Tesla to exhibit world’s first production electric sports car

Gordon Brown’s budget may not have hit the motorist as hard as some had predicted, but it won’t slow the momentum for green motoring in Norwich, Britain’s greenest city and host of The Green Wheels Motorshow – an event which is showcasing current green technologies.

Today, Green Wheels has announced an important exclusive UK first for the show …Tesla Motors Ltd is to exhibit its all-electric sports car, designed and developed in conjunction with its parent company in California.

The revolutionary Tesla Roadster was born out of the wish of the company’s founder to have a road going electric sports car that would not cost the earth. The parent company, founded in California three years ago, then designed and developed the innovative electric drive system. The majority of the development and testing work is taking place in the UK, using some of the world’s best automotive expertise and facilities. The car will be manufactured in Hethel, Norfolk by Lotus, then shipped to the US for sale.

Now if you think electric power equals the pedestrian performance of a milk float, think again. The wonderful thing about battery power is it delivers maximum torque from the off. The Tesla reaches 60mph in around 4 seconds and has a top speed of over 130mph. You won’t spend your days worrying about being stranded like the ‘non Duracell bunnies’ either, with a range of 200 miles and a charge time under four hours you can really enjoy the open road.

For one day only, this state-of-the-art electric sports car will be taking its place with other low carbon transport technologies as part of the Green Wheels Motorshow. The Tesla Roadster will be making a guest appearance on Wednesday 28th of March.

Brian Randall, Test and Validation Manager at Tesla said, “By adopting innovative technologies and clever design, we at Tesla hope that we can change people’s perceptions of electric cars forever. With an equivalent fuel consumption of 160 mpg, and able to run on wind, solar or even nuclear power, the Tesla Roadster allows you to have fun and still be green. We’re delighted to be able to show one of our prototypes at the Green Wheels show.”

Unfortunately this car is not currently destined to be licensed for the UK - so if you want this glimpse of the future today then come along to Green Wheels at the Forum, Norwich Wednesday 28th March 10.00 – 16.00.

Green Wheels runs from 28th – 30th March at the Forum, as part of The Earth From the Air exhibition running until 30th April – and showcases current technologies in vehicles you can buy today, for a greener tomorrow. It is sponsored by CRed and Carbon Connections, the carbon reducing projects at the University of East Anglia. The exhibition is free so be sure to come along and find out how you can have ‘any colour you like so long as it’s green’.