Checkout what I drove today: A Tesla Roadster.

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Originally Posted by RawAlex

Failed basic math?

40 miles going there, 40 miles coming back = 80 miles. there are all sorts of claims about 250 mile range, 300 mile range, etc. But the reality is that it would damage the batteries to completely charge them every time, and you should never push it much lower than about 20% charge (bad for the batteries), and the range only happens when you drive like the EPA highway test. For real humans, the effective range is at best about 100-120 miles (based on numerous road tests I read). One car magazine gave it a nice thrashing on a German autobahn, only to discover that vigorous play lead to a range that would be lucky to get the 80 miles, more like 60 - 70.

Remember, for the good it is, the batteries store about the same amount of energy as a gallon or two of gas. Can you imagine setting out in the morning with your gas light on, and driving all day hoping like hell you don't run out? Running out puts you in an 8 -12 hour penalty box (don't interrupt the charging, as it can damage the batteries!).

Paying 6 figures for a car that can't make it from Vegas to a legal whorehouse and back seems pretty silly.

Hi Alex,

Are you sure you're reading reports about the Tesla? I can only find good things about this car, except for what that silly BBC show said.

6 Figures for this car is more than I would like to pay, but they are coming out with a $50k sedan in a couple of years.

And besides, you're missing the point. Even if the batteries only store the same amount of energy as 2 gallons of gas (where did you get that?), more than 90% of the energy from gas is lost in a typical car anyway to heat, combustion, torque conversion, and the shear weight of the extras required for the car itself (Starter, oil system, coolant system, brake system, and on and on).