Tesla: Top Gear libel suit defends the honor of electric vehicles

Tesla's libel suit against Top Gear for the show's 2008 review of Roadster is apparently about more than just some erroneous statements made regarding Tesla's electric Roadster. Myra Pasek, a London-based spokeswoman for the automaker, claims that Tesla is suing to defend the honor of electric vehicle technology. Pasek told Automotive News (sub. req.) that:

We're very concerned that electric vehicles are being judged not on their merits but on preconceived conclusions. This amounts to a misinformation campaign about whether electric cars work.

As you might recall, Top Gear's review of the Roadster concluded by claiming that, "In the real world, it doesn't seem to work" (watch it here). Pasek counters TG's assessment with this statement:

Tesla is the groundbreaker in the technology. Daimler and Toyota are looking to us. If our car doesn't work, nobody's does.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]