Wanted to throw a couple of interesting updates on the Green Technology fronts.
I have covered Tesla Motors and even had the pleasure of visiting to their offices in San Carlos. The overhead costs associated with launching a car company are ginormous and rumors are that Tesla is seeking some more dough to help get their efforts off the ground.
“Tesla looking for another $100 million — The electric car maker’s plan is to push production up to 150 cars a month by the end of the year, according to VentureWire. To do this it needs more cash. It will likely get it. Enough said.” per VentureBeat.
While funding for a company as ambitious as Tesla would seem like a daunting challenge, this Bay Area startup seems to have made believers out of VC’s, auto enthusiasts and journalists, Silicon Valley investors (a who’s who of valley CEO’s), as well Hollywood’s A list. Although another $100 million is a lot, VentureBeat is right on as the company has come to far and is too close to slow down now.
In other Tesla news, although many celebrities have said to be on the waiting list for their own Tesla Roadster, Matt Damon became the first celebrity to be seen in one. Although just a test drive, its more encouraging news for Tesla as their production begins to ramp up towards 150 cars a month.
In other green transportation news, this weekend I stumbled upon the California High Speed Train proposal and debate. Likely to be on the ballot this November, the 10 billion dollar proposal looks to connect Sacramento, the Bay Area, Central Valley, Los Angeles, Anaheim, and San Diego on one high speed train line.
Great video below…starts kind of slow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD1QGNsRg74&hl=en&fs=1
You can learn more on the proposal’s wikipedia page or check out the state’s official blog found here.
My take: I have read some analyis taking both sides of the proposal and find myself overwelmingly for the implementation of this system. Housing costs are high forcing a lot of people to make far commutes, gas prices are high, highways are overcrowded, and their is now convenient system connecting this great state’s commerce centers. Yeah this thing is going to be a bitch to build, and usher through all the government bureacy, but the value is their for California citizens and voters. The ends justify all the means and then some. Most transportation efforts at the local effort have failed, so lets’ sack up and Swing for the fences now.
