Can a Swiss and German EV Startup Challenge Tesla?

(Image courtesy of ELEXTRA.)

For the last 13 years, Tesla Motors has dominated discussions of electric cars. Not only are Tesla vehicles zero-emission machines (that is, after manufacturing, tires changes and other maintenance), they’re extremely safe and with an acceleration from 0-60 MPH in 2.28 seconds they can best Porsche and Ferrari in a stretch. But now, Tesla’s reign at the top of the EV charts might be getting a bit shaky. It’s not just the competition from the major automotive players. More recently, an upstart company named ELEXTRA debuted a powerful electric supercar at the Geneva Motor Show.

As of now, the only details that we know about the ELEXTRA is that the car has sweeping Italian sports car lines, a low profile, four doors and will be limited to a run of 100 vehicles. Oh, the company also says that its four-wheel drive will race from 0-100 km/h (62 MPH) in 2.3 seconds. That’s mighty fast. Tesla fast, in reality.

“The idea behind ELEXTRA is to combine pure lines reminding of the most exciting Italian super cars of the past, whilst being resolutely forward looking thanks to its low, sleek and beautiful design, paired with today's most advanced technology,” said Robert Palm, ELEXTRA’s chief designer.

Though details about the ELEXTRA are still scant, the company has promised more info in the coming months. If ELEXTRA can produce a short run supercar, it might be able to move forward and eventually make the leap to mass-manufacture vehicles, a feat that truly places Tesla Motors on the map. Until that day, Tesla doesn’t have much to worry about from the likes of ELEXTRA, but it would be interesting to see today’s most popular and sexiest EV manufacturer dethroned by another startup.

Can Tesla Manufacture 500,000 Cars Annually by 2018? Follow the link to find out.