Green revolution

Palo Alto-based Tesla Motors was set up in 2003 with the aim of mass-producing eco-friendly electric cars. The first such battery-operated model — which averaged 400 km on a single charge — was the Tesla Roadster, now not currently in production. Today, the company ships the more popular Model S, an electric hatchback, which costs upwards of $70,000. In order to make electric cars more feasible for buyers, Tesla has set up several charging stations across the US, where car-owners can stop for a quick recharge. The company currently produces 500 vehicles a week, but prices are still beyond the average consumer’s reach, though it hopes to soon offer models in the $30,000-$35,000 range. The automaker plans to deliver about 6,000 vehicles in the fourth quarter of this calendar year, thus bringing the annual sales tally to 21,500 units. The company still has a long way to go: Tesla’s quarterly numbers are equivalent to what Ford Motor clocks in a single day.