Driving the i8 electricity, I would have run out juice two miles ago.

It will be interesting in some years to see if most people have electric cars for the 90% of their driving for which electric is convenient -- then rent or use a shared fossil fuel vehicle for the rest of the driving or for long trips.

A couple of years ago the Autoline Detroit TV show on PBS had a panel of guest to discuss the automotive future.

Electric or not, a leaner future includes buying just enough car to get by with.

On those special occasions where you need to transport more than four people, or want to go camping you may rent such a vehicle short term, and not drive around in a larger vehicle year round for those rare occasions.

This goes on to argue that should you need to travel cross country, then rent a car for that purpose and keep the electric one or two seat commuter at home.

I think this makes a lot of sense when you see where many younger people are spending money - renting, not buying, if buying, smaller homes with the emphasis on location (not the McMansion in the suburbs). What is 'status' is changing dramatically for the under 30 crowd. The auto business has been trying to figure out this trend for a while - and they seem to be having some success with alternative vehicles, or just thinking 'smaller'.

the future is now

I am currently shopping for a new family car for my wife, and gas milage is a primary consideration. I want a forester or an outback and I have declined to look at the flat 6 or forced induction variants that have come up due to worse mpg. A huge paradigm shift.

The tesla is cool. I think the clever bit is they went upmarket instead of trying to make the economics look justifiable. I am not sure such a car should get the tax incentive however. It is too fancy to be part paid for by the masses. I don't have trouble with the government promoting technology adoption with tax dollars though. I am not so naive as to have faith in completely free markets.

The prius does stand alone as just a car. They are great overall cars even when examined out of context. By great I mean mind numingly poring and practical, of course.

I know we talked about this before, but I consider the volt to be the most compelling engineering solution. It sure isnt as sexy as a tesla though.

This makes perfect sense, but it'll take a major shift in thinking on the part of the driving public. Look at all the people who are content to drive around in full-size pickups & SUVs every day just because they like to haul their boat or camp trailer to the lake a few times a year, or need to carry 5 or 6 people occasionally. I think that many people still like the idea of having one vehicle that does everything.

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If they're so good, why does the gubmint have to temp potential buyers with a $7500 bribe?

Dwindling buying power has a way of limiting your choices and forming your behavior.

But you are right, the current generation must die out for these changes to take full affect.

Just pulled into the Supercharger. Got lost.... Plugged "Tesla" into the nav and assumed it would bring me right here. After realizing I was heading towards San Diego, I turned around and made sure I was really heading to Tesla and finally arrived.

I started out with a rated range of 142 miles. At the supercharger I had driven 77.1 miles and had a range of 69 left. Adding up the two numbers I get 146.1 miles. I actually gained 4 miles....

Come on Sammy. How many Ferrari's have split in half? How about that CGT last November. You hit two light poles at triple digit speeds and most cars will not fair well.

Yes Eric, like the i8 but not so ugly.;)

You are just a BMW hater. ;)

Probably some truth there....

Picked any babes with it yet?

I see these things all over Houston. I don't think I've ever seen the sportscar model, but I'm seeing a bunch of the big cruisers.

I'm surprised how many I see in AZ considering that they can't even sell them here. So people are going to Cali and buying them and bringing them back.

Dave came over tonight and parked the Tesla in my driveway. Attractive ( single) neighbor from down the street was walking her dog and was initially very impressed, thinking I had just bought it! So it works for picking up chicks FWIW.

Did Dave go home with her?

Um, pretty sure she asked me if it was mine. Let's not twist things, Alarick! And yes, she is cute.

While you were inside the house and I was on the porch, she walked by with her dog. It was then that she asked me if the car in the driveway was mine. I went out to the driveway to chat with her and that's when you came out.

She's looking to buy a new car. Perhaps you could offer her a demonstration of the capabilities and attributes of the Tesla...