For well-heeled early adopters of electric-car technology, Tesla has been the car of choice. The 2,373-pound, two-seat Roadster accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, can reach a top speed of 125 mph (electronically limited) and offers a range of 236 miles. Such supercar performance does not come cheap -- a base Roadster costs $101,500 after a federal tax credit.
Since 2006, Tesla has sold more than 1,000 Roadsters and estimates they have traveled 3 million miles. The Silicon Valley-based company's ambitions are to move into lower price ranges and expand its market. The next step in its evolution will be the Model S, a four-door premium sedan that it is positioning as an electric alternative to a BMW or Audi. Tesla plans to go into production of the Model S and start deliveries in early 2012.
Helping the company to manufacture the car is a $465 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program. Tesla plans to use $100 million for a powertrain manufacturing plant that is expected to be built in California and employ about 1,000 workers. The rest of the money will be devoted to production engineering and assembly of the Model S.
