Electric cars boxy, ugly? Think again

HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) - Dustin Krause understands what most people think about electric cars. "They think, 'OK, this is going to be a boxy, ugly car that has no performance.'"

But he laughs. Krause, who works for Tesla Motors, added, "I'll show you that that's going to be quite different. We are going to accelerate quite quickly here."

He wasn't kidding.

24 Hour News 8 took a test drive in the Tesla Roadster, a sleek, stylish, sexy and very fast electric car with 275 horse power. It outperforms the Ferrari California, going from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds.

But the Tesla's entry into the electric car market is about more than speed. The idea is to create a mindset among consumers that electric cars are not glorified golf carts.

"This car brings the technology to market, allows us to understand how people use it, and will promote this technology as it continues to grow," Krause said.

The Tesla Roadster handles amazingly well. But at $109,000, it may not be exactly what you had in mind for an electric car.

The Chevy Volt, which debuts later this year, runs on electricty for the first 40 miles before an electric engine takes over. It's top speed is nowhere near the Tesla, but at $41,000 it won't hurt your finances as much.

The Nissan LEAF should also be out this year. Rated at 100 miles on a charge, the suggested price is $32,800. Ford's Focus electric car will come out in 2011 and also goes about 100 miles on a charge. Its sticker price is expected around $30,000.

In 2012, the Tesla S will debut, with about 150 miles-per-charge and a retail price around $57,000.