01. The 2012 Tesla Model S Is All-Electric
Unlike a hybrid vehicle - or even an extended-range hybrid such as the Chevrolet Volt - the 2012 Tesla Model S derives 100 percent of its motivation from electricity, with no assistance whatsoever from a traditional internal combustion engine. As such, the vehicle does not produce any emissions, and is almost completely silent when underway. The Tesla Model S relies on a single AC electric motor that is capable of generating a monstrous 416 horsepower along with 443 lb-ft of torque - output that is sent to the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission.