After the Tesla semi truck event on November 16th, many car enthusiasts have been left wondering if electric vehicles really are the future of sports cars.  During the event, Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, left everyone surprised by unveiling the next fully electric sports car, the “Tesla Roadster.”  It shares a name with their first car that was released in 2008.

Tesla claims 0-60 mph will happen in 1.9 seconds, 0-100 mph will happen in 4.2 seconds, and the quarter mile will happen in 8.8 seconds.  They say it will have a top speed of over 250 mph.  Most supercars today can’t reach 60 mph in under 2.3 seconds, because they can’t generate enough traction.  According to MotorTrend, the only production car that hit 60 mph in under 2.3 seconds in their testing was the Tesla Model S P100D, which is a full sized sedan.  This alone makes Elon Musk’s 1.9 second claim have some credibility to it, even though it hasn’t been officially proven by any other publication.

Many people interested in cars had their eyes opened when the information on the Tesla Roadster was released. When asked if he thought that electric cars were the future of sports cars, Junior Isaac Loker said, “I could see them being the future of sports cars, due to quicker acceleration, but I do not see them becoming the future of all cars.  I just feel the old gas burners have always been around, and new technology can make them just as efficient as an electric car.”

“It’s a great idea that won’t be easily achieved,” said Junior Kyle Sledge, when asked what he thought about the potential of all sports cars being electric in the future.  He would, however, definitely own one.  

When asked if he thought electric cars are the future of sports cars, Junior Dalton Smith said he thinks they will be.  He believes with current technology, the eco-friendly push, and the fact that electric cars make instant torque where gas motors cannot, it is very possible electric sports cars are the future.  Junior Bryon Withrow does not believe that electric cars are the future.  He says that he believes a gas powered car can, and will, have more power than an electric one.

The “Tesla Roadster” will be one of the first electric cars that can compete with both traditional gas sports cars and supercars.  While not all are willing to accept the new technology, it has opened many minds of car enthusiasts to the idea that electric cars may truly be the future of sports cars.