Tesla IPO +40% - Lithium.Com is Back! TNR.v, CZX.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, CLQ.v, TSLA, GOOG, RIMM, AAPL, FCX, BHP, RTP, F, GM, GDX, SLV, QQQQ, HAO.v,

Tesla's stock finished the day up more than 40% today in a very ugly markets with NASDAQ down more than 4% during the day. Lithium.Com is back and Electric Cars will be the hot thing in the coming years. There is money and there is appetite for the new sector, now we can prep our Lithium and REE plays to be on the radar screens later in this cycle. Tomorrow's reaction will be the best PR campaign after BP's one with Oil Spill for the whole idea about existing alternative to the Oil in our transportation. Even in stagflation with very low nominal growth there will be Pockets of Growth and money will be chasing it. Tesla can not justify any valuation at this level - the only idea about value is Tesla S model still years away from the market, but it is the new Netscape and nobody would like to miss next Google as well. There was simply no place to invest in electric cars play yet and we can see the result today. Long term value will be in a Value Chain for Electric Car. Lithium and REE will be at the foundation of this disruptive technology.

"Surprise, surprise: 50 million - this number will make Electric cars theNext Big Thing with explosive growth rate. Nobody knows for sure, but it is our big IF - What if people decide that it is Cool to Drive an Electric Car? Please note the place of Asia in this estimation: it is demographic situation multiplied by disruption technology to address the Peak Oil scenario. We have a downside risk as usual: Deflation can still grip its power, but with scared G20 leaders RBS is calling now for QE and run of printing press at unprecedented level sighting "the best paper ever written on Depression" by Mr Bernanke. RBS was spot on the money before the crises (it did not help them anyway) and now we have them backing our case. After all the years betting "against the FED" we are putting our bets on the FED and its final resource. Situation is so bad in the Western banking system and with sovereign debt, that there is no other way than to Inflate our way out of the debt and keep all Insolvent system running preventing collapse. In case that we will not end our lives living in caves we will need to cope with much higher Oil prices and it is even more explosive than Bull market in Gold from 2002: we are talking not about wealth preservation, but about food on the table in five years time. With Oil solidly above 80 USD per barrel our Lithium squad will start its second leg up. European debt scare will pass with new amount of Liquidity pumped into the system: pockets of growth will benefit exponentially with flood of money fighting for the yield. Tesla's IPO brings big players into the sector and news wires into action and ignites Electric Fever. Lithium Rush will be next to follow."

Tesla IPO +40% - Lithium.Com is Back! TNR.v, CZX.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, CLQ.v, TSLA, GOOG, RIMM, AAPL, FCX, BHP, RTP, F, GM, GDX, SLV, QQQQ, HAO.v,

Tesla's stock finished the day up more than 40% today in a very ugly markets with NASDAQ down more than 4% during the day. Lithium.Com is back and Electric Cars will be the hot thing in the coming years. There is money and there is appetite for the new sector, now we can prep our Lithium and REE plays to be on the radar screens later in this cycle. Tomorrow's reaction will be the best PR campaign after BP's one with Oil Spill for the whole idea about existing alternative to the Oil in our transportation. Even in stagflation with very low nominal growth there will be Pockets of Growth and money will be chasing it. Tesla can not justify any valuation at this level - the only idea about value is Tesla S model still years away from the market, but it is the new Netscape and nobody would like to miss next Google as well. There was simply no place to invest in electric cars play yet and we can see the result today. Long term value will be in a Value Chain for Electric Car. Lithium and REE will be at the foundation of this disruptive technology.

"Surprise, surprise: 50 million - this number will make Electric cars theNext Big Thing with explosive growth rate. Nobody knows for sure, but it is our big IF - What if people decide that it is Cool to Drive an Electric Car? Please note the place of Asia in this estimation: it is demographic situation multiplied by disruption technology to address the Peak Oil scenario. We have a downside risk as usual: Deflation can still grip its power, but with scared G20 leaders RBS is calling now for QE and run of printing press at unprecedented level sighting "the best paper ever written on Depression" by Mr Bernanke. RBS was spot on the money before the crises (it did not help them anyway) and now we have them backing our case. After all the years betting "against the FED" we are putting our bets on the FED and its final resource. Situation is so bad in the Western banking system and with sovereign debt, that there is no other way than to Inflate our way out of the debt and keep all Insolvent system running preventing collapse. In case that we will not end our lives living in caves we will need to cope with much higher Oil prices and it is even more explosive than Bull market in Gold from 2002: we are talking not about wealth preservation, but about food on the table in five years time. With Oil solidly above 80 USD per barrel our Lithium squad will start its second leg up. European debt scare will pass with new amount of Liquidity pumped into the system: pockets of growth will benefit exponentially with flood of money fighting for the yield. Tesla's IPO brings big players into the sector and news wires into action and ignites Electric Fever. Lithium Rush will be next to follow."

Lithium Drive: Hybrid Electric Cars Likely To Attract 50 Million Potential Buyers TNR.v, CZX.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, CLQ.v, LMR.v, HAO.v, ABN.v, LIT.v,

C.S. Surprise, surprise: 50 million - this number will make Electric cars the Next Big Thing with explosive growth rate. Nobody knows for sure, but it is our big IF - What if people decide that it is Cool to Drive an Electric Car? Please note the place of Asia in this estimation: it is demographic situation multiplied by disruption technology to address the Peak Oil scenario. We have a downside risk as usual: Deflation can still grip its power, but with scared G20 leaders RBS is calling now for QE and run of printing press at unprecedented level sighting "the best paper ever written on Depression" by Mr Bernanke. RBS was spot on the money before the crises (it did not help them anyway) and now we have them backing our case. After all the years betting "against the FED" we are putting our bets on the FED and its final resource. Situation is so bad in the Western banking system and with sovereign debt, that there is no other way than to Inflate our way out of the debt and keep all Insolvent system running preventing collapse. In case that we will not end our lives living in caves we will need to cope with much higher Oil prices and it is even more explosive than Bull market in Gold from 2002: we are talking not about wealth preservation, but about food on the table in five years time. With Oil solidly above 80 USD per barrel our Lithium squad will start its second leg up. European debt scare will pass with new amount of Liquidity pumped into the system: pockets of growth will benefit exponentially with flood of money fighting for the yield. Tesla's IPO brings big players into the sector and news wires into action and ignites Electric Fever. Lithium Rush will be next to follow.

Survey: Hybrid Electric Cars Likely To Attract 50 Million Potential Buyers

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- The plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are likely to attract about 50 million drivers globally, said a survey by Ernst & Young's Global Automotive Centre.

In a statement here Friday, Ernst & Young said over 25 per cent of the drivers surveyed across the US, Europe, China and Japan said they would likely consider buying PHEVs as soon as they were available on the market.

The survey said nearly seven per cent of the respondents indicated they would definitely consider buying a PHEV, it said.

"Applying each market's percentage of those who said they would definitely buy to the number of registered drivers in each region results in a potential early adopter group of approximately 50 million drivers globally, over half of which are in China," it said.

Ernst & Young Global Automotive Leader, Mike Hanley, said the survey showed that PHEVs and electric vehicles had the opportunity to make a significant entrance into the global automotive market over the next few years.

"Even if only a small portion of the survey respondents who said they would definitely consider one of these vehicles are serious, there will still be more than enough demand to sell out the estimated 2010 and 2011 production runs of the major and new vehicles manufacturers," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Lithium Drive: Hybrid Electric Cars Likely To Attract 50 Million Potential Buyers TNR.v, CZX.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, CLQ.v, LMR.v, HAO.v, ABN.v, LIT.v,

C.S. Surprise, surprise: 50 million - this number will make Electric cars the Next Big Thing with explosive growth rate. Nobody knows for sure, but it is our big IF - What if people decide that it is Cool to Drive an Electric Car? Please note the place of Asia in this estimation: it is demographic situation multiplied by disruption technology to address the Peak Oil scenario. We have a downside risk as usual: Deflation can still grip its power, but with scared G20 leaders RBS is calling now for QE and run of printing press at unprecedented level sighting "the best paper ever written on Depression" by Mr Bernanke. RBS was spot on the money before the crises (it did not help them anyway) and now we have them backing our case. After all the years betting "against the FED" we are putting our bets on the FED and its final resource. Situation is so bad in the Western banking system and with sovereign debt, that there is no other way than to Inflate our way out of the debt and keep all Insolvent system running preventing collapse. In case that we will not end our lives living in caves we will need to cope with much higher Oil prices and it is even more explosive than Bull market in Gold from 2002: we are talking not about wealth preservation, but about food on the table in five years time. With Oil solidly above 80 USD per barrel our Lithium squad will start its second leg up. European debt scare will pass with new amount of Liquidity pumped into the system: pockets of growth will benefit exponentially with flood of money fighting for the yield. Tesla's IPO brings big players into the sector and news wires into action and ignites Electric Fever. Lithium Rush will be next to follow.

Survey: Hybrid Electric Cars Likely To Attract 50 Million Potential Buyers

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- The plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are likely to attract about 50 million drivers globally, said a survey by Ernst & Young's Global Automotive Centre.

In a statement here Friday, Ernst & Young said over 25 per cent of the drivers surveyed across the US, Europe, China and Japan said they would likely consider buying PHEVs as soon as they were available on the market.

The survey said nearly seven per cent of the respondents indicated they would definitely consider buying a PHEV, it said.

"Applying each market's percentage of those who said they would definitely buy to the number of registered drivers in each region results in a potential early adopter group of approximately 50 million drivers globally, over half of which are in China," it said.

Ernst & Young Global Automotive Leader, Mike Hanley, said the survey showed that PHEVs and electric vehicles had the opportunity to make a significant entrance into the global automotive market over the next few years.

"Even if only a small portion of the survey respondents who said they would definitely consider one of these vehicles are serious, there will still be more than enough demand to sell out the estimated 2010 and 2011 production runs of the major and new vehicles manufacturers," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Electric Fever: Tesla prices IPO above range at $17 a share TNR.v, CZX.v, LMR.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, SQM, FMC, ROC, F, NSANY, BYDDY, HEV, AONE, FCX, GM

Tesla was able to price its IPO at the high band and is raising now more than double the amount announced before - it is a very good appetite for the first public Electric Car play. Will be interesting to see trading today in these kind of markets. Will Lithium plays be able to define the gravity as well in their trading now? Word about electric Mobility is out and Tesla will be the best PR campaign now.

MarketWatch:

Tesla prices IPO above range at $17 a share

By V. Phani Kumar, MarketWatch

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Silicon Valley-based electric-vehicle maker Tesla Motors Inc. said Tuesday it had priced its much-awaited initial public offering at $17 a share, above the planned $14-$16 range.

Earlier in the day, the electric car maker had increased the number of shares for the IPO by 20% to 13.3 million shares, of which insider holdings will constitute 1.4 million shares.

MarketWatch

Tesla logo outside a showroom in Chicago.

Tesla said that those selling shareholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1.995 million common shares to cover for any over-allotments.

The price implies an issue size of $260 million, including the possible sale of any additional shares to cover the over-allotment.

The shares are slated to begin trade Tuesday under the ticker TSLA.

Tesla, whose top-end Roadster model sells for more than $100,000, was founded in 2003 by Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk and Chief Technical Officer J.B. Straubel. It has yet to turn a profit.

Nonetheless, the stock is likely to attract a cult following, said Scott Sweet, senior managing partner of IPO Boutique. Read full story on Telsa IPO."

Electric Fever: Tesla prices IPO above range at $17 a share TNR.v, CZX.v, LMR.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, SQM, FMC, ROC, F, NSANY, BYDDY, HEV, AONE, FCX, GM

Tesla was able to price its IPO at the high band and is raising now more than double the amount announced before - it is a very good appetite for the first public Electric Car play. Will be interesting to see trading today in these kind of markets. Will Lithium plays be able to define the gravity as well in their trading now? Word about electric Mobility is out and Tesla will be the best PR campaign now.

MarketWatch:

Tesla prices IPO above range at $17 a share

By V. Phani Kumar, MarketWatch

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Silicon Valley-based electric-vehicle maker Tesla Motors Inc. said Tuesday it had priced its much-awaited initial public offering at $17 a share, above the planned $14-$16 range.

Earlier in the day, the electric car maker had increased the number of shares for the IPO by 20% to 13.3 million shares, of which insider holdings will constitute 1.4 million shares.

MarketWatch

Tesla logo outside a showroom in Chicago.

Tesla said that those selling shareholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1.995 million common shares to cover for any over-allotments.

The price implies an issue size of $260 million, including the possible sale of any additional shares to cover the over-allotment.

The shares are slated to begin trade Tuesday under the ticker TSLA.

Tesla, whose top-end Roadster model sells for more than $100,000, was founded in 2003 by Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk and Chief Technical Officer J.B. Straubel. It has yet to turn a profit.

Nonetheless, the stock is likely to attract a cult following, said Scott Sweet, senior managing partner of IPO Boutique. Read full story on Telsa IPO."

End of Oil? Hardly, but Lithium market could bloom as tide goes out on oil TNR.v, CZX.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, CLQ.v, RES.v, QUC.v, AVL.to, FCX, GDX, SLW

Tesla's IPO, hopefully, will bring awareness about existing technology to address Peak Oil situation when we still have some time left. Next step will be to connect the dots and waken up to the security of strategic supply of Lithium and REE as a basis for new energy storage solutions and smart grid distribution systems based on V2Grid. We still need oil for air travel, plastics and another industrial application, transportation could be taken today out of Peak Oil situation and we can prolong Oil supply before other solutions will be found.

AFP:

Lithium market could bloom as tide goes out on oil

By Adrian Addison (AFP)

HONG KONG — Lithium is not much to look at. It's a soft and light, silver-white metal known for its use in mood stabilising drugs.

But the 25th most abundant element on earth could, one day, help cure the world of its addiction to oil -- as a key ingredient in batteries.

US geologists last week released the results of a survey showing around a trillion dollars worth of minerals in Afghanistan, which could make the war-ravaged state "the Saudi Arabia of lithium", according to a Pentagon memo.

But mining and technology firms have long been looking at lithium through eyes lit with dollar signs.

Lithium-based batteries are used in everything from mobile phones and laptops, to iPods and iPads, as well as military and medical hardware. They have even made their way into the human body, powering pacemakers.

But the main reason companies are betting on lithium is the projected explosion in the number of electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

Nissan, Honda and Toyota are among car-makers now gambling that electric vehicles, with their zero tailpipe emissions, will catch on and start to drive traditional gas-guzzlers off the road.

All will need batteries. Lots of batteries.

Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, and potentially new batteries such as lithium-air, are seen as the best option by many manufacturers over other battery types as they are lightweight and efficient, and can hold more power.

Subbu Bettadapura, Malaysia-based associate director of energy research company Frost and Sullivan, says the battery market is set to grow massively.

The lithium-ion battery market for electric and hybrid vehicles is, he says, conservatively-estimated to be set to grow from 2,400 units in 2008 to 1.53 million units by 2015.

"The tide is definitely going out on oil, in the long run," he told AFP. "The world's dependence on oil will decline and will be replaced by other fuels, such as lithium-ion batteries."

The US, the world's second biggest polluter after China, clearly agrees.

President Barack Obama has said he wants a million hybrid electric cars on America's roads by 2015.

And, at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new lithium-ion battery plant on Monday, Vice President Joe Biden said such factories could reduce US dependence on foreign oil and prevent disasters like the Deepwater Horizon oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.

"This is the beginning of a revolution in the production of energy in the country," said Biden at the ceremony for Dow Kokam?s plant in Midland, Michigan, which will make batteries for 60,000 electric vehicles a year.

Japanese, Chinese and South Korean manufacturers dominate the lithium-ion battery market, and Asia-Pacific lithium mining projects are coming thick and fast.

Australian mining firm Orocobre signed a deal in January with the raw materials arm of motor giant Toyota for a lithium project in Argentina.

This month, a South Korean consortium launched a lithium exploration joint-project with a Canadian mining firm, also in Argentina. There are several other deals either signed or in the pipeline.

The world's largest lithium reserves lie in Bolivia at the Salar de Uyuni - in the remote southern Andean plane. But Bolivia's left wing government is not seen as a country friendly to foreign industry, so investment has tended to flow elsewhere -- to its South American neighbours.

Galaxy Resources, an Australian mining and chemicals company, will soon commission the world's second largest spodumene -- a source of raw lithium -- mine in Western Australia, to be processed at its plant in China.

Oil may have had its day, says Anand Seth, Galaxy's marketing chief, but it will be around for a long time yet.

"Is it the end of oil? I wish!," he told AFP. "But it is not so simple and probably not in our lifetime.

"The lithium batteries for electric vehicles are very much in the nascent stage and the infrastructure to charge these batteries needs to be developed and installed.

"The next five years will be critical in establishing such infrastructure for recharging the batteries and the technology and standardisation of batteries is also very important."

End of Oil? Hardly, but Lithium market could bloom as tide goes out on oil TNR.v, CZX.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, CLQ.v, RES.v, QUC.v, AVL.to, FCX, GDX, SLW

Tesla's IPO, hopefully, will bring awareness about existing technology to address Peak Oil situation when we still have some time left. Next step will be to connect the dots and waken up to the security of strategic supply of Lithium and REE as a basis for new energy storage solutions and smart grid distribution systems based on V2Grid. We still need oil for air travel, plastics and another industrial application, transportation could be taken today out of Peak Oil situation and we can prolong Oil supply before other solutions will be found.

AFP:

Lithium market could bloom as tide goes out on oil

By Adrian Addison (AFP)

HONG KONG — Lithium is not much to look at. It's a soft and light, silver-white metal known for its use in mood stabilising drugs.

But the 25th most abundant element on earth could, one day, help cure the world of its addiction to oil -- as a key ingredient in batteries.

US geologists last week released the results of a survey showing around a trillion dollars worth of minerals in Afghanistan, which could make the war-ravaged state "the Saudi Arabia of lithium", according to a Pentagon memo.

But mining and technology firms have long been looking at lithium through eyes lit with dollar signs.

Lithium-based batteries are used in everything from mobile phones and laptops, to iPods and iPads, as well as military and medical hardware. They have even made their way into the human body, powering pacemakers.

But the main reason companies are betting on lithium is the projected explosion in the number of electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

Nissan, Honda and Toyota are among car-makers now gambling that electric vehicles, with their zero tailpipe emissions, will catch on and start to drive traditional gas-guzzlers off the road.

All will need batteries. Lots of batteries.

Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, and potentially new batteries such as lithium-air, are seen as the best option by many manufacturers over other battery types as they are lightweight and efficient, and can hold more power.

Subbu Bettadapura, Malaysia-based associate director of energy research company Frost and Sullivan, says the battery market is set to grow massively.

The lithium-ion battery market for electric and hybrid vehicles is, he says, conservatively-estimated to be set to grow from 2,400 units in 2008 to 1.53 million units by 2015.

"The tide is definitely going out on oil, in the long run," he told AFP. "The world's dependence on oil will decline and will be replaced by other fuels, such as lithium-ion batteries."

The US, the world's second biggest polluter after China, clearly agrees.

President Barack Obama has said he wants a million hybrid electric cars on America's roads by 2015.

And, at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new lithium-ion battery plant on Monday, Vice President Joe Biden said such factories could reduce US dependence on foreign oil and prevent disasters like the Deepwater Horizon oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.

"This is the beginning of a revolution in the production of energy in the country," said Biden at the ceremony for Dow Kokam?s plant in Midland, Michigan, which will make batteries for 60,000 electric vehicles a year.

Japanese, Chinese and South Korean manufacturers dominate the lithium-ion battery market, and Asia-Pacific lithium mining projects are coming thick and fast.

Australian mining firm Orocobre signed a deal in January with the raw materials arm of motor giant Toyota for a lithium project in Argentina.

This month, a South Korean consortium launched a lithium exploration joint-project with a Canadian mining firm, also in Argentina. There are several other deals either signed or in the pipeline.

The world's largest lithium reserves lie in Bolivia at the Salar de Uyuni - in the remote southern Andean plane. But Bolivia's left wing government is not seen as a country friendly to foreign industry, so investment has tended to flow elsewhere -- to its South American neighbours.

Galaxy Resources, an Australian mining and chemicals company, will soon commission the world's second largest spodumene -- a source of raw lithium -- mine in Western Australia, to be processed at its plant in China.

Oil may have had its day, says Anand Seth, Galaxy's marketing chief, but it will be around for a long time yet.

"Is it the end of oil? I wish!," he told AFP. "But it is not so simple and probably not in our lifetime.

"The lithium batteries for electric vehicles are very much in the nascent stage and the infrastructure to charge these batteries needs to be developed and installed.

"The next five years will be critical in establishing such infrastructure for recharging the batteries and the technology and standardisation of batteries is also very important."

With IPO, Tesla bets on electric car's future TNR.v, CZX.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, CLQ.v, SQM, FMC, ROC, HAO.v, ABN.v, AVL.to, RES.v, QUC.v, LIT.v, NSANY,

Tesla's IPO will make news, when will it make money is another question. Future of Tesla depends on Model S which could become a breakthrough not only for the company, but for EV market as a whole. There were a lot delays in Tesla S launch and it is still years from the market, but IPO and Toyota stake in Tesla will make this progress moving much faster. Acceptance of this IPO will give us a very important indication about the market perception of this next big thing. Our place in Lithium market will depend on mass market for EVs and Tesla S is one of the important development for its launch. Who will make money in Electric Car space is still a very open question: for cars and batteries you need volume, right technology and the strong consumer market. Nissan Leaf and GM Volt have the best position now to capitalise on first entry basis, but share of revenues for Electric Cars in Nissan's and GM's financial statements will stay relatively low in order to bring any excitement of Dot.com bull. Battery makers and Lithium developers are providing the opportunity to capitalise on focused EV market launch plays now and you have to decide which risk you can tolerate more: technological or the one of mining exploration cycle. Even in the stagflation and low growth environment we will pockets of growth and Electric Cars with its disruptive technology to address Peak Oil situation is very well positioned for the next decade.

Tesla IPO Roadshow from SAI:

Tesla is a technology company, NOT a car company

"Tesla is a Silicon Valley company focused on technology and disruption. "Think closer to an Apple, or Google, than a GM or Ford," says Elon. Tesla is a "technology velociraptor."

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/teslas-ipo-roadshow-2010-6#tesla-is-a-technology-company-not-a-car-company-1#ixzz0sA9JBVJG

With IPO, Tesla bets on electric car's future

• DAN STRUMPF

"NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) - Tesla Motors Inc. begins selling stock to the public on Tuesday. The sale's success depends on how much investors are willing to bet on a car company that has never made a profit, sells a single vehicle and expects to lose money until at least 2012.

As for the car, it's electric - a kind of vehicle Americans have shown almost no appetite for - and it's very pricey.

But the Palo Alto, Calif., startup believes Americans' taste in cars is changing. Most analysts agree with Tesla that the internal combustion engine will soon make room for greener forms of powering cars, such as electricity, as gas prices rise and environmental worries mount.

But Tesla faces bigger questions than just consumer taste. It has lost $290.2 million since it was founded in 2003 and has never had a profitable quarter. It doesn't expect the red ink to go away until it starts selling its next vehicle, a four-door electric sedan called the Model S, in large numbers. That isn't scheduled "until 2012, or possibly later," according to its business plan filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The only car that Tesla now offers isn't exactly a hot seller. Priced at more than $100,000, the two-door Roadster showed the world what electric cars can do, like accelerate to 60 mph in under 4 seconds. But Tesla has sold just 1,000 since 2008.

"They're going to have to have a dazzling road show explaining their numbers, which are not good," said Scott Sweet, who owns the research firm IPO Boutique.

Tesla will be the first automaker to go public since Ford Motor Co. held its initial public offering in 1956. It expects the stock sale to raise up to $185 million, which will fund the Model S and other corporate activities. The sale includes 11.1 million shares priced between $14 and $16.

Tesla's goal is to build 20,000 Model S sedans a year, which are expected to cost about $50,000 after federal tax credits. Tesla's production target puts it on par with other sporty luxury car brands, like Porsche, which sold about 20,000 cars in the U.S. last year.

Whether Americans will take to electric cars is another question.

One of the biggest obstacles to the wider adoption of electric vehicles has been their limited range compared with gas-fueled rivals. Supporters can argue that most people drive fewer than 40 miles a day, well within the range of the 300-mile-per-charge Model S. But Americans love their road trips and dread the thought of an electric car running out of juice mid-journey.

"There are very few places you can plug in your electric vehicle where you park, during your day, at the office," said Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief of Motor Trend magazine.

Even if Americans embrace electric cars, by the time the Model S arrives it will likely have stiff competition. Nissan Motor Co. is already taking orders on its electric car, the Leaf, which gets 100 miles per charge and is priced at about $25,000 after tax credits. The Chevrolet Volt, an electric car with a gasoline range-extender, goes on sale by the end of this year with a $35,000 price tag.

Tesla itself warned investors that it could lose any competitive edge if it fails to keep up with the latest advances in electric car technology.

But Tesla has its strengths, including some high-profile backers. Chief among them is CEO Elon Musk, the 38-year-old entrepreneur who was an inspiration for the playboy business mogul of the Iron Man films, Tony Stark. Musk's resume includes founding PayPal and running the rocket manufacturer Space Exploration Technologies.

"He's been successful at attracting capital, not just at this company, but other ventures," said Matt Therian, analyst with the IPO research firm Renaissance Capital in Greenwich, Conn.

Another key supporter is the U.S. government, which has kicked in a $465 million loan through an Energy Department program designed to encourage electric car technologies.

Other backers include Toyota, which last month agreed to sell Tesla a plant in Fremont, Calif., and invest $50 million in the electric car maker. Tesla plans to use the plant to build the Model S.

Toyota and others are "in essence, endorsing the concept, the product and management," said Sweet of IPO Boutique.

With everything riding on a little-tested technology, there's an echo of dot com-era bravado in Tesla's IPO.

Investors will decide for themselves whether Iron Man will be enough to lift Tesla off the ground."