Tesla is the most popular brand when it comes to electric vehicles, but did you know that the Roadster model was the first released on the market? Tesla emerged in 2003, out of the desire to provide affordable EV to those with a conscience toward the environment.
Elon Musk joined Tesla in 2004 and, in 2006, a Tesla Roadster prototype was ready. It was unveiled at the San Francisco International Auto Show, on the 19th of July. Taking this prototype and turning it into a car suitable for everyday driving was a difficult venture for Tesla. As Elon Musk admits, the company
“ended up changing most of the damn car”
to make it reliable on the roads and accessible to as many as possible. After two years of development and testing, the production model of the first Tesla Roadster was launched on the market in 2008. This model was produced until 2012, with up to 2,500 sold units.
When it entered the market, the Tesla Roadster features a price tag of $80,000. But, until the last year of production, upgrades were made and better models were presented to the public. Thus, the latest upgraded version sold for $150,000.
Out of all the produced Roadsters, a good number still roam the roads and Tesla announced special services for their owners. In an attempt to reconnect with Roadster owners, the company will provide maintenance support and bespoke customer service to anyone owning a Tesla Roadster. After all, Tesla owes most of its current success to this particular EV model.
