Tesla Motors delivers the first of its much-anticipated 2012 Model S luxury sports sedans Friday, which is good news for well-heeled buyers. Better news, perhaps, for

The EPA efficiency rating for the car comes in at 89-miles-per-gallon equivalent, which refers to the distance the car can travel on the equivalent of a gallon of gasoline. On the efficiency front, that has the Tesla lagging behind Mitsubishi's "I" as well as the Ford Focus and Nissan Leaf, according to Voelcker.

The Tesla website notes the basic Model S comes with 40, 60, and 85 kWh battery options and a starting price range of $49,900 to $69,900 after federal tax credits.

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