CEO Elon Musk, founder and chairman of Tesla Motors Inc., announced that they have been working with Daimler AG since 2007 to produce the Smart Car Electric microcars, with Tesla providing the battery packs and chargers need for initial plan to deliver 1,000 vehicles by the end of the year. During the North American International Auto Show, Musk told the Society of Automotive Analysts, “If the 1,000-vehicle fleet is a success and the economics make sense and the product is compelling, that will expand to tens of thousands of vehicles per year.”

Musk stressed that Daimler is looking at this joint project very seriously. Last year, Daimler brought the Smart fortwo to the United States during the time when gas prices skyrocketed. It reached more than 24,000 in sales, at US$12,000. The two-seater call is less than 9 feet long and carries a three-cylinder engine that produces 41 mpg (5.7 liters per 100 kilometers) during highway driving.

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Electric cars have come a long way in a short time frame. Moving away from the original low speed restrictions and little box type design, the convertible Tesla Roadster is sexy, fast and the ultimate in luxury. Even though it is an electric car, it might even be considered a chick-magnet for all you guys out there worried about how you look in an eco-friendly vehicle.

Aside from the sharp looking appearance and the obvious fuel efficiency, the Tesla Roadster sports many other positive features. A normal gasoline driven vehicle requires many parts to make the car ignite and the motor run. The Tesla, on the other hand, only has a rotor so one of the biggest advantages is not having parts break down and the expense of being repaired. In addition to fewer replacement parts, the battery of the Tesla replaces the fuel tank of traditional vehicles. Eliminating the need for gas makes this battery cost efficient and much cleaner to use. At the same time, it is high powered with the ability to deliver power allowing the roadster to go from zero to sixty in four seconds.

Further, the motor, approximately the size of a watermelon, has been designed to store energy for propelling the vehicle rather than heating up the car needlessly expending precious energy. The transmission works like a manual but is easier to manage much like an automatic. All of these points help to make the car more conducive to positive interaction with the planet as opposed to destroying it.

Looks a little like a Lotus Elise, doesn’t it?

More info on Tesla Motors dot com.