New small exec EV from Tesla 16 | 08 | 2011

THE GROWTH OF electric cars is set to accelerate even faster after American manufacturer Tesla — already responsible for the ultra-fast Roadster sports car (pictured) — confirmed it plans to launch a small executive car, currently labelled Model S, globally from mid-2012.

The company hopes the new development will widen its scope from being a niche brand that sells only the expensive Roadster sports car.

To put that in perspective, while the Tesla Roadster sports car has a base price of $109,000 (£67,000 at today's exchange rate)— and most are selling at $140,000 or more — the base model of the Model S will cost about $57,400 (£35,200) in the USA.

Watch our video of the Tesla Roadster

The new model will have three battery offerings that will be designed to have a range of 160 miles, 230 miles or 300 miles on a full charge. And as a sign of moving into the more mainstream EV marketplace, Tesla will phase out the Roadster in January 2012 to focus on the Model S.

The company also plans to unveil its Model X SUV prototype in December, ahead of launching a production version in late 2013.

As it prepares for the new Model S car, Tesla has recruited Ravi Simhambhatla as vice president of information technology and business applications, Greg Reichow as vice president of powertrain operations, Peter Carlsson as vice president of supply chain and John Hillegass as vice president of design and retail development, as it prepares for the new Model S car.

Hillegass, a former Intel and Apple executive, will be responsible for developing Tesla's global retail network.

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Craig James