Simon Hackett’s record-breaking 3000km odyssey from Darwin to Adelaide driving a fully-electric sports car \has achieved remarkable energy efficiency figures equal to fuel use of 1.6 litres per 100 km.

Simon owns Australia’s only Tesla Roadster, the world’s first fully electric production supercar, accelerating from 0-100 km per hour in 3.9 seconds and capable of a 200-km-per-hour top speed.

The cost of electricity for the Tesla’s journey was $126.11 using 100% GreenPower (4 cents per km), at on-peak rates, according to a report on the car’s energy consumption during the Darwin to Adelaide journey. Using off-peak GreenPower, that cost could be as low as $69.11 (2.2 cents per km)

The Roadster’s energy consumption is measured in watt hours per kilometre (Wh/km), which translates into fuel-equivalence with the online calculator at http://ecomodder.com/forum/tool-conversions.php.

The Tesla’s best energy performance was on its record-breaking trip when it travelled more than 500km on a single charge from Alice Springs to south of Marla in SA.  The car consumed 108 Wh/km – equal to a fuel-powered car consuming 1.22 litres of fuel per 100 km: That’s 193 miles per gallon in US measures!

In addition to its spectacular energy efficiency, the Roadster produced no carbon emissions during the epic road trip. *

Simon Hackett, managing director of national broadband company Internode, described the Tesla’s energy efficiency figures as “amazing”.  “In effective terms, this EV (Electric Vehicle) is more than twice as efficient as any petrol or diesel car on the road – no contest,” he said.

“We feel that we have tested the Roadster in a very harsh environment indeed – and in that environment, it has come through with flying colours. We couldn’t be happier about the results of our efforts.”

Full details of the Tesla Roadster’s energy consumption are published at http://blog.internode.on.net/2009/10/31/tesla-roadster-ggc-2009-performance-results/

* Please note that the energy efficiency and carbon emission calculations are for the performance of the Tesla Roadster itself. Support vehicles, including the diesel generator that was used to simulate the availability of power recharging infrastructure, are excluded from these calculations.  All actual emissions generated from these sources were offset by Carbon Planet (http://www.carbonplanet.com)

About Internode www.internode.on.net

Internode is a first tier IP carrier committed to using broadband technology to redefine the national telecommunications environment. The Australian-owned company is a trailblazer that delivers broadband services to individuals and businesses throughout Australia. Follow Internode online at www.internode.on.net/about/follow_us_online.

Internode PR for media assistance: Impress Media Australia www.impress.com.au

Call John Harris on (08) 8431 4000 or email jharris@impress.com.au