Fast (also Electric) Cars

Posted by on June 30, 2006

Yesterday, I was in Miami with Mayor Manny Diaz who announced a new EcoZone initiative for his city, along with an impressive new Health District anchored by the University of Miami medical school. Mayor Diaz took the opportunity to drive Damlier-Chrysler's Gem car, an electric car that holds four and can accelerate to 25 miles an hour. (After the test drive, the mayor kept saying, "I could drive that to work.")

But a group of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs think 25 is puny. They are thinking more Porche than putt-putt.

Telsa Motors expects to sell its first fast electric car next year. Investors include Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin and PayPal co-founder Elon Musk.

Wrightspeed Inc. of Woodside and battery maker Li-on Cells of Menlo Park are other Valley-based companies developing electric cars or components.

Read more in Technology Review.