Tesla Roadster
Tesla
Photo: TaurusEmerald / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tesla Roadster: The Original Electric Sports Car
The Roadster was Tesla's first car, the electric sports car that proved EVs could be fast and desirable, with a next-generation model long promised.
The original Tesla Roadster, produced from 2008 to 2012, was the car that launched the company. Based loosely on the Lotus Elise, it used a lithium-ion battery pack to deliver genuine sports car performance and a then-remarkable range of over 200 miles per charge, shattering perceptions of electric cars as slow and limited.
By proving that an EV could be quick, stylish, and usable, the Roadster gave Tesla the credibility and capital to develop the Model S and beyond. Only a few thousand were built, making the original a significant collector piece in automotive history.
Tesla has long teased a next-generation Roadster, promising staggering performance figures including sub-two-second acceleration. Whether or not the new car arrives as promised, the original Roadster's place as the spark of the modern EV era is secure.
Frequently asked questions about Tesla Roadster
Was the Roadster Tesla's first car?
Yes, the Roadster, produced from 2008 to 2012, was Tesla's first car and launched the company.
What was the Roadster based on?
The original Roadster was based loosely on the Lotus Elise sports car.
What range did the original Roadster have?
The original Roadster offered a then-remarkable range of over 200 miles per charge.
Is there a new Tesla Roadster?
Tesla has long teased a next-generation Roadster with promised sub-two-second acceleration.
Why is the original Roadster significant?
It proved EVs could be fast and desirable, giving Tesla the credibility to build the Model S and beyond.