IT'S as fast as a Ferrari but cheaper than a moped to run - and this car is set to electrify the world of motoring.
The Tesla Roadster kicks the nerdy image of electric cars into touch with its stylish looks and top speed of 130mph.
Tesla founder Martin Eberhard said: "This is what we hoped to achieve when we started the company - to build a car with zero emissions that people would love to drive."
Assembled by Lotus, the Tesla runs entirely on electricity but does nought to 60 in four seconds - keeping up with the best sports cars around.
It's only got two gears so powering up to 130mph is smooth and easy. And it costs just half a pence a mile and does the equivalent of 135mpg.
Instead of a fuel tank there is an energy store of lithium cells and a computer that shuts down the battery in an emergency.
It can travel 250 miles before needing a recharge - enough to get you from London to Newcastle. And it is as quiet as a hairdryer.
But it is also twice as energy efficient as hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius which runs on petrol and electricity. And it only takes three and a half hours to charge up.
Mr Eberhard said: "It didn't make sense to sell a car that only goes 90 miles on a charge. You spend more time charging the old electric cars than driving them."
Tesla Motors, based in San Carlos, California, believes it will be a massive seller in Britain where petrol has reached over £1 a litre.
The only drawback is the price tag - £50,000. But so far the firm has only made 100 Tesla Roadsters which sold out in three weeks.
Mr Eberhard said: "These early customers are pioneers, helping lay a foundation that will make electric cars possible for everyone - enabling Tesla Motors to develop future models at price points that eventually work for every budget."
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