News.com reports that in a press conference to announcement the arrival of Tesla Motors’ Chairman Elon Musk’s Roadster, CEO Ze'ev Drori stated that Tesla Motors will produce two versions of its Whitestar sedan, due toward the end of 2009. As previously announced one model will be solely battery powered with a 150 to 200 mile range. The other will be a range-extended vehicle, or REV similar to General Motors’ Chevy Volt in which a small gas engine is used to generate electricity to power the vehicle once its batteries are depleted,
The key advantage of REVs are the better range. GM is aiming for the Chevy Volt to have a 40 mile electric only range plus 600 miles using its extender engine. News.com does not state what the expected battery only range of the gas-electric Whitestar is but does note that it is expected cost slightly less than battery only model which Tesla expects to cost $50,000 to $70,000 range depending on battery size.
If the electric-gas Whitestar is successful it could face some stiff competition, any experience GM gains from developing the $30,000 to $40,000 Chevy Volt could be easily transferred to its Cadillac division.