The AMP, a Saturn Sky converted from gas to electric power, doesn't have the thrilling statistics of the Tesla Roadster. 0-60 in 6 seconds instead of 4, for example. But my S-Class Mercedes does 0-60 in 6 seconds too, and it sure does feel fast, so that might not make that much difference.

What might make more difference is that it's half the price of the Tesla - $50,000 instead of $109.000. And as a less complex project, delivery snags might - hopefully - be less of a problem. After two years of development, Tesla only recently delivered its first car - that's singular - to a customer.

A lot of potential Tesla customers were looking at that price point, so I wonder if the lesser acceleration time and the shorter range - about 150 miles instead of about 225 - will scare away buyers.

Hopefully not - the converted Saturn still looks very nice, and this segment could use more competition.

Filed under: tesla, saturn, and AMP

I normally try to post positive, uplifting stories on amazing.com, but this one's close to my heart.

Martin Eberhard, founder of Tesla Motors, is not being treated well. He was kicked out of the company by financier Elon Musk, despite having attracted numerous fans as the company's open and genial public face. Martin created the whole conception behind the company.

During the employment negotiations, he was promised Roadster #2. Even after his firing, he recommitted his order for Roadster #2 and was told it would ship as the second production prototype.

Tesla appears to have broken that promise by shipping serial number 3 to a happy new owner but #2 has yet to leave the Lotus factory on its leisurely way to the US.

The whole shameful story is at the link. Not so amazing, but an interesting clash of egos over what is still said to be a wonderful car, well worth your interest ...

if the company survives long enough to build it for you.

Filed under: Tesla, Tesla Roadster, and Martin Eberhard

This clip, from WGBH's NOVA, shows various electric car alternatives including Click and Clack's sadly brief drive in a Tesla Roadster.

For those who are not aware, the Tesla is the world's first production electric sports car, an amazing feat of derring-doo and engineering. Over a year late, Teslas are only now starting to dribble off the assembly line in agonizing slowness, but at least they are coming.

The film seems to have been back in the good old days when Martin Eberhard was in charge, since he is featured and it looks like both Martin and the Brothers were driving prototypes.

Filed under: tesla motors, sports car, click and clack, wgbh, and tesla

One of the most pleasing aspects of electric vehicles is the noise ... or rather, the lack of same. Other than a surprisingly pleasant whine coming from the motor, electric vehicles are almost entirely silent. A couple of days ago (scroll down for it), we had a video from a giant electric trash truck, which was barely audible except when trash was being dumped.

Unfortunately, pedestrians and bicyclists depend on hearing a vehicle to know it's there. The nearly-silent Tesla Roadster (see picture) might be impossible to notice on time.

There is a bill before Congress that would require the Transportation Department to establish safety standards to solve this problem.

Despite this, I would really hate to see electric cars lose their silent mojo. Perhaps we can find some other way to make them noticable, like make all of them look like the Tesla Roadster instead of a tiny box?

Filed under: electric car, noise, and tesla roadster

Volvo is testing what it calls a hybrid garbage truck in selected Swedish cities. They supplied a video, which you can see at the link. It shows virtually silent operation - no more loud diesel engine to wake you up during the uncivilized hours in which trash trucks rule the roads.

Unfortunately, the loading and dumping of the trash is as annoyingly noisy as ever, so you can't have anything. But this vehicle is still very impressive, if only for the hum that sounds remarkably similar to a Tesla Roadster at speed.

I'm not sure where the hybrid aspect of this vehicle comes to play - it seems like it's running entirely on electricity in the video. Perhaps the diesel runs only at high speeds or on the main road? They don't tell us.

Filed under: tesla roadster, electric, and trash truck