Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) stated that its Model S electric cars are, also, under UK government’s consideration for its official fleet. The Government Car service responsible for providing vehicles for the U.K. ministries will buy more than 150 ultra-low emission vehicles, according to the statement of the nation’s Department for Transport. The initial budget for this purpose is 5 million pounds, as per the statement.
“The Model S we understand will be under evaluation for inclusion,” said Simon Sproule, Palo Alto, California-based Tesla’s spokesman, and added, “it would be great to see California-built Teslas transporting Her Majesty’s ministers on official business across London.”
Model S a fit for UK Streets
Sproule said that the range of Model S, which is more or less 250 miles per charge, is the best among all the cars being weighed by the U.K. program. He added that it is the only car that can run at least two trips between 10 Downing Street and Chequers without a recharge.
Karl Brauer, a senior industry analyst for Kelley Blue Book in Irvine, said that London streets are cramped, and the driver cannot drive very fast, which is why an electric car turns out to be a viable option instead of paying high fees for gasoline powered vehicles. Brauer added that the Model S can have some Halo-effect if it is chosen by the government.
Tesla ramping international presence
Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is ramping up international shipping of the Model S and plans to push its production by more than 50% this year. In the United Kingdom, the company started delivering Model S with the entry price-tag of 50,280 pounds from June, and China got its first Model S, in April. Sproule mentioned that Tesla Model S will be available in Hong Kong next week.
A relatively low price point vehicle anticipated from Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is officially named as Model III, and will rollover by 2017. On a full-charge, the car can zoom to at least 200 miles or 322 kilometers, and the base price will be almost half of the Model S U.S. price $ 70,000. The Model X, a cross-over from Tesla is expected to arrive in 2015.
