Tesla Motors are making a lot of noise about their new car, the Tesla Model S Electric car. And so they should, its a nice car!
The company does not claim to be trying to save the world or to create a substitute to the combustion engine. What they are trying to do is build an electric car that has advanced performance, efficiency and design. Efficiency is the key word when it comes to transportation and general system design in general.
Lets use the Segway “PUMA” (above) as an example. The vehicle has a top speed of around 35 M.P.H. and a range of about 35 miles. At what point do you draw a line between comfort and a burden. At that point, why not just invest in a nice reliable bicycle with a range limited by your own personal energy and top speed of 82.3 M.P.H. (under special circumstances) and a casual leisurely speed of around 10-15 M.P.H. Not to mention the health benefits.
In the other hand, why not stick to gasoline and make hybrids that are super efficient? That is what Fiat is trying to accomplish according to President Obama. Which explains why GM will be merging with the Italian car company.
Its very interesting to ponder what the outcome of all these new initiatives will amount to in the coming years. I have a feeling that, collectively, we have only begun to realize that fossil fuels are like non-rechargeable batteries; once you use them, they are nothing but waste.