[ausev] Boy meets Tesla

[Daniel J. Stewart]

Hey Gang,

I just got back from checking out the Tesla Roadster (teslamotors.com) at
a stop on their 2007 Spring Tour.  I wasn't sure what to expect, going out
there.  I've seen tons of pictures, and in some of them the proportions
don't seem quite right.  I wondered if in real life it would just look
"funny".

Boy, was that ever wrong!  It is stunning.  Dare I say, perfect.  Of
course, even if it was a dog I would have been drooling over the 185 kW AC
induction motor and 55kWh li-ion pack strapped to the 186 lb chassis.

The bad news was that they weren't currently offering rides (I think the
big wigs are doing that this afternoon).  The good news was that I got
there during a lull, and got to spend lots of one-on-one time with the
entourage - which included one salesman and a slew of engineers.

The event was part of the Department of Transportation "Earth Day"
celebration, which also featured a Hydrogen fuel cell powered Chevy
Equinox with Michigan "manufacturer" plates.  The poor GM guy was taking a
beating from the crowd on everything from the Hindenburg to the
inefficiencies of electrolysis.  Even then, I'll bet he was better
received here in DC than he normally is in Detroit.

None the less, he was a real electric car nut, and was quick to point out
that the 120kW motor in his rig is the same one that is in the concept
Chevy Volt Plug-In Hybrid, and is "production ready".

And you know what?  We all had "EV grins" even though the cars were
standing still!

Danny
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