While Tesla has been the forefront of electric car technology, some new electric entries from other auto makers are showing that the California company may be in for some competition.
Toyota’s Prius has topped the hybrid market, then Tesla upped the ante with its all-electric vehicles. This week at the Frankfurt auto show, most car makers revealed new all-electric cars, with Porsche taking the spotlight for their electric concept car, according to CNN.
Porsche’s Mission E is a 4-door, 4-seater sports model that puts out 600 horsepower with its all-electric engine. With a battery range of more than 300 miles, the car competes ably with Tesla’s model S. Incredibly, Porsche says the battery can recharge to 80 percent in just 15 minutes.
BMW also released its latest entry with its second-generation i8, a plug-in hybrid that is already on the market. The i8 goes 0 to 60 in under 4.5 seconds and can reach a top speed of 155 miles per hour. The company’s design head says that his team is inspired by art, nature, fashion and other sources, which shows through in the car’s organic style.
A Tesla spokesman expressed no concern with the coming competition from other auto makers. On the contrary, the company seeks to change the industry, he said, so the movement towards more electric vehicles is vindication of their mission.