A quick overview of why new auto technology costs so much

Our recent post on the continuing quest by Spokane inventor Rick Woodbury to win the Automotive X Prize produced questions by commentators. Among them:  Who would buy one of his cars, when they cost about $120,000?  What does it mean to say the test requires contestants to develop motors that operate with 100 M.P.G. equivalence? How do you explain that equivalence?

This 2008 interview at the Web2Summit (hosted by OReilly.com) with Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk touches on those points, and adds a lot more interesting discussion on the challenge of developing successful electric vehicles.

Good luck, Rick Woodbury.