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| {{Infobox electric vehicle
| | The author's name is Christy. Ohio is where her home is. Invoicing is my occupation. To perform lacross is 1 of the issues she enjoys most.<br><br>My web page: psychic readers ([http://isaworld.pe.kr/?document_srl=392088 visit this web page link]) |
| | image = Roadster 2.5 windmills trimmed.jpg
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| | caption = Tesla Roadster Sport 2.5
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| | manufacturer = [[Tesla Motors]]
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| | base price = US$109,000
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| | production = 2008–2012
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| | motor = ''1.5, 2.0'' : {{convert|248|hp|abbr=on}}, 200·lb·ft/s (270 N·m), 3-phase [[dipole|4-pole]];<br>''2.5 Non-Sport'' : {{convert|288|hp|abbr=on}}, 273·lb·ft (370 N·m), 3-phase [[dipole|4-pole]];<br>''2.5 Sport'' : {{convert|288|hp|abbr=on}}, 295·lb·ft (400 N·m), 3-phase [[dipole|4-pole]]<br>[[AC motor#Three-phase AC induction motors|AC induction motor]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/performance/perf_specs.php |title=Performance Specs|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071024192721/http://www.teslamotors.com/performance/perf_specs.php |archivedate=October 24, 2007 |accessdate=July 20, 2010 |publisher=Tesla Motors}}</ref>
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| | assembly = [[Hethel]], [[Norfolk]], England<br>[[Menlo Park, California|Menlo Park]], [[California]], USA
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| | class = [[Roadster (automobile)|Roadster]]
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| | related = [[Lotus Elise]]
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| | body_style = 2-door [[Roadster (automobile)|Roadster]]
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| | length = {{convert|3946|mm|in|abbr=on}}
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| | width = {{convert|1873|mm|in|abbr=on}}
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| | height = {{convert|1127|mm|in|abbr=on}}
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| | weight = {{convert|2723|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
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| | designer = Tesla Motors
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| | transmission = Single speed [[BorgWarner]] fixed gear (8.27:1 ratio)
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| | battery = 53 [[kWh]] ([[Lithium-ion battery]] at the pack level: 117 Wh/kg and 37 Wh/L)
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| | electric_range = {{convert|244|mi|abbr=on}} using [[United States Environmental Protection Agency#Fuel economy testing and results|EPA combined cycle]]
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| | charging = proprietary inlet, 16.8 kW (70 A 240 V) with HPWC outlet<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/roadster/charging/high-power-wall-connector|title=High Power Wall Connector|publisher=Telsa Motors|accessdate=2013-08-16}}</ref> and with the SAE J1772-2009 adapter,<ref name=Tesla-J1772/> adapters for domestic AC sockets
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| | wheelbase = {{convert|2352|mm|in|abbr=on}}
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| | front_track = {{convert|1464|mm|in|abbr=on}}
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| | rear_track = {{convert|1499|mm|in|abbr=on}}
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| | top_speed = {{convert|125|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, electronically limited
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| | layout = [[RMR layout|Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive]]
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| | parent_company = Tesla Motors
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| | chassis assembly = Lotus factory in [[Hethel]], England
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| | final assembly = Menlo Park, Calif., USA
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| | aka = [[Code name]]: DarkStar<ref name="Tesla Motors 47">{{cite web |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/vintage-oil-and-other-hare-brained-ideas |title=Vintage Oil and Other Hare-Brained Ideas |publisher=[[Tesla Motors]] |author=Martin Eberhard, Tesla Motors CEO |authorlink=Martin Eberhard |date=2007-01-24 |accessdate=2011-08-21 }}</ref>
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| The '''Tesla Roadster''' is a [[battery electric vehicle]] (BEV) [[sports car]] produced by the [[electric car]] firm [[Tesla Motors]] in [[California]] between 2008 and 2012. The Roadster was the first highway-capable all-electric vehicle in [[Mass production|serial production]] for sale in the United States in recent times.
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| Since 2008 Tesla had sold more than 2,400 Roadsters in 31 countries through September 2012,<ref name=SalesJune2012/><ref name=Tesla3Q2012>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2012/11/tesla-20121105.html|title=Tesla Q3 report: $50M revenues, $111M GAAP net loss, 253 Model S delivered in Q3|author=Tesla Motors|publisher=[[Green Car Congress]]|date=2012-11-05|accessdate=2012-11-06}} ''Sales during the 3Q 2012: 68 Roadsters and 253 Model S.''</ref> and most of the remaining Tesla Roadsters were sold in Europe and Asia during the fourth quarter of 2012.<ref name=Tesla4Q2012/> Tesla began producing right-hand-drive Roadsters in early 2010.<ref name=righthand>{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2009-06/25/tesla-will-build-right-hand-drive-roadsters-for-the-uk.aspx |title=Tesla will build right-hand-drive Roadsters for the UK |publisher=Wired.co.uk |date=2009-06-25 |accessdate=2009-06-25}}</ref>
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| The Roadster had a 2010 base price of {{USD|109,000}} in the United States, {{GBP|86,950}} in the United Kingdom, {{AUD|191,888}} in Australia, and {{euro|84,000}} in continental Europe.<ref name="RoadsterPrice">[http://www.teslamotors.com/buy/buyshowroom.php Tesla Showroom] ''Tesla'', 2010. Retrieved: 15 April 2010.</ref> As an electric vehicle, the Roadster qualified for several [[Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles|government incentives]] in many nations.<ref name=GCC0420>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/04/acea-tax-20100421.html#more|title=Growing Number of EU Countries Levying CO2 Taxes on Cars and Incentivizing Plug-ins|publisher=[[Green Car Congress]]|date=2010-04-21|accessdate=2010-05-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/25/green-sports-cars-subsidise-taxpayers|title=Electric vehicle grants scheme backfires as taxpayers subsidise £87,000 sports cars|publisher=The Guardian|author=Adam Vaughan|date=2010-02-25|accessdate=2010-05-21| location=London}}</ref>
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| The Roadster was the first production automobile to use [[lithium-ion battery]] cells and the first production BEV (all-electric) to travel more than {{convert|200|mi}} per charge.<ref>{{cite web|date=2009-07-09 |url=http://www.greencarmagazine.net/2009/07/tesla-motors-moving-quickly-to-commercialization-of-an-electric-car/ |title=Tesla Motors Moving Quickly to Commercialization of an Electric Car |publisher=GreenCar Magazine |accessdate=2009-08-01}}</ref> The world distance record of {{convert|501|km|abbr=on}} for a production electric car on a single charge was set by a Roadster on October 27, 2009, during the Global Green Challenge in outback Australia, in which it averaged a speed of 25 mph (40 km/h).<ref>{{cite web|author=Posted by tsport100 |url=http://electric-vehicles-cars-bikes.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-world-record-tesla-roadster-goes.html |title=New World Record: Tesla Roadster Goes 347.2 Miles On One Charge | Electric Vehicle News |publisher=Electric-vehicles-cars-bikes.blogspot.com |date=2011-01-05 |accessdate=2011-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalgreenchallenge.com.au/assets/media/event/TESLA%20WORLD%20RECORD%20IN%20GLOBAL%20GREEN%20CHALLENGE.doc |title=Internode Electric Tesla sets world distance record in 2009 Global Green Challenge |publisher=Global Green Challenge |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> In March 2010, a Tesla Roadster became the first electric vehicle to win the Monte Carlo Alternative Energy Rally and the first to win any Federation Internationale de l'Automobile-sanctioned championship when a Roadster driven by former Formula One driver [[Érik Comas]] beat 96 competitors for range, efficiency and performance in the three-day, nearly {{convert|1,000|km|mi|adj=on|sp=us}} challenge.<ref>{{cite web|author=Monday, March 29, 2010 |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/about/press/releases/tesla-sweeps-monte-carlo-alternative-energy-rally |title=Tesla Sweeps Monte Carlo Alternative Energy Rally | Press Releases |publisher=Tesla Motors |date=2010-03-29 |accessdate=2010-10-09}}</ref>
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| According to the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|U.S. EPA]], the Roadster can travel {{convert|244|mi}} on a single charge<ref name="Tesla 2008-09-09" /> of its lithium-ion battery pack, and can accelerate from {{convert|0|to|60|mph|abbr=on}} in 3.7 or 3.9 seconds depending on the model. The Roadster's efficiency, {{as of|2008|9|lc=on}}, was reported as 120 [[miles per gallon gasoline equivalent|mpg<sub>ge</sub>]] (2.0 L/100 km). It uses 135 [[Watt-hour|Wh]]/km (21.7 kW·h/100 mi, 13.5 kW·h/100 km or 490 kJ/km) battery-to-wheel, and has an efficiency of 88% on average.<ref name="motor technology">{{cite web |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/roadster/technology/motor |title=Roadster Innovations: Motor |publisher=Tesla Motors |accessdate=2011-02-25 |quote=The Roadster achieves an overall driving efficiency of 88%, about three times the efficiency of a conventional car.}}</ref>
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| == History ==
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| The car was officially revealed to the public on July 19, 2006, in [[Santa Monica, California]], at a 350-person invitation-only event held in Barker Hangar at [[Santa Monica Airport]].<ref name="Tesla Press 42">{{cite press release | publisher=[[Tesla Motors]] | title=Tesla Motors Hosts World Debut of Tesla Roadster Offering Performance, Style & Efficiency – With a Conscience | url=http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=42 | date=2006-07-20 | accessdate=2007-04-24 }}</ref>
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| [[File:Roadster Goodwood.JPG|thumb|A Roadster running at the Goodwood circuit]]
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| The San Francisco International Auto Show, held on November 18–26, 2006, was the Tesla Roadster's first auto show. Tesla Roadsters have been featured in numerous subsequent auto shows, including international shows in Los Angeles, Detroit and Frankfurt.
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| The first Tesla Roadster was delivered in February 2008 to Tesla co-founder, chairman and product architect [[Elon Musk]]. The company produced 500 similar vehicles through June 2009. In July 2009, Tesla began production of its 2010 model-year Roadster—the first major product upgrade since Tesla began production in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.teslamotors.com/display_data.php?data_name=WardsAutoArticle |title=Drive Tesla Roadster; Forget What You Knew About Acceleration |author=Eric Mayne |date=2009-09-04 |format=PDF |publisher=[http://wardsauto.com WardsAuto.com] |accessdate=2010-06-21}}</ref> Simultaneously, Tesla began producing the Roadster Sport, the first derivative of Tesla's proprietary, patented powertrain. The car accelerates from {{convert|0|to|60|mph|abbr=on}} in 3.7 seconds, compared to 3.9 seconds for the standard Roadster. Changes for the 2010 model-year cars include:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.automobilesreview.com/auto-news/tesla-roadster-2/16337/ |title=Tesla Roadster 2 |date=2009-07-22 |publisher=[http://www.automobilesreview.com/ Automobiles review] |accessdate=2010-06-21}}</ref>
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| * An upgraded interior and push-button gear selector, including "executive interior" of exposed carbon fiber and premium leather, and clear-coat carbon fiber body accents.
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| * Locking, push-button glove box wrapped in leather.
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| * A centrally mounted video display screen to monitor real-time data, including estimated range, power regenerated, and the number of barrels of oil saved. This convenient screen is visible to the driver and passenger.
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| * Adjustable, custom-tuned suspension. The shock absorbers' response and anti-sway bars are manually adjustable.
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| * More powerful and immediate heating, ventilation and air-conditioning.
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| * More efficient motor and hand-wound stator. The new motor generates more kilowatts per amp—more mechanical power—than the predecessor.
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| * A suite of sound-deadening measures to dramatically reduce noise, vibration and harshness. For instance, engineers added pellets to a member of the chassis side rail. These pellets expand by 50 times original volume during the adhesive heating cycle to eliminate rattles.
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| All of these features, except for the motor were available either as standard or as add-on option for the non-sport model.
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| Beginning mid-March 2010, Tesla Motors, in an effort to show off the practicality of its electric cars, sent one of its Roadsters around the world. Starting at the Geneva auto show, the Roadster completed its journey upon its arrival in Paris on September 28, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20003938-48.html?tag=mncol |title=Globe-trotting Tesla Roadster Reaches Moscow |author=Wayne Cunningham |date=2010-04-30 |work=The Car Tech Blog |publisher=[[CNET.com]] |accessdate=2010-05-03}}</ref>
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| In July 2010, Tesla introduced the "Roadster 2.5", the latest update of the Roadster.<ref name=ReferenceA>{{cite web|author=Thursday, July 1, 2010|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/about/press/releases/tesla-unveils-roadster-25-newest-stores-europe-and-north-america |title=Tesla Unveils Roadster 2.5 at Newest Stores in Europe and North America | Press Releases |publisher=Tesla Motors |date=2010-07-01|accessdate=2010-10-09}}</ref> New features in Roadster 2.5 include:
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| * A new look, which includes a new front fascia with diffusing vents, and rear diffuser reflecting the future of Tesla design
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| * Directional forged wheels available in both silver and black
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| * New seats with improved comfort, larger more supportive bolsters and a new lumbar support system
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| * Power control hardware that enables spirited driving in exceptionally hot climates
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| * An optional 7" touchscreen display with back-up camera
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| * Improved interior sound reduction including new front fender liner material make the cabin quieter
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| The Roadster was the most expensive single prize ever offered to date on ''[[The Price Is Right (U.S. game show)|The Price Is Right]]'', in a playing of [[List of The Price Is Right pricing games|Golden Road]] on April 22, 2010, in celebration of Earth Day. It was not won—according to the show, its price was US$112,845.{{citation needed|date=May 2012}}
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| A Roadster was used{{when|date=September 2013}} as a promotional tool{{by whom|date=September 2013}} for [[sustainable energy]].<ref name="winddrive">[http://www.vinditanken.dk/ Wind in the tank] ''Wind Energy''. Retrieved: 24 September 2010.</ref>
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| Tesla produced the Roadster until January 2012, when its supply of [[Lotus Elise]] [[Glider (automobiles)|gliders]] ran out, as its contract with [[Lotus Cars]] for 2,500 gliders expired at the end of 2011.<ref name=SalesJune2012/><ref name=EndPro>{{cite web|url=http://www.mspnews.com/news/2012/02/27/6148529.htm|title=Tesla Motors Inc – 10-K -Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results of Operations |author=Tesla Motors|publisher=MSP News Channels|date=2012-02-27|accessdate=2012-08-28}}</ref><ref name=Sales0611>{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/08/tesla-boasts-about-electric-car-deliveries-plans-for-sedan/1|title=Tesla boasts about electric car deliveries, plans for sedan|author= Chris Woodyard|work=[[USA Today]]|date=2011-08-03|accessdate=2011-10-04}}</ref><ref name=NYT050611>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/08/automobiles/08TESLA.html?_r=1&emc=eta1|title=Tesla Prepares for a Gap as Roadster Winds Down|author=Josie Garthwaite|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=2011-05-06|accessdate=2011-05-07}}</ref> Tesla stopped taking orders for the Roadster in the U.S. market in August 2011.<ref>Dillow, Clay. (2011-06-23) [http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2011-06/farewell-roadster-tesla-will-stop-taking-orders-its-iconic-ev-two-months Farewell Roadster: Tesla Will Stop Taking Orders for its Iconic EV in Two Months | Popular Science]. Popsci.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-10.</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Valdes-Dapena|first=Peter|title=Tesla Roadster reaches the end of the line|url=http://autos.yahoo.com/news/tesla-roadster-reaches-the-end-of-the-line.html|publisher=Yahoo!}}</ref> The next generation is expected to be introduced by 2018 and will not be based on the Lotus gliders but instead on a shortened version of the architecture developed for the [[Tesla Model S]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://insideevs.com/tesla-vp-next-gen-tesla-roadster-to-push-ev-envelope-to-the-extreme-will-boast-more-range-and-be-quicker-than-original-roadster/|title=Tesla VP: Next-Gen Tesla Roadster to Push EV Envelope to the Extreme; Will Boast More Range and be Quicker Than Original Roadster|author= Eric Loveday|work=[[Inside EVs]]|date=2013-04-03|accessdate=2013-10-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/259752/|title=Tesla plans all-new Roadster|author=Mark Tisshaw|work=[[Autocar]]|date=2011-10-26|accessdate=2011-10-29}}</ref> Featuring new options and enhanced components, the 2012 Tesla Roadster is being sold in limited numbers only in Europe, Asia and Australia. Tesla's U.S. exemption for not having special two-stage passenger airbags expired for cars made after the end of 2011 so the last Roadsters could not be sold in the American market.<ref name=TRSalesDec11>{{cite web|url=http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/tesla-continues-roadster-sales-in-europe-asia-and-australia/#continued|title=Tesla continues Roadster sales with tweaks in Europe, Asia and Australia|author=Danny King|publisher=[[Autoblog Green]]|date=2012-01-11|accessdate=2012-01-13}}</ref><ref name=LastSales>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1071608_tesla-updates-roadster-for-2012-theres-just-one-catch|title=Tesla Updates Roadster For 2012. There’s Just One Catch...|author=Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield|publisher=Green Car Reports|date=2012-01-12|accessdate=2012-01-16}}</ref> Also a total of 15 Final Edition Roadsters were produced to close the manufacturing cycle of Tesla's first electric car.<ref name=SpecialEd/> {{As of|2012|06}} the Roadster remained on sale in Europe and Asia<ref name=SalesJune2012/><ref name=EndPro/> and {{asof|2012|12|lc=y}}, inventories were not yet depleted.<ref name=Tesla4Q2012/>{{update after|2013|9|27}}
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| == Development ==
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| {{see also|Tesla motors#History and financing}}
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| The Roadster was developed by Tesla Motors to mass-produce [[AC Propulsion tzero|AC Propulsion's tzero concept car]]. The production idea was conceived by [[Martin Eberhard]] and Marc Tarpenning who incorporated [[Tesla Motors]] in Delaware on July 1, 2003, to pursue the idea commercially.<ref name="Delaware Corporations File number 3677166">{{cite web |url=https://delecorp.delaware.gov/tin/GINameSearch.jsp |title=Division of Corporations – Online Services |date=2003-07-01 |accessdate=2009-10-12 |author=State of Delaware |quote=Tesla Motors incorporation is found under file number 3677166 }}</ref> South African-born entrepreneur [[Elon Musk]] took an active role within the company starting in 2004, including investing US$7.5 million, overseeing Roadster product design from the beginning, and greatly expanding Tesla's long-term strategic sales goals to include developing mainstream vehicles after the sports car.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gigaom.com/cleantech/elon-musk-envisions-tesla-electric-car-as-low-as-20k/ |title=Elon Musk Envisions Tesla Electric Car as Low as $20K: Cleantech News « |publisher=Gigaom.com |date=2008-09-17 |accessdate=2010-10-09}}</ref> Musk became Tesla's Chairman of the Board in April 2004 and had helped recruit JB Straubel as chief technology officer in March 2004.<ref name="TSLA S-1">{{cite web | url=http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1318605/000119312510017054/ds1.htm | title=Tesla Motors, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with SEC| date=2010-01-29 | accessdate=2010-10-22}}</ref> Musk received the [[Global Green]] 2006 product design award for the design of the Tesla Roadster, presented by [[Mikhail Gorbachev]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Tesla Motors team|publisher=Tesla Motors|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/media/company_team.php}}</ref> and he received the 2007 Index Design award for the design of the Tesla Roadster.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tesla Roadster|publisher=Index|year=2007|url=http://www.indexaward.dk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89&Itemid=71}}</ref>
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| {{Multiple image|direction=vertical|align=left|image1=Tesla Roadster electric car DSC 0160.jpg|image2=Tesla Roadster DSC 0165.jpg|width=220||caption2=Frontal and rear views of the 2008 Tesla Roadster}}
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| Before Tesla had developed the Roadster's proprietary powertrain, the company licensed [[AC Propulsion]]'s EV Power System design and Reductive Charging patent which covers integration of the charging electronics with the [[Inverter (electrical)#Electric vehicle drives|inverter]], thus reducing mass, complexity, and cost. [[Tesla Motors|Tesla]] then designed and built its own power electronics, motor, and other drivetrain components that incorporated this licensed technology from [[AC Propulsion]].<ref name="Reductive">{{cite web|url=http://www.acpropulsion.com/technology/reductivecharging.htm|publisher=[[AC Propulsion]]|accessdate=2007-03-07|title=Reductive Charging, AC Propulsion's Reductive Charger Integrated Charging for the Electric Vehicle |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070206121745/http://www.acpropulsion.com/technology/reductivecharging.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-02-06}}</ref><ref name="Interview with Musk, pt 2">{{cite web | url = http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/24/autobloggreen-qanda-tesla-motors-chairman-elon-musk-part-2-tran/ | title=AutoblogGreen Q&A: Tesla Motors Chairman Elon Musk Part 2 – Transmission shifts | date=2008-06-24 | accessdate= 2008-06-24 | author=[http://www.autobloggreen.com/bloggers/sam-abuelsamid Sam Abuelsamid] }}</ref><ref name="TeslaWtoW">{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/efficiency/well_to_wheel.php|title=Well-to-Wheel Energy Efficiency|last=Tarpenning|first=Marc|coauthors=Martin Eberhard|date=2007-08-24|publisher=[[Tesla Motors]]|accessdate=2011-02-25|quote=The AC Propulsion lithium-ion charging system (the basis for the design of the Tesla Roadster charging system)...|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071011010258/http://www.teslamotors.com/efficiency/well_to_wheel.php|archivedate=2007-10-11}}</ref> Given the extensive redevelopment of the vehicle, Tesla Motors no longer licenses any proprietary technology from AC Propulsion. The Roadster's powertrain is unique.<ref name="Soap Opera">{{cite web |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog2/?p=73 |title=Tesla Leadership |date=2009-06-22 |accessdate=2009-08-01 |author=[[Elon Musk]] |publisher=[[Tesla Motors]] |archiveurl=http://google.com/search?q=cache:Ss1C_qyafl4J:www.teslamotors.com/blog2/%3Fp+site:teslamotors.com+unfunded |archivedate=July 25, 2009<!-- 21:23:52 GMT -->|quote=Tesla Motors, Inc. consisted of Eberhard, Tarpenning and Wright, plus an unfunded business plan and they were looking for an initial round of funding to create a more advanced prototype than the AC Propulsion Tzero. While there was a basic corporation in place, Tesla hadn't even registered or obtained the trademark to its name and had no formal offices or assets. To save legal fees, we just copied the SpaceX articles of incorporation and bylaws for Tesla and I invested $6.35M (98%) of the initial closing of $6.5M in Series A funding. Eberhard invested $75k (approximately 1%).}}</ref>
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| On 11 July 2005, Tesla and British sports car maker Lotus entered an agreement about products and services based on the [[Lotus Elise]], where Lotus provided advice on designing and developing a vehicle as well as producing partly assembled vehicles,<ref name="lotustesla1">Dopson & Colson. [http://contracts.onecle.com/tesla-motors/lotus-supply-2005-07-11.shtml Supply agreement for products and services based on Lotus Elise technology] ''OneCLE'', 11 July 2005. Retrieved: 7 September 2010.</ref> and amended in 2009.<ref name="lotustesla2">Bennett & Donoughe. [http://contracts.onecle.com/tesla-motors/lotus-supply-2009-08-04.shtml Contract Amendment 1] ''OneCLE'', 4 August 2009. Retrieved: 7 September 2010.</ref> helped with basic chassis development. The Roadster has a parts overlap of roughly 6 percent with the [[Lotus Elise]]. Tesla's designers chose to construct the body panels using resin transfer molded [[carbon fiber reinforced plastic|carbon fiber composite]] to minimize weight; this choice makes the Roadster one of the least expensive cars with an entirely carbon fiber skin.{{cn|date=September 2013}}
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| Several prototypes of the Tesla Roadster were produced from 2004 through 2007. Initial studies were done in two "[[test mule]]" vehicles based on Lotus Elises equipped with all-electric drive systems. Ten Engineering Prototypes (EP1 through EP10) which led to many minor changes were then built and tested in late 2006 and early 2007. Tesla then produced at least 26 Validation Prototypes (VP1 through [http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/429-Validation-Prototypes-(VPs) VP26]) which were delivered beginning in March 2007. These final revisions were endurance and crash tested in preparation for series production.<ref name="Motor Press Guild Speech" />
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| In August 2007, Martin Eberhard was replaced by an interim CEO, Michael Marks.<ref name="Tesla Motors Blog 52">{{cite web | url = http://www.teslamotors.com/blog2/?p=52 | title = The Next Leg of the Race | date = 2007-08-15 }}</ref> Marks accepted the temporary position while a recruitment was undertaken. In December 2007, Ze'ev Drori became the CEO and President of Tesla Motors. In October 2008, Musk succeeded Ze'ev Drori as CEO. Drori became Vice Chairman and left the company in December. In January 2008, the U.S. [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]] (NHTSA) announced that it would grant a waiver of the ''advanced'' air bag rule<ref>[http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/rulings/index_airbag.html Notices and Final Rules: Air Bag Information]. Nhtsa.dot.gov. Retrieved on 2013-08-10.</ref> noting that the Tesla Roadster already includes standard [[air bag]]s; similar waivers have been granted to many other small volume manufacturers as well, including [[Lotus Cars|Lotus]], [[Ferrari]], and [[Bugatti]].<ref name="Federal Register Vol. 73 No. 18">{{ cite journal | author= [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration|NHTSA]] | url=http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-1359.pdf | title=Docket No. NHTSA-2008-0013. Tesla Motors, Inc.; Grant of Application for a Temporary Exemption From Advanced Air Bag Requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 | volume=73 | issue=18 | date=2008-01-28 | publisher = [[United States Government Printing Office|U.S. GPO]] | format=PDF }}</ref><ref name="Associated Press Air Bag">{{cite news | url=http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-01-28-3400362215_x.htm | title=Tesla Sports Car Gets Air Bag Waiver | author=Ken Thomas | date=2008-01-28 | accessdate=2008-12-30 | agency=Associated Press | work=USA Today }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog3/?p=73|title=Mythbusters Part 1: Airbags? We got 'em!|last=Siry|first=Daryl|date=2008-02-29|publisher=Tesla Motors|accessdate=2008-12-30}}</ref> Tesla delivered its first production car in February 2008 to Musk.
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| Tesla announced in early August 2009 that Roadster sales had resulted in overall corporate profitability for the month of July 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=1734 |title=Press Releases |publisher=Tesla Motors |date=2009-08-07 |accessdate=2009-09-14}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The company said it earned approximately {{USD|1 million}} on revenue of {{USD|20 million}}. Profitability arose primarily from improved gross margin on the 2010 Roadster, the second iteration of Tesla’s award-winning sports car. Tesla, which like all automakers records revenue when products are delivered, shipped a record 109 vehicles in July and reported a surge in new Roadster purchases.
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| Tesla, which signed a production contract with Group Lotus in 2007 to produce "gliders" (complete cars minus electric powertrain) for the Roadster, announced in early 2010 that Roadster production would continue until early 2012, in part due to tooling changes{{clarify|date=September 2013}} at Lotus' assembly plant in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rumors.automobilemag.com/6627580/green/tesla-extends-production-contract-with-lotus/index.html |title=Tesla Extends Production Contract with Lotus |publisher=Automobile Magazine |date=2010-03-30 |accessdate=2010-04-05}}</ref>
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| == Production ==
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| [[File:Roadster interior.jpg|thumb|Interior of Roadster 2.5 from July 2010]]
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| Tesla cumulative production of the Roadster reached 1,000 cars in January 2010.<ref name=Prod1000>{{cite press release |title=Tesla Celebrates 1,000th Roadster |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/about/press/releases/tesla-celebrates-1000th-roadster |publisher=[[Tesla Motors]] |date=2010-01-12 |accessdate=2010-09-13}}</ref> The Roadster is an American car with a [[Vehicle Identification Number]] common to all cars considered American manufactured, but it has parts from around the world. The body panels come from French supplier Sotira. These are sent from France to Hethel, U.K., where Tesla contracts with Lotus to build the Roadster's unique chassis.<ref name="Quiet Thunder">{{cite news | publisher=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] | url=http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/05/tesla200705?currentPage=1 | title=Quiet Thunder | author=Michael Shnayerson |date=May 2007 | accessdate=2007-04-24 }}</ref><ref name="Tesla Motors 50">{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog4/?p=50|title=Cut From a Different Cloth|date=2007-02-15|accessdate=2008-02-15|author=Barrie Dickinson, Tesla Motors Director of Body Engineering|publisher=Tesla Motors}}</ref> The Roadster shares roughly 6 percent of its components with the Lotus Elise; shared components include the windshield, air bags, some tires, some dashboard parts, and suspension components. The Roadster's single-speed gearbox is made in Detroit to Tesla's specifications by Auburn Hills, Michigan-based supplier [[BorgWarner]]. Brakes and airbags are made by [[Siemens]] in [[Germany]], and some crash testing was conducted at Siemens as well.<ref>{{ cite news | url = http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120761191252596525.html?mod=hps_us_whats_news | title=Detroit Sets Bold Goal: Exporting U.S. Cars | date=2008-04-08 | author=JOHN D. STOLL, NORIHIKO SHIROUZU and NEAL E. BOUDETTE | accessdate=2008-06-10 | publisher=Wall Street Journal | quote=Tesla Motors, a Northern California start-up developing an electric car, recently decided to scrap plans to build its US$20,000-plus batteries in Thailand. Instead, it will assemble the components in the U.S. because of currency values. }}</ref>
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| For Roadsters bound for customers in North America, the chassis is then sent to Menlo Park, California, for final assembly. For Roadsters bound for customers in Europe or elsewhere outside of North America, the chassis is sent to a facility near Hethel, U.K., for final assembly. At these final assembly locations, Tesla employees install the entire powertrain, which consists of the battery pack, power electronics module, gearbox and motor. Tesla also performs rigorous "pre-delivery inspection" on every car before customers take ownership.
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| Tesla ordered 2,500 [[glider (automobiles)|glider]]s from Lotus, which ended supplies in December 2011 when their contract expired.<ref name=Sales0611/><ref name=NYT050611/> Tesla ended production of the Roadster in January 2012.<ref name=EndPro/>
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| === Timeline ===
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| Subsequent to completion of production car number one at Hethel, the company announced problems with [[transmission (mechanics)|transmission]] reliability. The development transmission, with first gear enabled to accelerate {{convert|0|to|60|mph|abbr=on}} in 4 seconds, was reported to have a life expectancy of as low as only a few thousand miles. Tesla Motors' first two transmission suppliers were unable to produce transmissions, in quantity, that could withstand the gear-shift requirements of the high torque, high rpm electric motor. In December 2007, Tesla Motors announced plans to ship the initial Roadsters with the transmissions locked into second gear to provide {{convert|0|to|60|mph|abbr=on}} acceleration in 5.7 seconds. The first production car was not delivered with this interim solution; P1 has both transmission gears enabled. According to the plan, the initial transmissions were to be swapped out under warranty when the finalized transmission, power electronics module (PEM), and cooling system became available. The [[United States Environmental Protection Agency#Fuel economy testing and results|EPA range]] of the car was also restated downward from {{convert|245|to|221|mi|km}}. The downward revision was attributed to an error in equipment calibration at the laboratory that conducted the original test.<ref name="Tesla Motors 55">{{cite web | url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog2/?p=55 | title=A Letter to Customers from Ze'ev Drori | author=Ze'ev Drori, Tesla Motors President and CEO | date=2007-12-27 | accessdate=2007-12-31| publisher=[[Tesla Motors]]|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071230184757/http://www.teslamotors.com/blog2/?p=55 |archivedate = December 30, 2007}}</ref><ref name="Scoble QIK">{{cite web | url=http://qik.com/video/22264 | title=Ride in first production Tesla with Elon Musk | author=Robert Scoble | date=2008-02-19 | accessdate=2008-02-26 | quote=2:58 into video Elon Musk says "This particular car [P1] actually has two speeds" }}</ref><ref name="Telsa Motors Club Forum 4465-11">{{cite web | url=http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/4465-post11.html | date=2007-12-12 | accessdate=2008-02-12 | author=Daryl Siry, Tesla Motors Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Service | title=Re: My Town Hall Notes }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
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| * During the first two months of production, Tesla produced a total of three Roadsters (P3/VINF002, P4/VINF004, and P5/VINF005). Production car # 1 (P1) and P2 were built prior to the start of regular series production, which began March 17, 2008.<ref>[http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/tesla-production-slower-than-expected-908.html Tesla Production Slower Than Expected], Greentech Media, May 16, 2008</ref>
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| * By September 10, 2008, Tesla had delivered 27 of the cars to customers. It was also reported that a newer, better transmission had been developed and that production of the car was hoped to reach 20 per week by December 2008, and 40 per week by March 2009.<ref>[http://wot.motortrend.com/6294593/green/tesla-declares-transmission-problems-solved-finished-roadster-now-in-production/index.html Tesla declares transmission problems solved, finished Roadster now in production], Motor Trend, September 10, 2008</ref> Over the next 20 days, however, only 3 more cars had been delivered to customers which brought the total to 30 as of September 30, 2008.<ref>[http://media.www.themichiganjournal.com/media/storage/paper255/news/2008/09/30/GoingGreen/Tesla.Roadster.Takes.Green.Trend.For.Joy.Ride-3460575.shtml Tesla Roadster takes green trend for joy ride], The Michigan Journal, September 30, 2008</ref>
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| * By November 19, 2008, more than 70 of the cars had been delivered to customers.<ref>[http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/11/the-jersey-turn.html The Jersey Turnpike is No Match for the Roadster], Wired, November 19, 2008</ref>
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| * By December 9, 2008, the 100th car had been delivered to its customer.<ref>[http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_11183440 Tesla Motors hands keys to 100th Roadster owner], The Mercury News, December 10, 2008</ref>
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| * By February 11, 2009, 200 Roadsters had been produced.<ref name="pcmag.com">[http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2340898,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03069TX1K0001121 Tesla Motors Says Will Be Profitable in 2009], pcmag.com, February 11, 2009</ref>
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| * By April 2, 2009, 320 Roadsters had been delivered.<ref>[http://www.physorg.com/news157917126.html Orders streaming in for new Tesla electric sedans], Physorg.org, April 2, 2009</ref>
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| * In May 2009, Tesla issued a [[product recall|safety recall]] for all 345 of its Roadsters that were manufactured before April 22, 2009. Tesla sent technicians to customers' homes to tighten the rear, inner hub flange bolts. Tesla Motors told customers that without this adjustment, the driver could lose control of the car and crash. The problem originated at the Lotus assembly line that builds the Roadster and Lotus is also recalling some of its own vehicles. Tesla reminded customers that millions of cars are recalled every year.<ref name="Recall May 2009">{{cite press release | url=http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=1376 | title=Tesla To Do House Calls | date=2009-05-28 | accessdate=2009-10-02 | publisher=Tesla Motors }}</ref><ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-recalls-345-roadsters-2009-5 Tesla Recalls More Than 75% Of Its Roadsters], Business Insider, May 28, 2009</ref>
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| * By the end of May 2009, the 500th Roadster had been delivered.<ref>[http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=1380 Tesla Motors Delivers 500th Roadster], Tesla Press Room, June 3, 2009</ref>
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| * Tesla made its first profit ever in July 2009, when it shipped 109 vehicles, the most ever so far for a single month.<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/07/technology/tesla_profitability/?postversion=2009080716 Electric roadster maker making money], CNN, August 7, 2009</ref>
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| * By September 15, 2009, 700 Roadsters had been delivered.<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aJqdKspAEAkA Electric Sports-Car Maker Tesla Gets $82.5 Million Investment], Bloomberg.com, September 15, 2009</ref>
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| * Tesla announced on January 13, 2010, that it had produced its 1,000th Roadster. The company has delivered vehicles to customers in 43 states and 21 countries worldwide.<ref name="teslamotors.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=2279 |title=Press Center |publisher=Tesla Motors |date= |accessdate=2010-10-09}}</ref> In 2009 Tesla began taking orders from customers in Canada, and Canadian deliveries began in February 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=1380 |title=Press Releases |publisher=Tesla Motors |date= |accessdate=2009-08-06}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>[http://bostonherald.com.nyud.net/business/automotive/view/20100113electric_dreams_less_wild_more_pragmatic_at_2010_auto_show/srvc=home&position=also Electric dreams less wild, more pragmatic at 2010 auto show], the Boston Herald, January 13, 2010</ref>
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| * In January 2010, Tesla began producing its first right-hand-drive Roadsters for the UK and Ireland. The 2010 model-year right-hand-drive Roadster includes a suite of unique noise-reduction materials and an upgraded sound system. The Roadster starts at £86,950 and costs about 1.5p per mile.
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| * On 29 January 2010, in a [[Form S-1]] filing of its [[Prospectus (finance)|preliminary prospectus]] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the company stated that it would halt production of the Roadster in 2011 and replace it with a new model which would not be introduced until 2013 at the earliest: "...we do not plan to sell our current generation Tesla Roadster after 2011 due to planned tooling changes at a supplier for the Tesla Roadster, and we do not currently plan to begin selling our next generation Tesla Roadster until at least one year after the launch of the [[Tesla Model S|Model S]], which is not expected to be in production until 2012"...<ref name="secforms1">{{cite web | url = http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1318605/000119312510017054/ds1.htm | title = Form S-1, Registration Statement under The Securities Act of 1933: Tesla Motors, Inc. | publisher = [[Securities and Exchange Commission]] | date = 2010-01-29 | accessdate = 2010-01-30 }}</ref><ref name="suspended">{{cite news | url = http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/01/teslas-roadster-to-exit-in-2011/ | title = Tesla's Roadster To Exit In 2011 | last = Squatriglia | first = Chuck | publisher = Wired Magazine | date = 2010-01-29 | accessdate = 2010-01-30 }}</ref><ref name="SecGov1">[http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1318605/000119312510017054/ds1.htm Tesla Prospectus], U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved February 7, 2010.</ref>{{update after|2013|9|27}}<!-- what happened with the plan for a second-generation roadster that could be available as early as 1 year after Model S launch? -->
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| * On 16 March 2010, Tesla Motors announced that it had "negotiated agreements with key suppliers that will increase total Roadster production by 40 percent and extend sales into 2012",<ref name="expansion">{{cite news | url = http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/03/tesla-roadster-gets-a-reprieve-and-new-markets/ | title = Tesla Roadster Gets a Reprieve – And New Markets | last = Squatriglia | first = Chuck | publisher = Wired Magazine | date = 2010-03-15 | accessdate = 2010-03-15 }}</ref> also indicating that it would expand into the Asian and Australian markets by 2011.<ref name="expansion" />
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| * On 2 December 2010, Tesla had delivered more than 1400 Roadsters.<ref>[http://www.teslamotors.com/about/press/releases/tesla-delivers-100th-german-car-during-race-champions Tesla delivers 100th German car during Race of Champions], TeslaMotors.com, December 2, 2010</ref>
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| * On 28 September 2011, Tesla delivered its 100th Roadster in Switzerland.<ref>[http://www.teslamotors.com/about/press/releases/100th-swiss-tesla-roadster-hits-road], Teslamoters.com, September 28, 2011</ref>
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| * Production ended in January 2012 and no longer available for sale the U.S. after December 2011.<ref name=EndPro/>
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| * More than 2,418 units were sold worldwide through September 2012. The remaining cars were available for sale only in Europe and Asia.<ref name=SalesJune2012/><ref name=Tesla3Q2012/>
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| * Most of the remaining Tesla Roadsters were sold during the fourth quarter of 2012.<ref name=Tesla4Q2012>{{cite web|url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/2155882767x0x637040/4e3260f0-b711-47df-9c9e-16a8dda99a19/Q4'12%20SHL%20022013%20final.pdf|title=Tesla Motors, Inc. – Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2012 Shareholder Letter|author=Tesla Motors|publisher=[[Tesla Motors]]|date=2013-02-20|accessdate=2013-02-13}}</ref>{{update after|2013|9|27}}<!-- when did sales stop? earlier in the article, it says inventories were not yet depleted by Jun 2012 in Europe -->
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| ===Special final edition===
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| Tesla produced a special edition of 15 Final Edition Roadsters to close the production cycle of the electric car. The 15 special edition cars will be sold in each of the three sales regions, North America, Europe and Asia, and five units will be allocated to each. The Final Edition Roadster does not have any performance modifications, but features sporting atomic red paint, a duo of dark silver stripes on its hood and rear clamshell, and exclusive anthracite aluminum wheels.<ref name=SpecialEd>{{cite web|url=http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/16/this-is-the-last-tesla-roadster/|title=This is the last Tesla Roadster |author=Damon Lavrinc |publisher=[[Autoblog Green]]|date=2011-12-16|accessdate=2011-12-17}}</ref>
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| == Sales ==
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| Since 2008 Tesla sold more than 2,400 units worldwide through September 2012.<ref name=SalesJune2012>{{cite news|url= http://www.forbes.com/sites/toddwoody/2012/07/25/investors-hit-accelerator-despite-tesla-q2-revenue-miss/|title=Tesla Hits Accelerator Despite Q2 Revenue Miss|author= Todd Woody |work=[[Forbes]]|date=2012-07-25|accessdate=2012-07-25}} ''More than 2,350 units sold through June 2012''.</ref><ref name=Tesla3Q2012/> Featuring new options and enhanced features, the 2012 Tesla Roadster was sold in limited numbers only in Europe, Asia and Australia, and as of July 2012, less than 140 units were available for sale in Europe and Asia before the remaining inventory would be sold out.<ref name=SalesJune2012/> Tesla's U.S. exemption for not having special two-stage passenger airbags expired for cars made after the end of 2011 so the last Roadsters were not sold in the American market due to [[government regulation|regulatory]] reasons.<ref name=SalesJune2012/><ref name=TRSalesDec11/><ref name=LastSales/>{{update after|2013|9|27}}
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| [[File:TSLA S1 zoom in.jpg|thumb|Roadster with California's Clean Air Vehicle stickers (at the extremes of the bumper) that allows access to [[HOV lanes]] with solo driver]]
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| === United States ===
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| The base price for the 2010 models, which began shipping to customers in July 2009, was US$109,000. The Roadster has a bumper-to-bumper 3-year, {{convert|36000|mi|km|sing=on}} warranty. Tesla also offers an extended powertrain warranty and a battery replacement warranty. Options ranging from colors to audio to high-power connectors for faster charging will increase the price.
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| In July 2009, Tesla announced that US consumers could finance the Roadster through Bank of America. Financing is available for up to 75 percent of the total vehicle purchase price. A customer approved for a 5-year financing term on a base Roadster could put down as little as US$20,000 before taxes and net of the US federal tax credit. The monthly payment would be approximately US$1,700 at a 5 percent annual percentage rate (APR). That monthly payment is typical for high performance, although the Roadster costs roughly US$4 to refuel and does not require traditional automotive maintenance, like fluid, belt, and spark plug changes. Unlike internal combustion engines, Teslas get a 100 percent waiver on sales, luxury and use taxes in at least four states, and they qualify for commuter lane privileges, free parking and free charging in many regions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=1568 |title=Press Releases |publisher=Tesla Motors |date= |accessdate=2009-08-30}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
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| Tesla sells Roadsters directly to customers. It sells online, in 13 showrooms and over toll-free phone lines in North America and Europe. Tesla does not operate through franchise dealerships but operates company-owned stores. The company has said that it takes its retail cues from Apple, Starbucks and other non-automotive retailers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=1405 |title=Press Releases |publisher=Tesla Motors |date= |accessdate=2009-08-30}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
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| [[File:Tesla Roadster Japanese display.jpg|thumb|right|A Tesla Roadster on public display at a Japan-based showroom. It is also being charged.]]
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| === Outside the United States ===
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| The company has been shipping cars to European customers since mid-2009. Tesla sold out of its EU special-edition vehicle, which had a 2010 model-year production run of 250 cars, with a base price of {{€|99,000}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/721ce1de-0059-11dd-825a-000077b07658.html |title=Tesla to sell electric cars in Europe |work=Financial Times |date=2008-04-02 |accessdate=2009-06-09}}</ref> A total of 575 units have been sold in Europe through October 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france-mobilite-electrique.org/IMG/pdf/12_EUROPE_18.pdf|title=Inmatriculations VP et VUL Europe 18 à fin Oct. (2010–2012) 2012 |language=French|trans_title=Registrations of passenger cars and utility vehicles in Europe 18 through October 2012 (2010–2012)|author=Justin Aschard|publisher=France Mobilité Électrique|date=2012-11-30|accessdate=2012-12-05}}</ref>
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| Tesla opened a showroom in London, its first outside the US, on June 25, 2009, and announced at the same time that it would start building right-hand-drive models from early 2010.<ref name=righthand /> Tesla opened a store in Munich in September 2009 and a store in Monaco in November 2009. It opened stores in Zurich and Copenhagen in the summer of 2010 and in Milan in February 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.omniauto.it/magazine/14826/tesla-roadster-apre-a-milano-showroom |title=Tesla apre a Milano |publisher=Omniauto.it |date=2003-12-15 |accessdate=2011-06-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alvolante.it/news/elon_musk_tesla-407946 |title=A tu per tu con Elon Musk, l’uomo-Tesla |publisher=Alvolante.it |date= |accessdate=2011-06-21}}</ref> Reservations for the 2010 Roadster were available for a €3,000 refundable reservation fee.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=101846&topicId=104970025&docId=l:840211257 | title=The Green Mean Machine | date=2008-08-21 | author=Mark Prigg | newspaper=The Evening Standard |location=London | accessdate=2008-08-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/buy/resyourcar.php |title=Tesla Motors |publisher=Tesla Motors |date=2007-07-06 |accessdate=2009-06-09}}</ref>
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| {{As of|2012|05|08}}, Hansjoerg von Gemmingen of Karlsruhe / Germany drove his Tesla Roadster 205,711 kilometers (127,823 miles) in four years, this being the mileage world record for all-electric vehicles.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.spiegel.de/auto/aktuell/200-000-kilometer-mit-dem-elektroauto-tesla-roadster-a-831761.html | work=Der Spiegel | language=German | title=200,000 Kilometer im Tesla Roadster |date=8 May 2012 | first = Tom |last= Grünweg | trans_title=200,000 km in the Tesla Roadster |accessdate=30 June 2012}}</ref>
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| Kevin Yu, the director of Tesla Motors Asia Pacific, said that Roadsters are sold in Japanese showrooms at an average price between ¥12.8 million and ¥20 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metropolis.co.jp/features/feature/socket-to-em/|archiveurl=http://archive.is/1W2Yx|title=Socket to ‘Em|author=Chris Bethros|accessdate=2013-06-26|archivedate=2013-06-26|date=2011-03-31|publisher=Metropolis Japan}}</ref>
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| == Service ==
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| [[File:Oslo taxi Tesla.jpg|thumb|300px|left|A Tesla Roadster taxi used by Oslo Taxi in Oslo, Norway.]]
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| Whereas vehicles with internal combustion engines require more frequent service for oil changes and routine maintenance on engine components and other related systems, Tesla's website recommends the owner bring the vehicle in for service "once a year or every 12,000 miles".<ref name="tesla">{{cite web|url=https://www.teslamotors.com/own/service|title=Service Everywhere | Own a Tesla | Tesla Motors|publisher=Tesla Motors|accessdate=7 August 2010}}</ref> For other concerns with Tesla's all-electric powertrain, Tesla has created a "mobile service unit" that dispatches company-trained technicians to customers' homes or offices in case the owner is experiencing problems. Tesla charges the customer according to the distance the service unit needs to travel: one US dollar per [[mile]] roundtrip with a 100 dollar minimum.<ref name="tesla"/> Technicians drive company vans equipped with numerous tools and testing equipment to do "in the field" repairs, enhancements and software upgrades. Tesla debuted its "house call" approach in the spring of 2009, when the company announced a recall due to a manufacturing problem in the Lotus assembly plant, which also affected the Lotus Elise and other models from the British sports car maker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=1376 |title=Press Releases |publisher=Tesla Motors |date= |accessdate=2009-08-30}}{{dead link|date=August 2010}}</ref>
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| The first Tesla Motors service center, in Los Angeles, [[California]], was opened on [[Santa Monica Boulevard]] on May 1, 2008.<ref name="AutoblogGreen 2008-05-02">{{cite web |url=http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/02/first-tesla-store-opens-in-santa-monica-now-we-just-need-some-c/ |title=First Tesla store opens in Santa Monica, now we just need some cars |date=2008-05-02 |author=[http://www.autobloggreen.com/bloggers/sam-abuelsamid Sam Abuelsamid] }}</ref> Tesla Motors publicly opened their second showroom and service area in [[Menlo Park, California]] on July 22, 2008. The Menlo Park location is also the final assembly area for Tesla Roadsters. Tesla also operates service centers in New York City, [[Miami]], Chicago, and [[Seattle]].
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| Tesla plans to build additional service centers over the next few years to support sales of its next vehicle, the [[Tesla Model S|Model S]] sports sedan. Planning is underway for an additional 15 service centers in United States major metropolitan locations.<ref name="Pogue2007">{{cite news | url=http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/04/05/solving-the-car-propulsion-problem/ | title=Solving the Car Propulsion Problem | publisher=New York Times | author=[[David Pogue]] | date=2007-04-05 }}</ref> Possible locations for sales and service locations in Europe were announced in a letter to customers in May 2008.<ref>{{cite web|last=Motors |first=Tesla |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog2/?p=59 |title=Program Update | Blog |publisher=Tesla Motors |date=2008-05-15 |accessdate=2011-04-18}}</ref>
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| == Specifications ==
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| === Motor ===
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| {{Multiple image|direction=vertical|align=right|image1=Tesla Roadster DSC 0179.jpg|image2=Tesla Roadster DSC 0291.jpg|width=220||caption2=Tesla Roadster with hood and trunk open}}
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| The roadster is powered by an [[electric motor]], a [[3-phase]], 4-[[dipole|pole]] [[induction motor]], producing a maximum net power of {{convert|248|hp|kW|lk=in|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Sport Model Press Release">{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=1205|title= Tesla Motors introduces Roadster Sport|date=2008-01-11|publisher=Tesla Motors|accessdate=2009-01-14}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Maximum torque is 200·lb·ft (270 N·m), obtained at 0 rpm and almost constant up to 6,000 rpm, a common feature of electric motors and one of the biggest differences (from the performance point of view) with internal combustion engines. The motor is air-cooled and does not need a liquid cooling system.
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| The Sport Model introduced during the [[North American International Auto Show|2009 Detroit Auto Show]] includes a motor with a higher density, hand-wound [[stator]] that produces a maximum of {{convert|288|hp|kW|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Sport Model web page">{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/roadstersport/|title=Roadster Sport|date=2009-01-11|publisher=Tesla Motors|accessdate=2009-01-14}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Both motors are designed for rotational speeds of up to 14,000 rpm, and the regular motor delivers a typical efficiency of 88%<ref name="motor technology"/> or 90%; 80% at peak power. It weighs less than 70 pounds (32 kg).<ref name="How stuff works">{{cite web|url=http://auto.howstuffworks.com/tesla-roadster.htm/printable|title=How stuff works|date=2010-01-11|publisher=Tesla Motors|accessdate=2010-01-11}}</ref>
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| === Transmission ===
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| Starting in September 2008 Tesla Motors selected [[BorgWarner]] to manufacture gearboxes and began equipping all Roadsters with a single speed, fixed gear gearbox (8.2752:1) with an electrically actuated [[parking pawl]] mechanism and a mechanical lubrication pump.<ref name="Tesla 2008-09-09" />
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| The company previously worked with several companies, including XTrac and [[Magna International]], to find the right [[automatic transmission]], but a two-gear solution proved to be too challenging. This led to substantial delays in production. At the "Town Hall Meeting" with owners in December 2007, Tesla announced plans to ship the initial 2008 Roadsters with their interim Magna two-speed direct shift [[manual transmission]]s locked into second gear, limiting the performance of the car to less than what was originally stated ({{convert|0|to|60|mph|abbr=on}} in 5.7 seconds instead of the announced 4.0 seconds). Tesla also announced it would upgrade those transmissions under warranty when the final transmission became available.<ref name="Tesla Motors 55" /><ref name="Telsa Motors Club Forum 4465-11" /><ref name="AutoBlog 2007-12-19">{{cite web | url = http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/19/tesla-clarifies-report-of-temporary-transmissions/ |date=2007-12-19 |title=Tesla clarifies report of "temporary transmissions" | first = John | last = Neff }}</ref> At the "Town Hall Meeting" with owners on January 30, 2008, Tesla Motors described the planned transmission upgrade as a single-speed gearbox with a drive ratio of 8.27:1 combined with improved electronics and motor cooling that retain the acceleration from {{convert|0|to|60|mph|abbr=on}} in under 4 seconds and an improved motor limit of 14,000 rpm to retain the {{convert|125|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} top speed.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.teslamotors.com/blog2/?p=55 | title = A Letter to Customers from Ze'ev Drori | work = Tesla Motors | author = Ze'ev Drori | date = 2007-12-17 | accessdate = 2009-12-08 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071231060859/http://www.teslamotors.com/blog2/?p=55 |archivedate = December 31, 2007}}</ref> The upgraded system also improved the maximum torque from {{convert|200|to|280|lb·ft|N.m|abbr=on}} and improves the Roadster's [[quarter mile]] times.
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| ==== Gear selector ====
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| In the interior the gear selector is similar to a push-button automatic with buttons labeled P, R, N and D while some earlier models have a gear lever similar to that in cars with manual transmission.
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| === Performance ===
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| The Roadster's {{convert|0|to|60|mph|abbr=on}} acceleration time is 3.9 seconds for the Standard Model and 3.7 seconds for the 2010 Sport Model. MotorTrend, which performed the first independent instrumented testing of the Roadster Sport, confirmed the company's reported {{convert|0|to|60|mph|abbr=on}} time of 3.7 seconds. MotorTrend recorded {{convert|0|to|60|mph|abbr=on}} of 3.70 seconds; it recorded a {{convert|1/4|mi|adj=on}} test at 12.6 sec giving {{convert|102.6|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/112_0912_2010_tesla_roadster_sport_test/specs.html#ixzz0b8yiYKO0 Motor Trend] First Test: 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport</ref> The top speed is electronically limited to {{convert|125|mph|abbr=on}}. The Roadster covers the {{convert|1/4|mi|adj=on}} [[dragstrip]] in 12.757 seconds at {{Convert|104.74|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Tesla Touch 2008-11-10">{{cite web | url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog4/?p=69 | date=2008-11-10 | accessdate=2008-12-14 | title=Drag-racing in the Roadster: A first-person account | author= Iain Morrison, Telsa Motors Test & Validation Engineer }}</ref> It weighs about {{convert|2700|lb|kg|abbr=on}} and is [[rear wheel drive]]; most of the car's weight is centered in front of the rear axle. Its body style and smooth underbody result in a [[Automobile drag coefficient|C<sub>d</sub>]] of 0.35.<ref name="Ramsey2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/03/26/tesla-model-s-50-000-ev-sedan-seats-seven-300-mile-range-0-6/|title=Tesla Model S: US$50,000 EV sedan seats seven, 300-mile range, 0–60 in 5.5s| last=Ramsey| first=Jonathon|date=2009-03-26| publisher=autobloggreen|accessdate=2009-04-12}}</ref>
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| Tesla began delivering the higher performance Sport version of the Roadster in July 2009. The Roadster Sport has adjustable dampers and a new hand-wound motor, capable of {{convert|0|to|60|mph|abbr=on}} in 3.7 seconds.<ref name="Telsa 2009-01-11">{{cite press release |title=Tesla Motors introduces Roadster Sport |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=1205 |publisher=Tesla Motors |date=2009-01-11 |accessdate=2009-05-07}}</ref> Scotty Pollacheck, a high-performance driver for [[Killacycle]], drove a 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport at the Wayland Invitational Drag Race in Portland, Ore., in July 2009. He did a quarter-mile (~400 m) in dry conditions in 12.643 seconds, setting a new record in the [[National Electric Drag Racing Association]] among the SP/A3 class of vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://peakoilgarage.com/2009/07/27/tesla-roadster-sport-nedra-record-12-643-at-14-mile/ |title=Tesla Roadster Sport NEDRA record 12.643 at 1/4 mile « Peak Oil Garage |publisher=Peakoilgarage.com |date=2009-07-27 |accessdate=2009-08-01}}</ref> The [[Fuel economy in automobiles#EPA testing procedure: 2008 and beyond|EPA]] combined range (specifying distance traveled between charges) measured in February 2008 for early production Roadsters was {{convert|231|mi|km|abbr=on}} city, {{convert|224|mi|km|abbr=on}} highway, and {{convert|227|mi|km|abbr=on}} combined (city/highway).<ref name="Tesla Motors FAQ">{{cite web | url=http://www.teslamotors.com/learn_more/faqs.php?flat=1#faq-q-item3 | date=2008-02-28 | accessdate=2008-12-13 | publisher=Tesla Motors | author=Tesla Motors | title=How far can the Tesla Roadster drive between charges? | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080729041920/http://www.teslamotors.com/learn_more/faqs.php?flat=1#faq-q-item3 |archivedate = July 29, 2008}}</ref> In August 2008, additional testing with the newer Powertrain 1.5 resulted in an EPA combined range of {{convert|244|mi|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Tesla 2008-09-09">{{cite web | url=http://www.teslamotors.com/about/press/releases/tesla-motors-selects-borgwarner-production-new-gearbox-tesla-roadster | date=2011-02-25 | publisher=Tesla Motors | author=Tesla Motors | title=Tesla Motors Selects BorgWarner for Production of New Gearbox for Tesla Roadster }}</ref> The vehicle set a new distance record when it completed the {{convert|241|mi|km|sing=on}} Rallye Monte Carlo d'Energies Alternatives with {{convert|36|mi|km}} left on the charge.<ref>{{cite web|last=Taylor |first=Alun |url=http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/04/10/tesla_wins_at_monaco/ |title=Tesla Roadster runs for 241 miles in Monte Carlo e-rally • Register Hardware |publisher=Reghardware.co.uk |date=2009-04-10 |accessdate=2009-08-01}}</ref>
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| [[Simon Hackett]] and Emilis Prelgauskas broke the distance record for an electric vehicle, driving {{convert|501|km|abbr=on}} from [[Alice Springs]] to [[Marla]], South Australia, in Simon's Tesla Roadster. The car had about {{convert|4.8|km|abbr=on}} of range left when the drive was completed.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.internode.on.net/news/2009/10/155.php |title=Internode M.D. smashes E.V. world distance record | date=2009-10-29 | accessdate=2009-10-29}}</ref>
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| === Battery system ===
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| {{multiple image
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| }}
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| Tesla Motors refers to the Roadster's battery pack as the Energy Storage System or ESS. The ESS contains 6,831 [[lithium ion battery|lithium ion]] cells arranged into 11 "sheets" connected in series; each sheet contains 9 "bricks" connected in series; each "brick" contains 69 cells connected in parallel (11S 9S 69P). The cells are of the [[18650]] form-factor commonly found in [[laptop]] batteries. Sources disagree on the exact type of Li-Ion cells—GreenCar says [[lithium cobalt oxide]] (LiCo),<ref>{{cite web|last=Voelcker|first=John|title=Boeing 787 Batteries Same As Those In Electric Cars? Umm, NO|url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1081753_boeing-787-batteries-same-as-those-in-electric-cars-umm-no|publisher=GreenCar|accessdate=18 January 2013|date=18 January 2013}}</ref> while researchers at [[Technical University of Denmark|DTU]]/[[INESC Porto]] state lithium manganese oxide (LMO).<ref>{{cite book|last=Rodrigo Garcia-Valle, João Abel Peças Lopes|title=Electric Vehicle Integration Into Modern Power Networks|publisher=Springer|isbn=1461401348, 9781461401346|accessdate=18 January 2013|page=33|date=28 September 2012}}</ref> LiCo has higher reaction energy during [[thermal runaway]] than LMO.<ref name=tuCo>{{cite web|last=Dalløkken|first=Per Erlien|title=Her er Dreamliner-problemet|url=http://www.tu.no/industri/2013/01/17/her-er-dreamliner-problemet|publisher=[[Teknisk Ukeblad]]|accessdate=January 17, 2013|language=Norwegian|date=January 17, 2013}} [http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=no&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tu.no%2Findustri%2F2013%2F01%2F17%2Fher-er-dreamliner-problemet English translation]</ref>
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| The pack is designed to prevent catastrophic cell failures from propagating to adjacent cells (thermal runaway), even when the cooling system is off.<ref name="Patent 7433794">{{US patent reference | number = 7433794 | y = 2008 | m = 10 | d = 07 | inventor = Berdichevsky; Eugene Michael (Palo Alto, CA), Cole; Philip David (Redwood City, CA), Hebert; Arthur Joseph (San Carlos, CA), Hermann; Weston Arthur (Palo Alto, CA), Kelty; Kurt Russell (Palo Alto, CA), Kohn; Scott Ira (Menlo Park, CA), Lyons; David Frederick (Palo Alto, CA), Straubel; Jeffrey Brian (Menlo Park, CA), Mendez; Noel Jason (Mountain View, CA) | title = Mitigation of propagation of thermal runaway in a multi-cell battery pack }}</ref><!-- source: The Tesla Roadster Battery System, page 5, first paragraph in the "testing" section--> Coolant is pumped continuously through the ESS both when the car is running and when the car is turned off if the pack retains more than a 90% charge. The coolant pump draws 146 watts.<ref name="Motor Press Guild Speech">{{cite web | url=http://www.teslamotors.com/display_data/pressguild.swf | title=The Future of Cars is Electric | author=Martin Eberhard, Tesla Motors CEO | authorlink=Martin Eberhard | publisher=Tesla Motors | date=2007-08-07 | quote=Video available from [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6124789175148491596 Google Video]. Slide 90 shows that "The ESS consists of 6831 individual cells that are electrically connected into parallel groups of 69 cells". (11S 9S 69P) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/technical-discussion/1727-little-water-pump-3.html#post13734 |title=That Little Water Pump | work = Tesla Motors Club Forum |publisher=Teslamotorsclub.com |date= |accessdate=2009-06-09}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>[http://teslafounders.wordpress.com/2008/10/12/wasting-energy-like-two-really-nice-refrigerators/ Wasting Energy like Two Really Nice Refrigerators], October 12, 2008</ref><ref name="Tesla Rebuttal to ZEV Amendment">{{cite web | url=http://www.teslamotors.com/display_data/Tesla_rebuttal_ZEV_expert_panel.pdf | title=Response to the CARB ZEV Expert Panel Position on Lithium-Ion Full-Performance Battery Electric Vehicles | author=Andrew Simpson, Telsa Motors | date=March 23, 2008 | publisher=[[Tesla Motors]] | format=PDF }}</ref>
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| A full recharge of the battery system requires 3½ hours using the High Power Connector which supplies 70 amp, 240 volt electricity; in practice, recharge cycles usually start from a partially charged state and require less time. A fully charged ESS stores approximately 53 kWh of electrical energy at a nominal 375 volts<!-- source: http://www.teslamotors.com/blog4/?p=59 --> and weighs {{convert|992|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.teslamotors.com/blog4/?p=59 The Tesla Roadster Battery System, page 2]</ref><ref name="Tesla 59">{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog4/?p=59|title=The Most Coddled Automotive Battery Ever?|last=Toomre, Tesla Motors Director of Manufacturing Programs|first=Eric|date=2007-08-08|publisher=Tesla Motors|accessdate=2009-02-17}}</ref>
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| Tesla Motors stated in February 2009 that the current replacement cost of the ESS is slightly under US$36,000, with an expected life span of 7 years/{{convert|100000|mi|km|abbr=on}}, and began offering owners an option to pre-purchase a battery replacement for US$12,000 today with the replacement to be delivered after seven years. The ESS is expected to retain 70% capacity after 5 years and {{convert|50000|mi|km}} of driving ({{convert|10000|mi|km}} driven each year). However, a July 2013 study found that even after 100,000 miles, Roadster batteries still have 80%–85% capacity and the only significant factor is mileage (not temperature) <ref>http://www.pluginamerica.org/surveys/batteries/tesla-roadster/PIA-Roadster-Battery-Study.pdf</ref> Tesla Motors provides a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on the Roadster with an optional 4 year/50,000 mile extended warranty available at an "additional cost" (2008 Roadster buyers received the 4/50 extension at no cost while later purchasers need to pay). A non-ESS warranty extension is available for US$5,000 and adds another 3/36 to the coverage of components, excluding the ESS, for a total of 6 years for {{convert|72000|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Tesla Motors Club 218">{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/tesla-motors/218-buying-replacement-ess.html#post1063|title=Buying Replacement ESS|last=Belding|first=Tony|date=2007-03-13|publisher=Tesla Motors Club|accessdate=2009-02-27}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="Tesla 70">{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog2/?p=70|title=Tesla Motors Update|last=Musk|first=Elon|date=2009-02-12|publisher=Tesla Motors|accessdate=2009-02-17}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
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| Tesla Motors announced plans to sell the battery system to ''[[Think Nordic|TH!NK]]'' and possibly others through its Tesla Energy Group division. The TH!NK plans were put on hold by interim CEO Michael Marks in September 2007.<ref name="SJ Mercury 05-22-2007">{{ cite news | author = Matt Nauman | title = Tesla Motors to sell batteries in $43 million deal with Think | url = http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_5956932 | publisher = San Jose Mecury News | date=2007-05-22 | accessdate = 2007-06-19 | quote = }}</ref><ref name="Autoblog EDTA">{{cite web | url=http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/11/29/tesla-motors-ready-to-license-batter-tech-to-other-companies/ | title=EDTA Conference: Tesla Motors ready to license battery tech to other companies | accessdate=2007-03-11 | author=[http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/sebastian-blanco/ Sebastian Blanco] }}</ref><ref name="CNET News">{{cite web | url=http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9798162-7.html | title=Tesla delays its battery business, but test drives begin | date=2007-10-16 | accessdate=2008-02-09 | author=[http://www.news.com/8300-10784_3-7.html?authorId=129&tag=author Michael Kanellos] | publisher=News.com }}</ref> TH!NK now obtains their Lithium-Ion batteries from Enerdel.
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| If the battery is allowed to become completely discharged it will be irretrievably damaged and the only option is to replace it at a cost of $40,000. Neither insurance nor warranty will cover this cost; it has to be met out of the owner's own pocket.<ref>[http://jalopnik.com/5887265 Tesla Motors' Devastating Design Problem]. Jalopnik.com (2012-02-21). Retrieved on 2013-08-10.</ref> (see also [[Brick (electronics)]])
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| [[File:Tesla Roadster charger DSC 0200.jpg|thumb|Tesla charging unit]]
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| === Recharging ===
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| The Tesla Roadster uses a proprietary charging connector, although Tesla sells a mobile adapter that enables recharging with an [[SAE J1772|SAE J1772-2009]] connector.<ref name=Tesla-J1772>{{cite web|title=J1772 Mobile Connector|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/goelectric/charging/j1772-mobile-connector|publisher=Tesla Motors|accessdate=13 May 2011}} <!-- for future use if necessary: archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5yejZlLaC | archivedate=2011-05-13 --></ref> The vehicle can be recharged using:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/electric/charging.php |title=Tesla Motors – Charging Solutions |publisher=Tesla Motors |accessdate=2010-05-11|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5yehbSkYO|archivedate=2010-01-04}}</ref>
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| * A wall-mounted 208–240 V, 70 A maximum current Home Connector. This appears to be an OEM version of the TS-70 [[charging station]] from [[ClipperCreek]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=ClipperCreek to Supply Power Control Stations for Tesla Motors |url=http://clippercreek.net/images/ClipperCreek%20to%20Supply%20Power%20Control%20Stations%20for%20Tesla%20Motors.pdf |publisher=ClipperCreek |date=2009-04-30 |accessdate=2010-05-11}}</ref>
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| * A portable 120–240 V, 40 A maximum current Universal Mobile Connector cable that can plug into a [[NEMA connector#NEMA 14|NEMA 14–50]] receptacle and other 240V receptacles using adapters.
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| * A portable 120 V, 15 A maximum current Spare Mobile Connector cable that plugs into a standard North American domestic socket.
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| Charging times vary depending on the ESS's state-of-charge, the available voltage, and the available circuit breaker amp rating ([[Electric current|current]]). In a best case scenario using a 240 V charger on a 90 A circuit breaker, Tesla documents a recharging rate of {{convert|56|mi|km}}-of-range for each hour charging; a complete recharge from empty would require just under 4 hours. The slowest charging rate using a 120V outlet on a 15 A circuit breaker would add {{convert|5|mi|km}}-of-range for each hour charging; a complete recharge from empty would require 48 hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com/goelectric/charging |title=Charging |publisher=Tesla Motors |date= |accessdate=2010-10-09 }}<!-- for future use: archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5yehfQpwX | archivedate=2011-05-13 --></ref>
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| == Energy efficiency ==
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| In June 2006, Tesla Motors reported the Roadster's battery-to-wheel efficiency as 110 W·h/km (17.7 kW·h/100 mi) on an unspecified driving cycle—either a constant {{convert|60|mph|abbr=on}}) or SAE J1634 test—and stated a charging efficiency of 86% for an overall plug-to-wheel efficiency of 128 W·h/km (20.5 kW·h/100 mi).<ref name="TeslaWtoW"/><ref name="Idaho National Laboratory">{{cite web | url = http://ev.inel.gov/pdf/fsev/eva/genmot.pdf |title=EVAmerica Baseline Performance Testing for 1997 General Motors EV1 with PbA Batteries |accessdate=2007-03-05 |author=Idaho National Laboratory |authorlink=Idaho National Laboratory | format = PDF | quote = Footnote 8 in Tesla Motor's white paper refers to this INL study for the equivalent efficiency number from GM EV1 testing but does not specify the driving cycle. }}</ref><ref name="The 21st century Electric Car">{{ cite journal | author = Martin Eberhard, Marc Tarpenning | title = The 21st century Electric Car | publisher = Tesla Motors | date = 2006-10-06 | url = http://www.teslamotors.com/display_data.php?data_name=21stCentElectricCar | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-02-23 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071013154503/http://teslamotors.com/display_data.php?data_name=21stCentElectricCar |archivedate = October 13, 2007}}</ref>
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| [[File:Graph Evolution of Tesla Roadster Efficiency.PNG|thumb|left|Evolution of the Roadster's plug-to-wheel efficiency (smaller values indicate better efficiency)]]
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| In March 2007, Tesla Motors reported the Roadster's efficiency on the EPA highway cycle as "135 mpg [U.S.] equivalent, per the conversion rate used by the EPA" or 133 W·h/km (21.5 kW·h/100 mi) battery-to-wheel and 155 W·h/km (24.9 kW·h/100 mi) plug-to-wheel.<ref name="US Senate Hearing">{{ cite journal | title = Musk Testimony | author = [[Elon Musk]] | publisher = United States Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources |date=2007-03-07 | url = http://energy.senate.gov/public/_files/MuskTestimony.doc | format = [[Microsoft Word]] | accessdate = 2007-03-14}}</ref><ref name="Tesla Motors Press Room">{{cite press release |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=53&js_enabled=0 |title=Tesla Motors Corporate Backgrounder |accessdate=2006-12-05 |publisher=[[Tesla Motors]] |quote=...the Tesla Roadster is capable of 135 mpg equivalent...}}</ref><ref name="Edmunds Inside Line">{{cite web |url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=116204 |title=Tesla Roadster: Lotus Helps Create Sporty 135 MPG Electric Car |accessdate=2006-12-05 |author=Edmunds.com Inside Line |authorlink=Edmunds.com |date=2006-07-21 |quote=...achieves the equivalent of 135 mpg.}}</ref><ref name="Marketplace Public Radio">{{cite news |last = Neil |first = Dan |title = A roadster that's electric |publisher = Marketplace Public Radio |date =2006-07-20 | url = http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2006/07/20/PM200607208.html |accessdate = 2006-09-18 }}</ref>
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| In August 2007, Tesla Motors' dynamometer testing of a Validation Prototype on the EPA combined cycle yielded a range of {{convert|221|mi|km|abbr=on}} using 149 W·h/km (23.9 kW·h/100 mi) battery-to-wheel and 209 Wh/km (33.6 kW·h/100 mi) plug-to-wheel.<ref name="Tesla Motors 55" /><ref name="Tesla Motors 60">{{cite web |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog4/?p=60 |title=Where the Rubber Meets the Road |author=Andrew Simpson, Tesla Motors Vehicle Systems Engineer |date=2007-09-24 |accessdate=2008-02-22 |quote=Mr. Simpson confirmed via email that "We do not quote station-to-wheel efficiency, but we do quote plug-to-wheel efficiency which includes all energy use downstream of the charging plug. For the most recent {{convert|221|mi|km|abbr=on}} range test, our plug-to-wheel efficiency was 336 Wh/mi". }}</ref>
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| In February 2008, Tesla Motors reported improved plug-to-wheel efficiency after testing a Validation Prototype car at an EPA-certified location. Those tests yielded a range of {{convert|220|mi|abbr=on}} and a plug-to-wheel efficiency of 256 mpg<sub>ge</sub>, or 199 W·h/km (32.1 kW·h/100 mi).<ref name="Tesla home page Feb 2008">{{cite web | url=http://www.teslamotors.com | title=Tesla Motors | accessdate=2008-06-25 | quote=256 mpg equivalent*, 220 miles per charge*, less than 2¢ per mile*...* Range is based on our most recent testing with a Validation Prototype car at an EPA-certified location in February 2008. EPA range is subject to change pending future testing. Actual range will vary with driving style and conditions. Conversion from electric consumption to gallons of gasoline equivalent is calculated using the Department of Energy equivalence factor documented in the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 10, Part 474. }}</ref><ref name="Associated Press Newsbrief">{{cite news |last = Rogers |first = John |title = Tesla rolls out its long-awaited electric sports car |agency = Associated Press |date =2008-05-02 |url= http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004388491_apelectriccar.html |accessdate = 2008-05-02 | work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>
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| In August 2008, Tesla Motors reported on testing with the new, single-speed gearbox and upgraded electronics of Powertrain 1.5 which yielded an EPA range of {{convert|244|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} and an EPA combined cycle, plug-to-wheel efficiency of 174 W·h/km, 630 kJ/km (28 kW·h/100 mi).<ref name="Tesla home page Sept 2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.teslamotors.com|title=Tesla Motors|accessdate=2008-10-29|quote=*<nowiki>[244 mile]</nowiki> Range is based on our most recent testing with a Validation Prototype car at a location certified by the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) in August 2008. EPA-certified electricity consumption is 28 kW·h per 100 miles (17 kW·h/100 km or 630 kJ/km) on EPA combined cycle. EPA range and electricity consumption are subject to change pending future testing. Actual range and electricity consumption will vary with driving conditions and charging location. <nowiki>[Pennies per mile]</nowiki> Cost calculated using average winter/summer PG&E schedule E-9 off-peak "rate A" tariff, as of March 1, 2007. }}</ref>
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| [[File:Testing the Tesla at Argonne National Laboratory (3).jpg|thumb|Roadster being tested through a driving cycle at [[Argonne National Laboratory]]'s two-wheel dynamometer. These tests helped researchers develop test procedures to evaluate fuel efficiency in electric vehicles in 2010.]]
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| In 2007, the Roadster's [[life cycle analysis|battery-to-wheel]] motor efficiency was reported as 88%<ref name="motor technology"/> to 90% on average and 80% at peak power.<ref name="2007 Roadster Specs">{{cite web | url=http://www.teslamotors.com/performance/tech_specs.php | title=2007 Tesla Roadster Technical Specifications | accessdate=2011-02-25 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071020043035/http://www.teslamotors.com/performance/tech_specs.php | archivedate=2007-10-20 }}</ref> For comparison, [[internal combustion engine]]s have a tank-to-wheel efficiency of about 15%.<ref name="EPA FuelEconomy">{{cite web | url = http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/atv.shtml | title = Advanced Technologies and Energy Efficiency | accessdate = 2008-02-10 | author = US EPA }}</ref> Taking a more complete picture including the cost of energy drawn from its source, Tesla reports that their technology, assuming electricity generated from natural gas-burning power plants, has a high [[Tank-to-wheel|well-to-wheel]] efficiency of 1.14 kilometers per [[Joule|megajoule]], compared to 0.202 km/MJ for gasoline-powered sports cars, 0.478 km/MJ for gasoline-powered commuter cars, 0.556 km/MJ for [[Hybrid electric vehicle|hybrid cars]], and 0.348 km/MJ for hydrogen [[fuel cell vehicle]]s.<ref name="The 21st century Electric Car"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/goelectric/efficiency |title=Using Energy Efficiently |publisher=Tesla Motors |accessdate=2022-02-25}}</ref>
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| === Petroleum-equivalent efficiency ===
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| {{see also|electric car#Comparison with internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs)}}
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| The Roadster does not actually use gasoline; therefore, petroleum efficiency (MPG, L/100 km) cannot be measured directly but instead is calculated using one of several equivalent methods:
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| A number comparable to the typical [[Monroney sticker]]'s "pump-to-wheel" fuel efficiency can be calculated based on regulations from the [[United States Department of Energy|DOE]] and its energy content for a U.S. gallon of gasoline of 33,705 {{frac|W·h|gal}} (also called the [[Lower heating value|Lower Heating Value (LHV)]] of gasoline):<ref name="petroleum-equivalency"/><ref name="fueleconomy.gov">{{cite web|url=http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx2008f.jsp?year=2003&make=Toyota&model=RAV4%20EV&hiddenField=Findacar|title=fueleconomy.gov 2003 Toyota RAV4 EV|year=2003|publisher=[[USDOE]] and [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]]|accessdate=2009-05-11}}</ref>
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| <math>\frac{33705\,\frac{\mathrm{W \cdot h}}{\mathrm{gal_{ge}}}}
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| {135\,\frac{\mathrm{W \cdot h}}{\mathrm{km}} \times \frac{1.6\, \mathrm{km}}{\mathrm{mi}}}
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| \times 77.6 \% {\mathrm{_{charging\ eff.}}}= 120 \,\mathrm{mpg_{ge}} = 1.95 \frac{\mathrm{L_{ge}}}{100\, \mathrm{km}}</math>
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| For [[Corporate Average Fuel Economy|CAFE]] regulatory purposes, the [[United States Department of Energy|DOE]]'s full petroleum-equivalency equation combines the primary energy efficiencies of the USA [[electric power transmission|electric grid]] and the well-to-pump path with a "fuel content factor" that quantifies the value of conservation, scarcity of fuels, and energy security in the USA.<ref name="petroleum-equivalency">{{cite journal | author = [[United States Department of Energy|U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)]], Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy | title = 10 CFR Part 474, Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Program; Petroleum-Equivalent Fuel Economy Calculation; Final Rule | publisher = [[United States Government Printing Office|U.S. GPO]], Federal Register Vol. 64 No. 113 | date=2000-07-12 | url = http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2000_register&docid=00-14446-filed.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2006-09-22 }}</ref> This combination yields a factor of 82,049 {{frac|W·h|gal}} in the above equation and a regulatory fuel efficiency of 293 [[miles per gallon gasoline equivalent|mpg<sub>ge</sub>]]<sub>CAFE</sub>.
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| [[File:Roadster 2.5 charging.jpg|thumb|Tesla Roadster 2.5 charging from a conventional outlet]]
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| Recharging with electricity from the average USA grid, the factor changes to 12,307 {{frac|W·h|gal<sub>US</sub>}}<ref name="petroleum-equivalency"/> to remove the "fuel content factor" = {{frac|1|0.15}} and the above equation yields a [[life cycle energy analysis|full-cycle energy-equivalency]] of 44.0 mpg<sub>ge full-cycle</sub>. For full-cycle comparisons, the sticker or "pump-to-wheel" value from a gasoline-fueled vehicle must be multiplied by the fuel's "well-to-pump" efficiency; the DOE regulation specifies a "well-to-pump" efficiency of 83% for gasoline.<ref name="petroleum-equivalency"/> The [[Prius]]' sticker<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx2008f.jsp?year=2008&make=Toyota&model=Prius&hiddenField=Findacar |title=Model 1 Vehicle Characteristics |publisher=Fueleconomy.gov |date=2006-09-10 |accessdate=2011-06-21}}</ref> {{convert|46|mpgus }}, for example, converts to a full-cycle energy-equivalent of 38.2 mpg<sub>full-cycle</sub>.<ref name="petroleum-equivalency"/>
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| Recharging with electricity generated by newer, 58% efficiency [[CCGT]] power plants,<ref name="DOE Top Power Project">{{cite news | url=http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2003/tl_baglanbay.html | title = Advanced Natural Gas Turbine Hailed as Top Power Project of 2003 | publisher = [[United States Department of Energy|DOE]] | date=2003-12-30 | accessdate = 2007-03-14 }}</ref> changes the factor to 21,763 {{frac|W·h|gal}}<ref name="petroleum-equivalency"/> in the above equation and yields a fuel efficiency of 77.7 mpg<sub>ge</sub>.
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| Recharging with non-fossil fuel electricity sources such as [[hydroelectricity|hydroelectric]], [[solar power]], [[wind power|wind]] or [[nuclear power|nuclear]], the petroleum equivalent efficiency can be even higher as fossil fuel is not directly used in refueling.<ref name="fueleconomy.gov evtech">{{cite web|url=http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evtech.shtml |title=Electric Vehicles (EVs) |publisher=Fueleconomy.gov |date= |accessdate=2009-06-09}}</ref>
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| Monetary cost offers another way to find an equivalent fuel efficiency. Tesla Motors reports an energy cost of approximately US 1.4¢ per mile<ref name="Tesla home page Feb 2008" /> when using [[Pacific Gas and Electric Company|PG&E's]] E-9A rate plan (off-peak night-time incentive charging) cost of 5.294¢ per kWh<ref name="PG&E E-9 rate">{{cite web|url=http://www.pge.com/tariffs/tm2/pdf/ELEC_SCHEDS_E-9.pdf|title=ELECTRIC SCHEDULE E-9 EXPERIMENTAL RESIDENTIAL TIME-OF-USE SERVICE FOR LOW EMISSION VEHICLE CUSTOMERS|date=2011-06-11|accessdate=2011-10-11|author=Brian K. Cherry, PG&E Vice President Regulation and Rates|quote=Resolution No. 2C10, Advice Letter No: 3856-E, Decision No. 11-05-047, Issued by Brian K. Cherry Vice President Regulation and Rates, Date Filed June 8, 2011, Effective June 20, 2011}}</ref> which is available in the two U.S. states covered by PG&E.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/environment/pge/cleanair/electricdrivevehicles/charging/index.shtml |title=Charging |publisher=Pge.com |date=2008-12-15 |accessdate=2011-04-18}}</ref> Comparison with a gasoline price of US$4.00/ U.S. gallon, for instance, results in an equivalent of 270 mpg<sub>ge</sub> using the E-9 rate or 123 mpg<sub>ge</sub> using the USA average residential electricity price of 11.6¢ per kWh.<ref name="US Energy Information Agency">{{cite web|url=http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=electricity_factors_affecting_prices|date=2011-07-28|accessdate=2011-10-11|title=Prices and Factors Affecting Prices}}</ref> Including the battery replacement cost at its warranty limit, the cost per mile increases and the equivalent miles per gallon are reduced. The [[time value of money]], improving battery technology, and a 6–8% annual reduction in battery cost all lower the net present costs of battery replacement. These factors allow Tesla Motors to sell customers a replacement battery pack for US$12,000, to be installed after the 7-year/{{convert|70000|mi|km}} lifespan of the original pack, resulting in a net battery cost of 17.1¢/mile.<ref name="Tesla Battery Replacement Agreement">{{cite web | url=http://webarchive.teslamotors.com/display_data.php?data_name=Battery_Replacement | title=Tesla Motors, Inc. Battery Replacement Agreement | publisher=Tesla Motors, Inc. | date=2009-04-03 | accessdate=October 14, 2011 | author=Davis, Craig}}</ref><ref name="">{{cite web | url=http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/1010_tesla_open_house/viewall.html | title=Tesla's Open House So This is What a Silicon Valley Car Maker Looks Like | publisher=Motor Trend | date=2010-10-14 | accessdate=October 14, 2011 | author=Reynolds, Kim | quote=(By the way, these cells are also now being created specifically for EVs, leaving their laptop origins behind; they're also seeing year-over-year price drops of 6–8 percent)}}</ref> Adding this to the electricity costs of 1.4¢/mile<ref name="Tesla home page Feb 2008" /> above results in an overall cost equivalence of $4/gal ÷ 18.5¢/mile = 21.5 mpg<sub>ge</sub>,<ref name="TED Talk Shai Agassi">{{cite av media | url=http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/shai_agassi_on_electric_cars.html#239000 | title=Shai Agassi's bold plan for electric cars | accessdate=2011-02-22| publisher=TED Talks |time=0:04:14|quote=[The battery] consumes itself step after step after step. It has 2,000 life cycles these days. And so it's sort of a mini [oil] well. We were asked in the past when we bought an electric car to pay for the entire [oil] well, for the life of the [electric] car.}}</ref> which can be compared to conventional car ratings after transmission, engine, and other drivetrain replacement costs are factored into the mpg ratings for those cars.
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| ===Environmental impact===
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| It has been pointed out that "Electric cars don't solve the automobile's environmental problems".<ref>Ozzie Zehner, Photo Illustration by Smalldog Imageworks (2013-07) "Unclean at Any Speed", ''IEEE Spectrum'', pp. 40–45 and cover.</ref> This has reduced direct relevance to the Tesla Roadster, because its light weight reduces the amount of electricity consumed and of materials used. However due to the majority of United States still deriving electrical power from fossil fuel sources, the exact environmental impact is unclear{{Citation needed|date=December 2013}}.
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| == Reviews ==
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| Tesla Roadster reviews can be grouped in two main categories: older reviews of "validation prototypes" (2006–2008), before Tesla began serial production and customer deliveries, and reviews on cars in serial production (2008–2010).
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| The global online auto review site Autoguide.com tested Tesla's fourth-generation car in October 2010. Autoguide editor Derek Kreindler said "The Tesla Roadster 2.5 S is a massively impressive vehicle, more spacecraft than sports car. Theories like global warming, peak oil and rising oil prices should no longer bring heart palpitations to car fans. The Tesla shows just how good zero-emissions “green” technology can be. Quite frankly, getting into a normal car at the end of the test drive was a major letdown. The whirr of the engine, the shove in the backside and the little roadster that seems to pivot around you is replaced by a grunting, belching, feedback-free driving experience". He continues on that "but for a $100,000 car, it could use some work" complaining of purposefully cheap work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/tesla/2011-tesla-roadster-25-s-review-1444.html |title=2011 Tesla Roadster 2.5 S Review: Car Reviews |publisher=Autoguide.com |date=2010-10-12 |accessdate=2011-04-18}}</ref>
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| In the March 2010 print edition of British enthusiast magazine EVO (p. 120), editor Richard Meaden was the first to review the all-new right-hand-drive version of the Roadster. He said the car had "serious, instantaneous muscle". "With so much torque from literally no revs the acceleration punch is wholly alien. Away from traffic lights you'd murder anything, be it a 911 Turbo, GT-R or 599, simply because while they have to mess about with balancing revs and clutch, or fiddle with launch controls and invalid warranties, all you have to do is floor the throttle and wave goodbye".
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| In December 2009, Wall Street Journal editor Joseph White conducted an extended test-drive and determined that "you can have enormous fun within the legal speed limit as you whoosh around unsuspecting Camry drivers, zapping from 40 to 60 miles per hour in two seconds while the startled victims eat your electric dust". White, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, praised the car's environmental efficiency but said consumer demand reflected not the environmental attributes of the car but its performance. "The Tesla turns the frugal environmentalist aesthetic on its head. Sure, it doesn't burn petroleum, and if plugged into a wind turbine or a nuclear plant, it would be a very low-carbon machine. But anyone who buys one will get the most satisfaction from smoking someone's doors off. The Tesla's message is that "green" technology can appeal to the id, not just the superego".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704201404574589900770542192.html | work=The Wall Street Journal | title=The Surge in Electric Cars | date=2009-12-16 | first=Joseph B. | last=White}}</ref>
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| In December 2009, MotorTrend was the first to independently confirm the Roadster Sport's reported 0 to 60 mph time of 3.7 seconds. (MotorTrend recorded 0 to 60 mph of 3.70 seconds; it recorded a quarter-mile test at 12.6 sec @ 102.6 mph.) Engineering Editor Kim Reynolds called the acceleration "breathtaking" and said the car confirms "Tesla as an actual car company. ...Tesla is the first maker to crack the EV legitimacy barrier in a century".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/112_0912_2010_tesla_roadster_sport_test/specs.html#ixzz0b8yiYKO0 |title=2010 Tesla Roadster Sport Specs |publisher=Motor Trend |date= |accessdate=2010-10-09}}</ref>
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| In November 2009, Automobile Magazine West Coast editor Jason Cammisa spent a week driving a production Tesla Roadster.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.automobilemag.com/green/reviews/0911_2009_tesla_roadster_electric_car/index.html |title=2009 Electric Tesla Roadster – Electric Convertible Sport Coupe – Automobile Magazine |publisher=Automobilemag.com |date= |accessdate=2010-10-09}}</ref> Cammisa was immediately impressed with the acceleration, saying the car "explodes off the line, pulling like a small jet plane. ... It's like driving a Lamborghini with a big V-12 revved over 6000 rpm at all times, waiting to pounce—without the noise, vibration, or misdemeanor arrest for disturbing the peace". He also took the car to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California, and praised the car for its robustness, saying the Roadster:
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| <blockquote>
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| "wins the Coolest Car I've Ever Driven award. Why? Despite the flat-out sprints, the drag racing, the donuts, the top-speed runs, and dicing through traffic like there's a jet pack strapped to the trunk, Pacific Gas and Electric—which generated power for the Tesla—released into the atmosphere the same amount of carbon dioxide as would a gasoline-powered car getting 99 mpg. And the Roadster didn't break. It didn't smoke, lock up, freeze, or experience [[Flux capacitor|flux-capacitor]] failure. Over the past ten decades, no company has been able to reinvent the car—not General Motors with the EV1, not Toyota with the Prius. And now, a bunch of dudes from Silicon Valley have created an electric car that really works—as both an environmental fix and a speed fix".
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| </blockquote>
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| In 2009 the Tesla Roadster was one of the Scandinavian Sports Car of the Year participants, which is comparison made by Nordic car magazines [[Tekniikan Maailma]] (Finland), [[Teknikens Värld]] (Sweden) and [[Bil Magasinet]] (Denmark), they praised the torque of the car and a track car structure, negative things were e.g. short battery life. The car had some problems either the batteries or engine was overheating and they could not drive a full track lap at all in dry track conditions.<ref name="tekniikanmaailma.fi">{{cite web|url=http://tekniikanmaailma.fi/autot/vertailut/tm-vertailu-scandinavian-sports-car-of-the-year-2009|title=Scandinavian Sports Car of the Year 2009|accessdate=2011-03-30|year=2009|work=tekniikanmaailma.fi}} {{Fi icon}}</ref>
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| In May 2009, Car and Driver technical editor Aaron Robinson wrote a review based on the first extended test-drive of a production Tesla Roadster. Robinson had the car for nearly a week at his home. He complained of "design anomalies, daily annoyances, absurd ergonomics, and ridiculous economics " and stated he never got to see if the car could go 240 miles on a single charge because of the torturous seating forced him to stop driving the car. He also complained of Tesla increasing the car prices on those who had already made deposits and charging extra for previously free necessary components.<ref>[http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/09q2/2009_tesla_roadster-road_test 2009 Tesla Roadster – Road Test], ''Car and Driver'', May 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2009.</ref>
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| In February 2009, automotive critic Dan Neil of the Los Angeles Times called the production Tesla Roadster "a superb piece of machinery: stiff, well sorted, highly focused, dead-sexy and eerily quick". Neil said he had the car for 24 hours but "caned it like the Taliban caned Gillette salesmen and it never even blinked".<ref>Neil, Dan. [http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/06/business/fi-neil6 Tesla Roadster packs power in a flash of electricity], ''Los Angeles Times'', February 6, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2009.</ref>
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| In February 2009, ''[[Road and Track]]'' tested another production vehicle and conducted the first independently verified metered testing of the Roadster. Engineering editor Dennis Simanitis said the testing confirmed what he called "extravagant claims", that the Roadster had a 4.0 s {{convert|0|to|60|mph|abbr=on}} acceleration and a {{convert|200|mi|km|sing=on}} range. They said the Roadster felt like "an over-ballasted [[Lotus Elise]]", but the weight was well-distributed, so the car remained responsive. "Fit and finish of our Tesla were exemplary", which ''Road and Track'' thought fit the target market. Overall, they considered it a "delight" to drive.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=10&article_id=7297&page_number=2 | title=World Exclusive: First Complete Test of the 2009 Tesla Roadster | publisher=Road and Track | accessdate=2008-12-21 | date=February 2009}}</ref> Testing a pre-production car in early 2008, ''Road and Track'' said "The Tesla feels composed and competent at speed with great turn-in and transitioning response", though they recommended against it as a "primary grocery-getter".<ref name="rt">{{ cite news | url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=6393 | title=First Drive: 2008 Tesla Roadster | publisher=Road and Track | date=March 2008 | accessdate=2008-03-21 }}</ref>
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| In January 2009, automotive critic Warren Brown of the Washington Post called the production Roadster "a head-turner, jaw-dropper. It is sexy as all get-out". He described the feeling behind the wheel as, "Wheeeeeee! Drive a Tesla, even if you have to fly to Tesla's Menlo Park, Calif., headquarters, to get your hands on one for a day. ... If this is the future of the automobile, I want it".<ref>Brown, Warren. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/23/AR2009012301591.html A Jaw-Dropping Ride, Batteries Included], ''Washington Post'', January 25, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2009.</ref>
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| In a review of a Roadster prototype before the cars were in serial production, ''[[Motor Trend]]'' gave a generally favorable review in March 2008, stating that, it was "undeniably, unbelievably efficient" and would be "profoundly humbling to just about any rumbling Ferrari or Porsche that makes the mistake of pulling up next to a silent, 105 mpg Tesla Roadster at a stoplight".; however, they detected a "nasty drive-train buck" during the test drive of an early Roadster with the older, two-speed transmission.<ref name="mt">{{ cite news | url=http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/112_0803_2008_tesla_roadster/index.html | title=First Drive: 2008 Tesla Roadster | publisher=Motor Trend | accessdate=2008-03-21 }}</ref>
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| In a July 8, 2007, review of a prototype Roadster, [[Jay Leno]] wrote, "If you like sports cars and you want to be green, this is the only way to go. The Tesla is a car that you can live with, drive and enjoy as a sports car. I had a brief drive in the car and it was quite impressive. This is an electric car that is fun to drive".<ref name="Times Online UK">{{ cite journal | url=http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/new_car_reviews/article2036260.ece?OTC-HPtoppuff&ATTR=tesla | title=Tesla Roadster – The most fun you can have without fuel | author=Jay Leno | publisher=The Sunday Times | date=2007-07-08 | location=London | postscript=<!--None--> }}</ref>
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| In a November 27, 2006, review of a prototype Roadster in ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'', Paul Boutin wrote, "A week ago, I went for a spin in the fastest, most fun car I've ever ridden in—and that includes the Aston Martin I tried to buy once. I was so excited, in fact, that I decided to take a few days to calm down before writing about it. Well, my waiting period is over, I'm thinking rationally, and I'm still unbelievably stoked about the Tesla".<ref name="Slate">{{cite web | url=http://www.slate.com/id/2154425/ | title=It's Electric! The Tesla Roadster—a hotshot sports car that runs on batteries. | author=Paul Boutin | publisher=www.Slate.com | date=2006-11-27 }}</ref>
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| === ''Top Gear'' controversy ===
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| In the autumn of 2008, ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'s'' [[Jeremy Clarkson]] reviewed two production Roadsters with the v1.5 transmission and described the driving experience with the exclamations "God almighty! Wave goodbye to the world of dial-up, and say hello to the world of broadband motoring!" and "This car is biblically quick!" when comparing the acceleration versus a [[Lotus Elise]]. Clarkson also noted, however, that the handling of the car was not as sharp as that of the Lotus Elise: "through the corners things are less rosy".<ref name=Clarkson2009>Clarkson, Jeremy. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article5483422.ece Tesla Roadster], "The Sunday Times", January 11, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2009.</ref> [[The Stig]] recorded a time of 1:27.2 on a moist track, faster than a [[Nissan 370Z]] on a dry track but slower than a [[Porsche 911]] C2S also on a damp track, and also slower than the [[Lotus Exige]], Exige S and Evora.<ref>[http://www.fastestlaps.com/track1.html, Top Gear Track, Great Britain]. "FastestLaps". Retrieved August 29, 2009.</ref> The segment also claimed that the car's batteries would run flat after {{convert|55|mi|km}} of heavy use on a track<ref>http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/02/tesla-vs-top-gear/</ref> and showed the car being pushed off the track.<ref>http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/mar/05/top-gear-tesla-jeremy-clarkson</ref>
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| [[Tesla Motors]]' spokesperson responded with statements in blogs and to mainstream news organizations that the cars provided to Top Gear never had less than 20% charge and never experienced brake failure.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wired.com/autopia/2008/12/tesla-cries-fou/ |title=Tesla Cries Foul On Top Gear's Test | Autopia |publisher=Wired.com |date=2008-12-16 |accessdate=2009-08-30 |first=Chuck |last=Squatriglia}}</ref> In addition, neither car provided to Top Gear needed to be pushed off the track at any point.<ref>{{cite web|date= January 15, 2009 |url=http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2008/12/tesla-roadster-reviewed-by-jeremy-clarkson-didnt-run-out-of-juice-as-he-claimed.html |title="Tesla Roadster Reviewed by Jeremy Clarkson Didn't Run Out of Juice as He Claimed" Green Car Advisor |publisher=Blogs.edmunds.com |accessdate=2009-08-30}}</ref> Finally, although Clarkson showed a limp windmill and complained that it would take countless hours to refuel the car using such a source of electricity, the car can be charged from a 240 V outlet in as little as 3.5 hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.egmcartech.com/2008/12/16/tesla-clears-up-some-of-clarksons-calims-during-tesla-roadster-test-drive/ |title=Tesla clears up some of Clarkson's claims during Tesla Roadster test drive |publisher=egmCarTech |date=2008-12-16 |accessdate=2009-05-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/12/tesla-cries-fou.html |title=Tesla Cries Foul On Top Gear's Test | Autopia |publisher=Blog.wired.com |date=2008-12-16 |accessdate=2009-05-05 |first=Chuck |last=Squatriglia}}</ref> After numerous blogs and several large news organizations began following the controversy,<ref>{{cite news|last=Chang |first=Richard S. |url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/was-top-gears-test-of-tesla-roadster-misleading/ |title=Was 'Top Gear' Test of the Tesla Misleading? |date=2008-12-30 |accessdate=2009-08-30 | work=The New York Times}}</ref> the BBC issued a statement saying "the tested Tesla was filmed being pushed into the shed in order to show what would happen if the Roadster had run out of charge. Top Gear stands by the findings in this film and is content that it offers a fair representation of the Tesla's performance on the day it was tested", without addressing the other alleged misrepresentations that Tesla highlighted to the media.<ref>{{cite web|last=Taylor |first=Alun |url=http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/12/22/bbc_top_gear_tesla/ |title=BBC: Top Gear Tesla didn't run out of juice • Register Hardware |publisher=Reghardware.co.uk |date=2008-12-22 |accessdate=2009-05-05}}</ref> After several weeks of increasing pressure and inquiries from the BBC, Clarkson wrote a blog for The Times, acknowledging that "Inevitably, the film we had shot was a bit of a mess. There was a handful of shots of a silver car. Some of a grey car". "But as a device for moving you and your things around, it is about as much use as a bag of muddy spinach".<ref name=Clarkson2009/> In the months that followed Clarkson's acknowledgment, the original episode—including the misstatements—reran on BBC America and elsewhere without any editing, though the BBC is still looking into ''Top Gear''{{'}}s journalism standards, according to British media reports.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1101836/Jeremy-Clarkson-sparks-new-BBC-row-Top-Gear-electric-supercar-test-failure.html Jeremy Clarkson sparks new BBC row over Top Gear electric supercar test 'failure', ''Daily Mail'', December 26, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2009]</ref>
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| On March 29, 2011, Tesla sued the programme over [[Defamation|libel]] and [[malicious falsehood]], while simultaneously launching the website TeslaVsTopGear.com. The current position of Tesla is found on their web page.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/teslavstopgear|title= tesla vs Top Gear |publisher=www.teslamotors.com |date=2013-02-11 |accessdate=2013-02-11}}</ref> In a blogpost, producer [[Andy Wilman]] has referred to Tesla's allegations as a "crusade" and argued the truth value of Tesla's statements.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilman |first=Andy |url=http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2011/04/02/tesla-vs-top-gear-andy-wilman-on-our-current-legal-action/ |title=Transmission – BBC Top Gear Tesla vs Top Gear: Andy Wilman on our current legal action « |publisher=Transmission.blogs.topgear.com |date=2011-04-02 |accessdate=2011-04-18}}</ref>
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| On October 19, 2011, the High Court in London rejected Tesla's libel claim.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper= The Independent | date= October 21, 2011 | title = Tesla losing Top Gear court challenge | url= http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/tesla-losing-top-gear-court-challenge-1.1162112 | accessdate = October 21, 2011}}</ref> Tesla appealed High Court's decision to the Court of Appeals, where a 3-judge panel of Lords Justice upheld the lower court's decision, and ordered Tesla to pay the BBC's legal costs of £100,000.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper= The Guardian | date= May 5, 2013 | title = Top Gear row: Tesla loses appeal over Jeremy Clarkson review | url= http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/mar/05/top-gear-tesla-jeremy-clarkson | accessdate = November 4, 2013}}</ref>
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| == Awards ==
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| * [[INDEX: Award]] 2007<ref name="INDEX Awared">{{cite web | url=http://www.indexaward.dk/2007/default.asp?id=709&Article=847&Folder=847 | title=INDEX Award 2007 }}</ref>
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| * ''[[BusinessWeek]]'': Best Product Design of 2007, Ecodesign<ref name="BusinessWeek">{{cite web | url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_31/b4044401.htm | title=Best Product Design of 2007, Ecodesign }}</ref>
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| * ''[[Forbes]]'': Best Cars 2006: New car that best lived up to the Hype<ref name="Forbes Best Cars">{{cite news | url=http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2006/12/08/best-cars-2006-forbeslife-cx_dl_1211bestcars.html | title=Best Cars 2006: New car that best lived up to the Hype | deadurl=yes
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| }} {{Dead link|date=May 2011|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>
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| * ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'': Best Inventions 2008 – Transportation Invention<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1852747_1854195_1854114,00.html |title=TIME Best Inventions 2008 |publisher=Time.com |date= 2008-10-29|accessdate=2009-06-09}}</ref>
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| * ''Time'': Best Inventions 2006 – Transportation Invention<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/2006/techguide/bestinventions/ |title=TIME Best Inventions 2006 |publisher=Time.com |date= |accessdate=2009-06-09}}</ref>
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| * ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'': Breakthrough Awards 2006<ref>{{cite web | last = Ward | first = Logan | title = BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS 2006: Innovators Martin Eberhard and Team | publisher = [[Popular Mechanics]] |date=November 2006 | url = http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/research/4212847.html | accessdate = 2008-01-23}}</ref>
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| * [[Global Green USA]]: Product/Industrial Design<ref>{{cite press release | title = Tesla Motors Receives 'Environmental Leadership' Award from Global Green USA | publisher = [[Tesla Motors]] | date = 17 October 2006 | url = http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=190 | accessdate = 2008-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Awards | publisher = [[Global Green USA]] | url = http://www.globalgreen.org/awards/secure_sustainable.html | accessdate = 2008-01-23}}</ref>
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| * ''[[CarDomain]]'': People's Choice: Most Exciting 2007 Car Launch<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.cardomain.com/blog/2006/11/peoples_choice.html |title=CarDomain Car Blog: People's Choice! |publisher=Blog.cardomain.com |date= |accessdate=2009-06-09}}</ref>
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| *2009 Best Green Exotic, ''[[duPont|duPont REGISTRY]]''<ref name="DuPontAward">{{cite web |url=http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/dupont-registrys-11-best-of-cars-set-horsepower-price-record/ |title=duPont Registry's 11 "Best of" cars set horsepower, price records |accessdate=2008-03-20 |last=Ramsey |first=Jonathon |date=2008-10-09 |work=[[Autoblog.com|Autoblog]] |publisher=[[Weblogs, Inc.]] }}</ref>
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| == See also ==
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| * [[Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles]]
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| * [[List of fastest cars by acceleration]]
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| * [[List of electric cars currently available]]
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| * [[List of modern production plug-in electric vehicles]]
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| * [[List of production battery electric vehicles]]
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| * [[Tesla Model S]]
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| * [[Tesla Model X]]
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| * [[Tesla Motors]]
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| == Notes ==
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| {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
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| == References ==
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| {{refbegin}}
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| * {{cite web | title = Performance Specs – 2008 Model Year | url = http://www.teslamotors.com/performance/perf_specs.php }}
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| * {{cite web | title = The Tesla Roadster Battery System | url = http://www.teslamotors.com/display_data/TeslaRoadsterBatterySystem.pdf |format=PDF}}
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| * [http://www.teslamotors.com/learn_more/white_papers.php white papers] and [http://www.teslamotors.com/display_data/bconverted.swf presentation]
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| * [http://www.teslamotors.com/roadster/specs]
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| {{refend}}
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| | |
| == External links ==
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| {{Commons category}}
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| * [http://teslamotors.com/ Tesla Motors] website
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| * [http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/ Tesla Motors Club] website
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| * [http://www.teslamotors.com/media/media_coverage.php?js_enabled=1 Tesla Motors' list of media articles written about their product]
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| * [http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.08/tesla.html Wired News: "Batteries Included"]: First public review of the car.
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| * [http://www.wired.com/reviews/product/pr_tesla_sport Tesla Sport Roadster]: Product Review by ''Wired''
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| * [http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/112_0803_2008_tesla_roadster/index.html Motor Trend]: First Drive of 2008 Tesla Roadster
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| * [http://www.renewamericaroadtrip.com/ Renew America Roadtrip]: America's First Green, Charity Drive Cross-Country in an all electric production sportscar website
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| * [http://www.futurecars.com/reviews/tesla-roadster.html Tesla Review by FutureCars.com]
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| * [http://www.vimeo.com/8777058 Tesla Owner First Drive in Chicago]
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| * [http://www.howitworksdaily.com/transport/the-tesla-roadster/ How It Works]: The Tesla Roadster
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| * [http://design-engine.com/industry-news/electrification-2-0-a-second-act-for-tesla Electrification 2.0] Tesla Model S
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| * [http://neomam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/fastest-electric-cars-1_thumb.jpg Tesla Roadster – Fastest Electric Vehicle] via [http://www.carfinance247.co.uk http://www.carfinance247.co.uk]
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| {{Tesla Motors}}
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| [[Category:2010s automobiles]]
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| [[Category:Battery electric cars]]
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| [[Category:Electric sports cars]]
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| [[Category:First automobile made by manufacturer]]
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| [[Category:Mid-engined vehicles]]
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| [[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
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| [[Category:Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
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| [[Category:Roadsters]]
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| [[Category:Tesla Motors vehicles|Roadster]]
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| [[Category:Vehicles introduced in 2007]]
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