Tesla gets a waiver on airbag rules for the Roadster
Amongst the announcements that Tesla made last week about the getting all the necessary regulatory approvals to begin selling the Roadster in the U.S. was one about a waiver on an airbag rule. This does not mean that the Roadster doesn't have airbags. In fact, it has inflatable pillows for both the driver and passenger. What the Roadster (and the Lotus Elise from which it was derived) lacks are new two-stage airbags. The latest generation of airbags include sensors in the front seats that adjust the inflation rate of the bags based on passenger weight and position. Since the safety systems for the Roadster are carried over from the Elise on this first-generation model, Tesla requested the waiver. Tesla is already planning a revamped interior for the car in the next few years and the passive restraints will likely be part of the update. The first item on the agenda, however, is to generate some cash flow by actually delivering cars to customers.
Gallery: First Drive: Tesla Roadster
[Source: Tesla]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Anne 3:13PM (1/29/2008)
I am a student and my diploma thesis is about the new idea of hybrid-cars. It´s a current and exciting topic. I would be glad if you could tell me what you think about hybrid-cars. Even if you don't know anything about it.
This is my short questionnaire:
http://cmc.psych.uni-goettingen.de/wsg/index.php?sCode=005962f161b15fc8
Thank you for helping me.
Anne
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texmln 10:24PM (1/29/2008)
Here's what I think. If this company can't stay in business without an airbag waiver then it will NEVER be able to survive on its own. This is affirmative action for 'green' cars. And you know how that worked out for humans. So, now we have a double standard. At least we now know exactly which car is the least qualified, least efficient, and least capable - the one that needs an 'affirmative action' plan.
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Darryl 11:11PM (1/29/2008)
@texmin
Lotus, Ferrari, Bugatti, and many other small volume producers get the same waiver. It is designed to allow small companies to stay in business by allowing them to avoid the most onerous of requirements that are set for the much larger companies. It has nothing to do with Tesla being an EV company.
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BGJ 12:34PM (1/30/2008)
Mmmm, I can just taste the bigotry from texmln.
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