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Tesla Motors has announced production
of the right-hand-drive version of its iconic Roadster sports car, the
only highway-capable electric vehicle for sale worldwide.
Prospective customers and media may
test-drive right-hand-drive cars available at Tesla's showroom, 49-51
Cheval Place in London's Knightsbridge district (SW7 1EW). The 2010
right-hand-drive Roadster includes a suite of unique noise-reduction
materials, an upgraded sound system and other enhancements that make it
ideal for daily commuting or weekend drives.
The Roadster accelerates faster than
virtually any other car on the road, making it the only production car
faster than a Porsche and twice as energy efficient as a Prius. It is
quickly becoming the choice amongst discerning drivers who demand
performance with a clean conscience.
The Roadster easily travels more than
200 miles per charge in mixed driving conditions, consumes no petroleum
and plugs into conventional 220-volt sockets throughout Europe. It can
be fully or partially recharged by solar or wind power. A customer's
Roadster recently set a world distance record for EVs with 313 miles on
a single charge.
"The right-hand-drive model is our
response to growing demand from high-performance car buyers in the UK
who are also interested in their impact on the environment," said
Cristiano Carlutti, Tesla's Vice President for European Sales and
Operations. "Tesla is dramatically expanding its retail footprint in
Europe, we look forward to building our community of owners and fans
throughout the continent."
UK companies that purchase a Roadster
benefit from a 100 percent Writing Down Allowance, meaning they can
deduct the price of the car from their taxable profits. The Roadster is
the only sports car that has ever qualified for a such a tax incentive
in the UK.
The Roadster starts at £86,950 and
costs about 1.5p per mile, compared to as much as 32p per mile for
petro-powered sports cars. Roadster drivers are do not have to pay the
London congestion charge, saving up to nearly £1,700 annually. They can
park for free and without time limits in various London boroughs, they
get four hours of free charging at certain parking sites, and they are
exempt from the forthcoming Showroom Tax of £950.
Tesla has delivered about 1,000
Roadsters to customers in 43 states and 21 countries. |
