On November 30, Tesla Motors CEO Martin Eberhard participated in a press conference with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that highlighted alternative fuel vehicles, including the Tesla Roadster. During the press conference, Martin gave the following thoughtful (though brief) speech:

Martin with Gov. Schwarzenegger
at the press conference

Thank you Governor Schwarzenegger. It is an honor for me to be here today.

Tesla Motors is a new company focused on creating desirable, high performance, zero-emissions vehicles.

Tesla Motors believes that electric cars are by far the best choice for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and for American energy independence because electric cars allow diversity of energy production – from coal and natural gas to wind and solar power – and because a well designed electric car breaks the compromise between performance and efficiency.

Today we are showing our first car, the Tesla Roadster – a high-performance carbon fiber and aluminum sports car that does 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds without using a drop of gasoline and costing only pennies per mile to drive.

The Tesla Roadster is for sale right now; first deliveries will be late next summer. For more information, please visit our website at teslamotors.com.