by Benson Agoha | Technology

BMW, VW, Audi, Daimler Take on Tesla in Race For Luxury Models Of Electric Cars

* The Mission E by Porsche. (Credit: via IBT)

With the release of Tesla's electric cars saloons last week, the company will not have long to dance on the road alone, as auto-makers rise to its challenge.

But it is not just Tesla's new i-cars which currently cost $35,000 (£23,000) that is forcing the reaction of rival manufacturers. Nor the new high-end models, due for release in a few months time, which Tesla says its price tag range from $70,000 (£45,360 )to $140,00 (£ 90,720).

The recent Consumer Reports rating which described Teslas' Model P85D as the "best ever" car they have tested in the past 80 years of testing vehicles is yet another reason for the reaction form auto-makers. In their report Consumer Report said Tesla's P85D Model is brutally quick, with instant acceleration.

German auto maker, BMW has been testing it's electric brands for the past few years - and this has been going on in different cities. There has been testing of it's i3 models, based on its mega-city vehicle concept, the electric car is aimed at buyers in the world's biggest and most congested urban centres and it was not surprising that we saw it being tested in Isle of Dogs roads.

If Tesla's Model S is hot-cake, BMW's i5 is designed to beat it, while it's model i8 which is a hybrid Sport based on its Vision Efficient Dynamics concept that BMW says will be a performance sports car with "small car fuel efficiency."

Other companies rising to the challenge of Tesla are Audi, owned by Volks Wagen of Germany which is eager to produce a luxury brand that will rival Tesla. "Audi model is expected to have a range of around 300 miles, wrote Industry Week, adding "Audi clearly wants to show that they're not going to let Tesla trample all over them."

Porsche, another member of VW family is also due to release its vintage model "The Mission E" which, it says, can reach a speed of 330 miles between charges and recharge to 80% in just 15 minutes.