The Tesla has zero emissions, zero motor oil and only one moving part in the watermelon sized motor. That means no lubricating oils, filters, coolant, clutches, spark plugs and wires, a PCV valve, oxygen sensors, a timing belt, a fan belt, a water pump and hoses, a catalytic converter, a muffler, etc – all items requiring regular service. And that little motor is so efficient! It’s 85-95 % efficient at converting electric energy to rotational energy instead of heat. This way the precious stored energy of the battery ends up propelling you down the road instead of just heating up the trunk.

Speaking of stored energy, can you say regenerative braking? It recovers and stores the energy usually lost when you slow down, extending your battery charge even further, and delivering higher miles-per-charge on in-town driving. Whenever you slow down, you send a charge back into the battery making traffic lights a little less annoying. But just a little.

The battery can be charged from completely dead to full in about 3.5 hours. Most people won’t drain the battery though because it’s just so easy to plug it in every night like your cell phone to let it charge. And if you happen to be away from home; you just take your mobile charging kit out and you can plug into any standard outlet. Even with the demands of charging and discharging the battery pack on a daily basis, the batteries in the Tesla will give you more than 100,000 miles of peak performance driving. After that point, the battery will see only gradual drops in performance over time.

More fun perks:

* Single-occupancy access to all carpool lanes
* Income tax credit (awaiting new legislation)
* A luxury car that’s fully exempt from the luxury car tax
* Free parking at charging stations at LAX
* No parking meter fees in an increasing number of major metropolitan area

Now I could spout off numbers and specs at you all day to tell you how awesome this car is, or you can test drive one in LA. I’ll meet you there.

Check Tire Pressure Regularly – Low tires increase drag and reduce your fuel efficiency. Check tires and make sure they stay inflated.

Avoid Fast Acceleration – Don’t be first off the line when the light turns green; instead gradually speed up to reduce the fuel required to get up to speed. In town this often has the added effect of spending less time at traffic lights because you’re not racing to the next stop.

Use Friction Reducing Oil – Engine oils with friction reducing additives can improve fuel economy by as much as 12%.

Keep Windows Closed – Windows create drag when rolled down and can actually reduce fuel efficiency more than using A/C.

Replace Air Filters Regularly – Clogged air filters can decrease fuel efficiency by as much as 10%.

Plan Errands for Efficiency – Making one trip with several stops is more efficient on fuel than making several trips starting from home. It also leaves you more time for doing something besides driving.

Don’t Keep it Running – If you need to wait for a few minutes while your spouse runs into a store, turn the engine off. You’re wasting gas while you’re idling and polluting the air at the same time.

Use Cruise Control – On long trips, cruise control can make an extra couple of miles per gallon difference, not to mention saving your leg from cramping while your foot is stuck to the gas pedal.

Haul stuff Inside the Car – While it’s tempting to strap things to the roof, hauling materials inside whenever possible makes a big difference on gas mileage. Your car was designed to allow air to flow around the body. Strapping your mother-in-law to the roof may be tempting, but she creates drag.

Reduce Weight in Your Car – Cutting 100lbs in weight from the load your car carries can reduce your gas bill for the year by as much as $200. Cutting more makes that number go up. Here are some simple ways to cut weight:

• Don’t carry around extra stuff in your trunk. All that stuff adds up.
• Get a smaller battery – if you live in a warm climate, you don’t need all those cold cranking amps. Swap that heavy battery for a performance battery (consult with a mechanic no this one before trying it at home).
• Go on a diet – that sounds silly, but your health isn’t the only thing that’s suffering from that extra weight
• If you have removable seats you don’t need, store them in the garage -seats are heavy.

This video shows another interesting way you might be able to increase your gas mileage: