Big batteries
Tesla's Roadster covered 241 miles on a single charge at April's Rallye Monte Carlo d'Energies Alternatives, an annual event that runs from Valance, France to Monaco, pitting alternative-fuel vehicles against each other. The Tesla Roadster was the only electric vehicle to finish the event on a single charge.
Million mark
Toyota recently announced that it topped one million sales of its Toyota and Lexus gas-electric hybrid vehicles in the North America. Toyota and Lexus market a total of six hybrid vehicles, including the wildly popular Prius (shown).
Ford Chairman Bill Ford meets employees at the Michigan Assembly plant. (Carlos Osorio/Associated Press)
Plant switch
Ford Motor Co. stripped "truck" from the name of one its Detroit-area plants last month as it announced plans to build its next-generation Focus there. Ford says about 3,200 jobs will be created because of the plant conversion. It will reopen late next year.
--Associated Press, Wheelbase Communications
4 Comments
By Donald Mamula on June 14, 2009 9:38 AM
While making the Tesla sound like a great "green" alternative, your news item fails to note the $100K+ price tag of the vehicle, making it far out of the affordability range of most of your readers. It remains an expensive "toy" for the green set.
By Eileen Carrel on June 14, 2009 9:48 AM
The Tesla Roadster is competing in a class of sports "super cars."
Tesla is also working on more affordable vehicle, the Model S, which is slated to be available in 2011. It has lots of seating, can go up to 300 miles on a charge, and the base price is $50,000. Not bad for a car company that is trying to break new ground.
By David Caley on June 15, 2009 7:53 AM
You refer to the Toyota and Lexus gas-electric hybrid. Yet on the next column is an article about "Natural gas" propelling a vehicle. Many buses and Government vehicles run on GAS. My Toyata Hybrid runs on GASOLINE, not gas. You must move into the "Green" times by using proper terminology! Thanks for your NW Auto section. David
By Amicus Curious on June 15, 2009 10:20 PM
Single charge...but it takes 8 hours to recharge.
Plan on a long stay when you take a trip with that roadster...