Last week H.S.H. Prince Albert II opened the Tesla showroom in the Boulevard des Moulins, just along from the Casino gardens.Made in California, designed by Lotus, the Tesla Roadster is the latest and greatest in electric cars. At a rally organised by the Automobile Club of Monaco in April, the car outperformed every other vehicle, including a Porsche, and still had 38 miles of battery life left at the end of the 241-mile course from Valence to Monte Carlo.
The Tesla Roadster will run for 393 kilometres on a single charge, unique in the world. It goes from 0 to 90 km/h in 3.9 seconds and can reach a speed of 200 km/h. It's appropriate that Tesla should have opened a showroom in Monaco as the Principality with its protection of the environment policy, already has 484 electric cars registered.
Capital outlay is not cheap - vehicles retail at €99,000 - but the running costs are minimal. Refuelling from a normal household electric socket costs about €2.50 and takes 3.5 hours. There are only twelve moving parts - so no wear and tear to speak of. The car is virtually silent and with zero emissions. In addition, the Monaco government pays 9,000 euros to buyers as part of their environment policy. Tesla hope to sell 80 to 100 of these cars in their first year. I noticed one, with a British registration, parked just along the No Finish Line - see yesterday's post.
And to see this car in action, take a look at the video.
I like the idea of this being a silent car the best!
ReplyDeleteWish I had the Euros... Amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteJilly that's Coooooool!
ReplyDeleteI guess Monaco is the best place to start selling this little beauty!
I want one!! The bottom photo makes my heart race!
ReplyDeleteWell, this should help dispel the image that electric cars lack muscle.
ReplyDeleteMonaco would seem to have the right demographics for the market for this car. All it lacks is the open road to put the car to a test. Oh, well. this car would look good even sitting at a red light.
I saw one drive by me while in Michigan last summer. A very cool and practical car;totally silent as it passed by.
ReplyDeleteThat car is amazing! Many people will be in love with your car photo today!
ReplyDeleteI love it i and I'm not a car person. the idea of the zeor emissions and the silence is amazing as well. That Prince gets around doesn't he!!!
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Love it! Tesla's life story is fasinating in itself and to have this incredible car named for him and his unusual and vexing inventiveness and accomplishments would probably make him smile.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. (I wish I could have seen the car run through the streets of Monte Carlo.)
It's very cute.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a car person either but this one is impressive -- wish it was more affordable..........
ReplyDeleteLooks a great sports car. Bit strange though no roar of the engine. Pedestrians better watch out as they won't hear it coming.
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