OSLO, Aug 8 — The electric car company created by Paypal co-founder and all-round innovator Elton Musk is taking the first step towards what could be a true personal mobility revolution. The first deliveries of Tesla Model S executive electric cars beyond the US began this week, when the cutting-edge battery-powered vehicle arrived in Norway.

In the coming weeks and months further deliveries, even further afield, are expected to take place.

Despite its comparatively large price tag - US$70,000 (RM210,000) for a base model, Tesla has sold 10,500 Model S sedans in the first six months of this year and claims that by the end of 2014 it will be building and selling 40,000 a year. The car has already taken over Silicon Valley where its owners talk about it in terms verging on religious - just like early Apple Computer adopters - and by the end of next year, it's very likely that there will be similar electric car converts waxing lyrical in mainland Europe and China, the car's next stop.

During the company's quarterly earnings call yesterday, the company's CEO, Elton Musk revealed that the SUV Model X is going into production and the first deliveries should be expected at the end of 2014 before larger scale production ramps up in 2015.

He also confirmed that a right-hand-drive version of the Model S, primarily for Japan is also currently in development, but that's just the start: “Then there is the China version and actually there's the European version...In Europe, we are actually not trying to push sales very hard because if you order a car in Europe you are going to get it get it in, like maybe, November. So we really again need to improve our production. We need to make sure that the entry of the car into Europe is smooth, that people have a good experience with the car, that all the service centers are there, that the people are well trained,” said Musk, who also confirmed that a cheaper car, the ‘Gen 3' is also in development.

“I see a fairly clear path to that vehicle. I have high confidence that we can create a compelling [car] for around US$35,000, compelling meaning a 200 mile range,” he said. — AFP-Relaxnews