Tesla: More than 500 takers for Model S

If produced, the Tesla Model S will be the first mass-produced highway-legal all electric car.

(Credit: Tesla Motors)

Correction: This post misstated the timing of the Washington, D.C., Tesla event. It took place Wednesday evening.

More than 520 reservations for the Tesla Model S have been made since the all-electric car's debut on March 26, Tesla Motors announced Wednesday.

Since the car isn't slated for production until 2011, and Tesla is still waiting to hear if it'll be getting a $350 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to build the car's California production plant, the company is not technically taking orders.

Instead, the carmaker says it is taking refundable $5,000 reservations to get in line for the anticipated $50,000 car (the price after receiving a $7,500 federal tax credit).

If it does go into production, the Model S will be the first mass-produced highway-capable car to run entirely on electricity.

The working prototype of the Model S was unveiled last week in Los Angeles. An East Coast premiere took place on Wednesday evening at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

The Model S, which can go 0 mph to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, has an electronically limited speed of 130 mph and can be recharged from any 120V, 208V, or 240V outlet. The car will be offered with a range of 160, 230, or 300 miles per charge, depending on which battery the buyer chooses, though Tesla has not yet said what the price difference will be for each package.

While the company has faced a mountain of start-up hardship, including a battle over trade secrets, a class action lawsuit, and a major leadership change, it has so far been able to deliver 320 of its Roadster models, its all-electric luxury sports car.

[Grumpypaul]

It's a sharp looker and although I've forecast failure for Tesla, I am still hoping to be proven wrong. I would like to see only one battery range available and not a surcharge for longer distances. While a 160 mile charge would do for most applications, and road trip would require a 300 mile zap, and hopefully a location with an outlet to recharge!!

[bobpolo]

500 cars 25mm in rev big deal, htat rev number is not going to help Tesla I am betting the car will never be produced by Tesla. It might happen if a large auto company buys the technology. I also love the fact that the media seem to believe whatever comes out of Tesla pr people.

[TogetherinParis]

Tesla's car is working. It is nicely done. Tesla has not lied about wanting to build more electric cars, unlike GM. Why shouldn't their press releases be believed?
All the American car companies have had a disgraceful distribution system for too long "How can you tell if an up is lying?" An 'up' is a potential customer. Answer: "Their lips move." We need a way to sell cars without the system trying to make fools out of every single customer.

[baggyguy1218]

It wll work if they are given the chance. Its a 50,000 dollar car and not one has been built. If it can be allowed to go into production on a large scale and the energy distribution system is made availible to people to install in their homes, this thing could be the best thing since....the iPhone? I want one thats for sure. I drive four miles to work. I could go for weeks with no charging at all. If we needed to go on a long trip we would use my wifes car, which we do anyway! I say bring it on!

[willdryden]

I've been saying that for 30 years. How many 1 car families are there anyway? I couldn't justify a $50,000 car to run to work every day even if it was the last car I bought, but I could justify $25,000. easy.

[tipoo_]

Will someone please buy me one? K thanks.

[92014]

It's a shame that such brilliant technology has to wait around for a paltry $350 million dollar loan from the govt. It seems like lately, the govt has been handing out billions to failing companies that have contributed nothing but economic hardships for the rest of us. And now Tesla comes along with a breakthrough that could quite possibly end our ridiculous appetite for foreign oil AND put a huge dent in the pollution problem and all of a sudden the govt is dragging its feet coming up with the money?? Can somebody explain that to me please? Weren't we promised more "green jobs"? Doesn't a plug-in auto maker qualify as a "green job"? Do we really have to wait until 2011 to see the cars on the market? Call me a cynic but I can't help but think that "BIG OIL" is doing everything in it's power to keep the plug-ins off the market.

[tecmic]

You said it 92014! Right on the nail. Big production numbers would also likely bring the price down.

I get a bad feeling that vested interests now ('Big Oil' is a prime one) are going to be the cause of considerable destruction and fatality in the future. Maybe even the failure of civilised society as we fight each other for food, water and what's left of the material things in life.