There are people who praise the battery- powered 2009 Tesla Roadster for its environmental attributes, but the Tesla is a roadster’s roadster.

Tesla Motors

NEW YORK (AP) — Tesla’s CEO says that the material cost of the electric car company’s Roadster has fallen to about $80,000.

That’s down from a previous material cost of $140,000. The car currently has a starting sticker price of about $101,500.

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk made the comments in a blog post.

He says the drop in costs is a result of cheaper battery packs and supply chain improvements.

In addition, Musk says the San Carlos, Calif.-based company expects to become profitable this month, thanks to the lower costs and steady third-quarter production.