The aptly-named Tesla Motors have made a name for itself with wholly electric-powered sport cars that actually look good and are actually being delivered to customers. Now Tesla is making sure not to lose any momentum with their release of the Roadster Sport, a model that boasts of 0 to 60 mph times of 3.7 seconds while still retaining its predecessor’s fully electric powertrain. 

Instead of describing pistons and crankshafts, engine displacements and gas consumption, Tesla vehicles have us discuss in terms like hand-wound stators, AC induction motors, lithium-ion batteries, and charging times. Now Tesla is upping the stakes with the improved Roadster Sport – what’s important with the release of this model is the confirmation of viability of this kind of electric vehicle, a vehicle that is both flexible and powerful.

                                             An illustration of the Roadster's internal workings. The large block in the midlle are the batteries.

Tesla does not delude itself by saying that their vehicles are the ultimate answer to energy efficiency – after all, electric power is electric power, and could have been derived from dirty, coal-firing power plants to green, solar power energy. What Tesla touts however is that the electric power their vehicle uses enables the Roadster and the Roadster Sport to not add on to the pollution inherent to gas-powered vehicles, while still giving the customer the sports car experience. Electric motors also have different performance characteristics when compared to gas-powered vehicles, notably in its torque range – which starts powerful at 0 rpm and gradually ramps down as rpm increases. In this case this is much preferred, as torque is most useful when moving off the line.

                                             Plug in for three and a half hours for an estimated range of 220 miles.

With the Roadter Sport, Tesla is declaring that they are here to stay – electric vehicles can no longer be confined to being considered slow or for utility only – the Roadster’s performance is more than enough to destroy many gas-powered vehicles, while still maintaining the inherent power efficiency of an electric power plant.

                                              Parting shot.