Tesla electric cars up for rent in Shanghai

Just two weeks after making its debut in China, the new Tesla Model S electric car is available to rent in Shanghai.

Two top-end models, which have a local sale price of more than 1 million yuan (US$160,500), can be hired at eHi Auto Services Co, which opened the country's first electric car rental outlet in the city last year.

One of the two cars has already been reserved, but the other is still available, the company said, adding that it intends to increase its Tesla fleet later this month.

It refused to say how much the cars cost to rent, though it is likely to be about 1,000 yuan per day. In contrast, the Roewe E50 electric car made by SAIC Motor costs just 149 yuan per day.

While the Tesla's battery system allows it to run for up to 500 kilometers on a single charge, the lack of charging facilities in China could hurt sales.