Electric roadster puts a 'charge' in driving

WEST PALM BEACH, FL --  The future is now when it comes to electric cars.

We're not talking about a hybrid.

We're talking about a car you plug in instead of fill-up.

Right now, there's a car company that's leading the "charge" when it comes to electric vehicles, Tesla Motors.

It's hard to keep your eyes off the Tesla Roadster but you'd better look fast because this all-electric sports car goes 0-to-60 in under four seconds.

The Silicon Valley, California-based car company got the green light to start production of this green machine a few years ago.

Tesla Motors opened a dealership in South Florida this past December.

The Roadster looks like a sports car and it handles like one but there aren't many moving parts.

It's very quiet.

And it doesn't pollute.

All pretty good selling points.
              
Tesla Motors Regional Sales Manager Ted Schloz admits with a base price of 109-thousand dollars, this electric vehicle may not be for everyone but if you're in the market for a high-end sports car, the Tesla Roadster could be a consideration.
 
"It's an exhilarating drive; it's wicked fast but you don't have to drive it that way; you can drive it as a normal everyday car. So, to be seen in such a car really sets you apart from everybody else," Schloz says.
           
Some notable differences between this electric car and a gasoline-powered automobile: A half-ton lithium-ion battery replaces the engine. There's an electric outlet where you would normally find the gas tank. And there's no need for an exhaust pipe.

You simply plug it into a standard outlet to recharge it and can travel nearly 250 miles before it needs more juice.
  
"You justify the cost structure because there's almost no maintenance and when you fill up the battery pack with energy, it's less than five dollars, so it's very cost-conscious," said Schloz.
                
For the time being, Tesla Motors is the only car company producing and selling an all-electric sports car.

The company plans to come out with a more practical $50-thousand sedan next year.
       
Like with most products, prices will drop once other car companies jump on the electrical vehicle bandwagon.

If you would like to see the Tesla Roadster in person, it'll be on display at the 5th Annual Super Car Experience the weekend of February 26-28 on Flagler Drive in Downtown West Palm Beach.

For more information on the Tesla Roadster, or a test drive, contact Ted Schloz, Regional Sales Manager, at:  (754) 816-3069 or tschloz@teslamotors.com.