[AndyH]

Come see the Model S in New York City

If you live in greater New York or plan to visit soon, you're in luck: The Model S will be on display Thursday, April 30 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Friday, May 1 (noon to 9 p.m.) at The Plaza Hotel, 5th Avenue at Central Park South, New York, NY 10019. This is a rare opportunity for the general public to get up close and personal with the Model S, the all-electric family sedan that carries up to seven people and travels up to 300 miles per charge.
Tesla sales representatives will be at The Plaza Hotel to answer questions and take reservations. Eventually we will have a Model S in all of our showrooms and at major auto shows. In the upcoming months, we'll bring the Model S to Chicago, Seattle, Miami and Washington as we prepare to open regional sales and service centers in those locations. Keep reading these newsletters for details.

Model S to appear on Late Show with David Letterman

The Model S has gotten incredible buzz since its launch on March 26, when it was featured on blogs, in newspapers and on TV newscasts worldwide. On April 29, the Model S will make another historic debut: It's expected to be the first fully drivable car to appear on Late Show with David Letterman.
Conventional cars and hybrids, which produce CO2 emissions, are not allowed in drivable form on the Late Show set due to strict emission regulations. The prohibition of internal combustion engine cars is an ironic twist, seeing as Dave is a passionate car enthusiast who loves to wax about his favorite vehicles – but hey, it's a great opportunity for the Model S. I'll be on the show along with the car, and I am looking forward to a lively conversation with Dave, a fellow sports car aficionado and Tesla fan. Please tune in on your local affiliate station to see this historic event.

EPA finding could lead to more EV incentives

On April 17, the Environmental Protection Agency declared that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions were "dangerous pollutants" producing toxic effects on human health. The landmark finding is likely to put even more pressure on Congress to pass legislation limiting greenhouse gas emissions. This is a huge victory for scientists and environmentalists seeking to slow the pace of global warming. It's expected to trigger more state and federal regulations on gas guzzlers and pave the way for additional incentives on pure electric vehicles, which produce zero tailpipe emissions.
Earlier this decade, the Bush administration opposed putting mandatory limits on many greenhouse gases. Back then, some politicians engaged in the specious argument that tough environmental regulations would hurt businesses. But it's becoming increasingly clear that the most successful 21st century companies – from photovoltaic panel manufacturers to electric vehicle makers -- will improve the environment *and* the economy.
In fact, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said that greenhouse gases posed "a serious problem now and for future generations." Despite that ominous warning, she had an upbeat call to action: "This pollution problem has a solution -- one that will create millions of green jobs and end our country's dependence on foreign oil," she said.
We couldn't agree more. Many Tesla customers are died-in-the-wool sports car enthusiasts, attracted to the Roadster's eye-catching design and scorching acceleration. But equal numbers of early adopters buy the Roadster because they see it as their social responsibility. They are proud to support a company whose goal is to develop more and more affordable cars – a model automaker that's democratizing EVs. This is a stark contrast to car companies whose revenue goes toward cranking out yet more gas guzzlers.
In the past year, the auto industry has come to a clear consensus: The future is electric. Every mainstream automaker is working on hybrid or electric concept cars, prototypes or limited-production fleets. But Tesla remains the only production automaker selling a highway-capable EV in North America and Europe. We are relentlessly driving down the cost of EVs so that more and more consumers can experience these incredible vehicles.

(End of Part One)

[AndyH]

California regulation reduces carbon in fuel

Less than a week after the EPA's seminal finding, California approved the world's first regulation to minimize the amount of carbon in fuel. The rule puts the Golden State on the cutting edge of promoting alternative fuels and alternative-fuel vehicles -- and it came at the same time that the world's "most complete" EV charging station opened at a mall in suburban Sacramento.
The regulation, which will be phased in starting Jan. 1, seeks to slash 16 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year and return California emissions to 1990 levels. The standard is expected to serve as a template for a national policy advocated by President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress.
According to the rule, the California Air Resources Board will use fuel consumption in 2010 as a baseline for 2020. To meet the reduced targets, petroleum producers must use alternative fuels -- including electricity and biofuels -- for personal transportation. The ruling could widen the cost advantage that electricity already commands over gasoline, giving consumers even more of a financial incentive to buy an EV.
The price advantage of electricity over petroleum is already considerable. Gasoline would have to be less than $1 per gallon for the pure electric Roadster to as cheap to refuel as a comparable gasoline-consuming sports car. But consider a likely future scenario with the Model S, which has an anticipated base price of $49,900 after a US federal tax credit. If you assume that gasoline costs $4.25 per gallon – the same as it was last summer, and a screaming bargain right now in Europe -- the Model S is equivalent to a gas guzzler with a sticker price of about $35,000. Importantly, those savings are realized immediately if you lease a Model S, so there is no need to wait years to earn back the price difference.

Model S: More than 900 reservations so far

Given the cost advantages, it might not come as a surprise that we've received about 900 reservations for the Model S. The surge of reservations online and at showrooms in California proves without a doubt that there's pent-up demand for a car that doesn't compromise on performance, utility or efficiency.
The Model S does 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and will have an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. A 17-inch touchscreen with in-car 3G connectivity means you can listen to Pandora Radio or consult Google Maps, or check the car's state of charge remotely on your iPhone. The Model S can be recharged from any 120V, 208V or 240V outlet or quick-charged from an external direct current supply in only 45 minutes.
Tesla also is taking reservations for the Model S Signature Edition with a $40,000 reservation fee, which is refundable. Tesla will produce only 2,000 Signature Edition cars, which will be the first built and have unique interior and exterior features. Signature Edition cars will be evenly split between US and European customers.
Thanks for reading, and I hope to see some of you in New York later this week.
Elon Musk

[AndyH]

Originally Posted by Alchemist

Andy,

IMO, the Tesla's accomplishment is exciting news for the EV fans! Thanks for sharing this info.

My pleasure! I'm glad Tesla, Aptera, and the others are pressing forward even as the 'used-to-be-big-3' are being forced kicking and screaming into a new automotive age.