Gavin Newsom takes a look at the Tesla Model S with Elon Musk

Want a private tour of the Tesla Model S? Try being California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, who is also the host of The Gavin Newsom Show.

All that Current TV is releasing so far is a brief clip of Newsom talking with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, mostly getting a tour of the car's huge touchscreen. What's perhaps most enlightening about this video (available below) is that this is intended for a broad audience, and so we can sort of make assumptions about how the Model S is going to infiltrate the broader culture. The touch screen is "like an iPad" and charging is "no big deal" because of the big lithium-ion battery pack and the ability to charge at home. When you're out and about (and Tesla actually builds some), you can charge the pack in an hour with at SuperCharger Musk makes it all sound so easy. Thus, like the Roadster (and the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt and others) before it, the Model S will help shift public opinion on electric vehicles. As we've seen, all the early reviews make it sound like a spectacular hit; we'll see if this trend continues.

Newsom will broadcast a full interview with Musk, Peter Diamandis (who was behind the Automotive X Prize) and journalist Paul Ingrassia Friday night at 11 p.m. Eastern on Current. We're guessing they'll talk cars, space ships and more.




Source: Autoblog Green