was fantastic. One day I'll own something like it purely for it's outrageous and eery acceleration, and when I feel the need for some oily smells and intake roar I'll jump into my good old M5!

I like it, and I somehow think a certain Clarkson may quite like it, too. It could change the world's perceptions of the electric car. We all know the Electric Car is back, and here to stay, and I think it's a bit like the mobile phone too. Firstly, they were really expensive, and nowadays you can get a basic one for around £15. Wow. This also proves that electric cars can be cool. Unlike a certain Noddy Car, which goes by the name of the G-Wiz. Can't wait to see what else Tesla have in store, and I hope they get to Europe and the UK quick!! (After the prices have come down a bit!)

Greg1:

Maybe Tesla could make the car more marketable by throwing in free aftermarket accessories such as your very own wind turbine or solar cells to plug the car into (is this the future of things to come?...).

You make a valid point here Greg1, and if those celebrating the future of motoring here can't imagine the effect on the national grid of us all having electric cars, then I despair.

The acceleration sounds impressive, but no noise and no gears doesn't.

Impressive technology with sky high novelty value.

But no noise and no gears? Just press and go...............silently.

I'd get bored...................I really would.

I agree with the 2 Pauls on this.

The Tesla could be amazing but I like a decent noise from my sports cars. 

Paul J:

You make a valid point here Greg1, and if those celebrating the future of motoring here can't imagine the effect on the national grid of us all having electric cars, then I despair.

The acceleration sounds impressive, but no noise and no gears doesn't.

 

Noise fair enough, it's a big part of the experience any sports/performance car. Why is no gears a problem though?

Re: the national grid - we've been through all this before. It's entirely feasible, unlike an overnight switch to electric cars. It's not like 30 million Tesla roadsters are going to turn up tomorrow and plug in, is it?