According to Internode, the entire 3000km journey cost just $126.11 using Greenpower electricity. And that’s peak service – if they’d bought the power off peak it would have cost just $69.11. That’s the equivalent of running at about 1.22 litres per 100km for petrol users.

Of course, I reckon it’ll take quite a few 3000km roadtrips to justify the $160,000 price of the Roadster. But as a justification for the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, this is pretty persuasive.

[Internode]

Of course, you may not be able to play something as complex as the themes from your favourite video games, but you might be able to put together a little rendition of Chopsticks or Funkytown without having to worry about electrocuting yourself. Hit the link to give it a shot. [ArcAttack]

The world record happened on the fourth day of his 3000km journey, where Simon and his co-driver pushed the Roadster to take them 501km on a single charge, smashing the previous record by 110km.

That’s a pretty fantastic effort. If only we could all drive Roadsters, the world would be a much better place.

[Internode]

“My first observations positively terrified me as there was present in them something mysterious, not to say supernatural, and I was alone in my laboratory at night.”
- Nikola Tesla 1901

“The sounds I am listening to every night at first appear to be human voices conversing back and forth in a language I cannot understand. I find it difficult to imagine that I am actually hearing real voices from people not of this planet. There must be a more simple explanation that has so far eluded me.”
- Nikola Tesla 1918

Is it science or the supernatural? Check out the video to see what the radio is capable of and, if your are so inclined, build one and decide for yourself. Needless to say, this would be a hit at a Halloween party. Hit the link for a complete set of instructions. [Instructables]

The Global Green Challenge, in case you’ve not heard of it, is a 3000km, week-long road race running from Darwin to Adelaide. It’s a test for all manner of alternative energy vehicles to test their eco-friendly credentials.

There are 54 vehicles competing in the challenge, including 37 solar-powered cars and 17 production vehicles. In order to keep the Roadster charged, the team has a generator on the back of a truck, which runs ahead of the electric vehicle and stops at points along the way to simulate having a recharging infrastructure in place. Sure, that probably won’t happen for a while yet, but it’s going to be an interesting race to follow this week. You can follow Simon’s travels on his blog here.

Using a CD jewel case, some magnets and a 12-volt air compressor, you can build an elaborate Tesla turbine sharpener for pencils you probably don’t even use. Oh, did I mention it could kill you?

Indeed, the instructions point out that a strong enclosure is required just in case the whole damn thing explodes in your face. But, in the end, your risk will be rewarded with a machine that takes down a pencil at over 2200rpm. Hey, why not scale this thing up for a wood chipper? Put the whole neighbourhood at risk. [Hacked Gadgets]

The numbers broke down to about $US20 million in revenue and $US1 million in profit. That $US465 million is set to fund development on the company’s first sedan offering, the $US50,000 Tesla Model S. Not stumbling anymore, it seems. [CNN]

People love cheating death by standing right under some Tesla Coils going crazy, protecting themselves in Faraday Cages.

They also like playing music through Tesla Coils, especially super nerdy music like the Zelda theme song.

And people even use his toys to protect their computers, although that ones isn’t all to practical. You can see that one in action above.

So for all that you’ve done for us, we thank you Mr. Tesla. Here’s to another couple of centuries of shocking fun.

Think about it: The only time you’d go to a fair (and not be miserable) is during a sunny summer’s day, just the right time to absorb a ton of solar energy and use it to power rides like a carousel and Ferris wheel. The fair also featured an edible garden, a solar-powered audio show and a display of electric vehicles from Tesla as well as retrofitted classic cars. Hell, anything to make a county fair exciting again, right? [Inhabitant]

From WiredBiz’s twitter feed:

A sub $US10,000, zero-emissions car will be the most desirable consumer electronics device in history.

Apparently, the quote came up while discussing Tesla with founder Elon Musk. When asked how he is reacting to the Detroit meltdown, Wired editor Chris Anderson noted in his twitter feed that Musk would like to buy a car factory and build 100,000 cars a year. That having been said, do you agree or disagree with Agassi’s assessment?