Tesla promises 250 roadsters for Europe

CNET reports that "[t]he location of the site (Beverly Hills, MiM) reflects the high-end shopping experience it intends to create for the flashy $109,000 Tesla Roadster. The next store, slated to open in San Carlos, Calif. in a couple months, will be set up to appeal to the Silicon Valley tech elite."

One of our readers, eager to get her hands on the roadster, asked us whether we knew anything about a European introduction of it. Fortunately, Darryl Siry - Tesla's vice sales and marketing president - is a fervent blogger:

"[N]ew rules will be introduced in April 2009 that simplify the homologation of Electric Vehicles across the EU, including special provisions for low volume manufacturers. This simplifies the effort for Tesla Motors to introduce the Tesla Roadster into Europe as a special limited edition in 2009, ahead of our original schedule.

This special limited edition will sell for 99,000 Euros (excluding taxes, MiM) for a fully loaded car, to be delivered in 2009 shortly after the rule change takes effect."

Would you happen to be interested in adding the roadster to your municipal or corporate fleet, get in touch with the people at Tesla Motors soon. However, be prepared to line up behind former F1 champion Damon Hill, Prince Albert of Monaco and U2's lead singer Bono, who all showed up at a European presentation of the wanted vehicle, held in Monaco a week ago.

While waiting for the car to be delivered to your doorstep, have a look at Jay Leno test-driving the 2008 Roadster. "Batteries included", right here.