Tesla Roadster (first generation)

For Tesla's second sports car or its second generation, see Tesla Roadster (second generation).

Tesla Roadster
Tesla Roadster Sport 2.5
Overview
ManufacturerTesla Motors
Also calledDarkStar (code name)[1]
Production2008–2012
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassTwo-seater[2]/sports car (S)[3][4]
Body style2-door roadster
LayoutRear mid-motor, rear-wheel drive
Related
Powertrain
Electric motor3-phase 4-pole AC induction motor[5]
  • 1.5: 248 hp (185 kW), 200 lb⋅ft (270 N⋅m)
  • 2.0, 2.5: 288 hp (215 kW), 280 lb⋅ft (380 N⋅m)
  • 2.5 Sport: 288 hp (215 kW), 295 lb⋅ft (400 N⋅m)
Transmission1-speed BorgWarner (8.27:1 ratio)
Battery53 kWh lithium-ion
Electric range244 mi (393 km) (EPA)
Plug-in charging16.8 kW 110–240 V onboard charger for 1Φ 70 A[6] using proprietary connector
Dimensions
Wheelbase92.6 in (2,352 mm)
Length155.4 in (3,946 mm)
Width73.7 in (1,873 mm)
Height44.4 in (1,127 mm)
Curb weight2,877 lb (1,305 kg)
Chronology
SuccessorTesla Roadster (second generation)

The Tesla Roadster is a battery electric sports car, based on the Lotus Elise chassis, produced by Tesla Motors (now Tesla, Inc.) from 2008 to 2012. The Roadster was the first highway legal, serial production, all-electric car to use lithium-ion battery cells, and the first production all-electric car to travel more than 244 miles (393 km) per charge.[7] It is also the first production car to be launched into deep space, carried by a Falcon Heavy rocket in a test flight on February 6, 2018.

Tesla sold about 2,450 Roadsters in over 30 countries,[8][9][10] and most of the last Roadsters were sold in Europe and Asia during the fourth quarter of 2012.[11] Tesla produced right-hand-drive Roadsters from early 2010.[12] The Roadster qualified for government incentives in several nations.[13][14]

According to the U.S. EPA, the Roadster can travel 244 miles (393 km) on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery pack.[15] The vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in 3.7 or 3.9 seconds depending on the model. It has a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h). The Roadster's efficiency, as of September 2008, was reported as 120 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (28 kW⋅h/100 mi) (2.0 L/100 km). It uses 21.7 kWh/100 mi (135 Wh/km) battery-to-wheel, and has an efficiency of 88% on average.[16]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Tesla Motors 47 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Code of Federal Regulations Sec. 600.315 - 82 Classes of comparable automobiles" (PDF). U.S. Government Publishing Office. July 1, 2011. p. 967. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fueleconomy2011List was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference SETIS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference TeslaSpecs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "High Power Wall Connector". Tesla Motors. Archived from the original on August 21, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  7. ^ Shahan, Zachary (April 26, 2015). "Electric Car Evolution". Clean Technica. Retrieved September 8, 2016. 2008: The Tesla Roadster becomes the first production electric vehicle to use lithium-ion battery cells as well as the first production electric vehicle to have a range of over 200 miles on a single charge.
  8. ^ "SEC Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Ended Dec 31, 2012, Commission File Number: 001-34756, Tesla Motors, Inc". SEC. February 6, 2016. Archived from the original on May 16, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2014. As of December 31, 2012, we had delivered approximately 2,450 Tesla Roadsters to customers in over 30 countries.
  9. ^ Woody, Todd (July 25, 2012). "Tesla Hits Accelerator Despite Q2 Revenue Miss". Forbes. Retrieved July 25, 2012. More than 2,350 units sold through June 2012.
  10. ^ "Tesla Q3 report: $50M revenues, $111M GAAP net loss, 253 Model S delivered in Q3". Green Car Congress. November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012. Sales during the 3Q 2012: 68 Roadsters and 253 Model S.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Tesla4Q2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ "Tesla will build right-hand-drive Roadsters for the UK". Wired.co.uk. June 25, 2009. Archived from the original on June 26, 2009. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
  13. ^ "Growing Number of EU Countries Levying CO2 Taxes on Cars and Incentivizing Plug-ins". Green Car Congress. April 21, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  14. ^ Vaughan, Adam (February 25, 2010). "Electric vehicle grants scheme backfires as taxpayers subsidise £87,000 sports cars". The Guardian. London. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference Tesla 2008-09-09 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ "Roadster Innovations: Motor". Tesla Motors. Retrieved February 25, 2011. The Roadster achieves an overall driving efficiency of 88%, about three times the efficiency of a conventional car.