"If you live in North Carolina and you've been debating whether to buy a new Tesla, you'd better do it soon. The state's Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved a bill that would prevent auto manufacturers such as Tesla from selling their cars directly to consumers — rather than through dealerships — in the state. Republican Senator Tom Apodaca who sponsored the bill says it's to "prevent unfair competition" between manufacturers and dealers. (And that has nothing to do with the campaign contributions he receives from the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association)."
Glad I do not live in a Red state. What's with the Republican's trying to ban stuff with laws? I do not like it one bit. Remember Corporations are people too. Geez

If anything electric cars should be much more reliable than a gasoline powered car due to the sheer simplicity of the EV drive train. Since the car is made almost entirely of Aluminum it should last much longer than a traditional steel bodied car. Battery life is the only area where it could see some problems however it should last at least 8 to 10 year or so before seeing a significant loss in driving range. Yet even then the 85 KWhr vehicles should still be capable of 180 miles or so of range even 8 to 10 years out.

Tesla Model S is the only EV that can compete with and beat gasoline powered sport sedans, that cost as much or even more, at their own game. It is a game changing automobile that proves electric cars can be as good or even better than a gasoline powered car. I am looking forward to their more affordable Blue star sedan that should be coming out mid 2015.

Unlike all the other Bland 75 mile range Ev's out there. Tesla Model S sells it's self by being a great sport sedan. There is no leaves on the dashboard to grow or fall off or lack luster acceleration because its a glorified golf car. None of this buy me because I am good for the planet and of course No lame idea of having a Polar bear to hug you. Tesla Model S is the only Ev that can actually compete with gasoline sport sedans and beat them at their own game. It's a game changer because it shows how good an electric car really can be.

I agree, I am delighted that Tesla is able to secure enough Li/ion cells from Panasonic that they can build a cost effective yet powerful battery pack with 85KW/Hrs of capacity. I would like to see some of these Li/ion cells come from an American company but as long as they are designing and producing the cars here in the USA I feel that they are doing a great job driving the market towards sustainable renewable energy for transportation. Elon Musk is an innovator and a visionary and when he makes up his mind to do something he makes sure it will happen.

It could help provide a push that could get us to fully embrace EV's in order to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels for transportation. Electricity is a great fuel for our transportation needs since it can be made from renewable energy sources such as solar cells, and wind turbines and Hydroelectric as well as possible new forms of renewables such as tidal energy such as using the tides in a large river systems where they dump into the oceans as a way to generate electricity. Ev's can also be fitted with regenerative braking as well as new electricity generating shock absorbers that can generate electricity from bumps in the road as we drive too.

Blue is the most common color for the Leaf.

Rear Bike rack. I would not want to risk dirtying up or scratching up the interior of my car. I am waiting for the Blue star sedan coming hopefully 2015. Hopefully it will be offered in a hatchback design. I have a hatchback Hyundia Elantra and it is an amazing cargo carrier too.

Well Tesla is the first truly practical EV that you can really use as an every day driver. Tesla is the only Ev that actually provides a comparable driving experience compared to gasoline powered cars in its price range. That is were Tesla really excels. Every other EV sold is just a mere commuter car with a seemingly agreed upon range of 75 miles. Jay Leno joked that Tesla Model S was the only Ev that was actually driven to his Jay Leno's Garage location. All others (EV's)had to be put an a flat bed and trucked there since they did not have the range to actually drive there without having to be recharged before the show could be filmed.

Tesla has the right idea with the supercharger network. It would essentially remove the biggest stumbling block about taking an EV cross country that is long recharge times. I do not feel that it is too much of an inconvenience to stop for 1/2 hour after 3 hours of driving to recharge. the average gas station stop takes 10 to 15 minutes anyway so this would make the Tesla Model S into an effective interstate cruising machine. I could see recharging stations being put up every 200 or so miles on the freeways and free*(part of $60/month fee) would be cheap in comparison to gasoline.