European car leasing firm, Athlon Car Lease has signed an agreement with Tesla Motors to make the firm’s electric models available to businesses across Europe.
The new leasing programme will make the Silicon Valley’s all-electric sports car models, the Roadster and Roadster Sport available on contract in countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. Furthermore, the new programme will be expanded to include the car maker’s newest vehicle, the Model S, when that becomes available in late 2012.
With the first ‘highway capable EV’, Tesla has already delivered over 1,650 Roadsters in over 30 countries worldwide. The Roadster model has a range of around 245 miles and a top speed of 125mph, accelerating to 60mph in just 3.9 seconds. It is credited with helping shift the perception that electric cars are slow, sluggish vehicles with unpractical driving ranges.
Now Tesla has its sights set on dispelling another EV myth in producing an ‘more affordable and practical family electric vehicle’ with its Model S. The new car will be a premium four seater sedan, with space for all the family.
Athlon Car Lease, specialises in leasing programmes for business and non-profit organisations. It has already shown leadership in providing sustainable mobility solutions for its customers, setting up the CHARGED programme in 2008, which allowed its customers to lease electric vehicles. Tesla’s models will now make an extension to that first programme.
“It’s a pleasure to find such a forward-thinking partner in Athlon Car Lease – a company that shares Tesla’s vision of no compromises between energy-efficiency and driving pleasure,” said George Blankenship, Tesla’s Vice President of Sales and Ownership Experience. “Athlon Car Lease is a valuable partner on our path of social responsibility and environmental sustainability.”
