In a surprising switch, Tesla Motors has announced it will build its next electric car model in its home state of California, lured by millions of dollars in state incentives. As it moves toward production of Model S, the start-up carmaker—a darling of the green tech movement—will need to deliver on its promises, something that it has found difficult during its short existence.
The buzz around electric sports-car-maker Tesla Motors is sparking something akin to what happened in California 150 years ago—this time the rush is toward plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles. Undaunted by Tesla’s difficulties in delivering on early promises, small companies are charging forward with a “if they can build a car, why not us” attitude. Many claim that 2010 will be their year.
Tesla Motors may be the darling of the "take no prisoners" electric vehicle world, but the company may break from its roots with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain for its upcoming Whitestar sedan.
Tesla Motors side-stepped disaster by winning a federal waiver allowing its all-electric Roadster to be produced without advanced occupant-sensing airbags. If the waiver had not been granted, the carmaker might have been forced out of business.
