Tesla Roadster (first generation)

The Tesla Roadster (first generation) was an all-electric sports car produced by Tesla Motors (now Tesla, Inc.) from 2008 to 2012. It was the first production vehicle from Tesla, and the first highway-legal all-electric car to use lithium-ion battery cells.

Based on the Lotus Elise chassis, the Roadster featured a rear-wheel drive configuration and a single-speed transmission. Its powertrain consisted of an electric motor and a battery pack consisting of thousands of lithium-ion cells. The battery pack was located behind the seats.

The Roadster was initially offered with a claimed range of approximately 244 miles (393 km) on a single charge. Later models, known as Roadster 2.5, included various improvements in efficiency and performance.

The production of the Roadster was limited, with approximately 2,450 units built and sold worldwide. It played a significant role in demonstrating the viability of electric vehicles and helped pave the way for Tesla's later models, such as the Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y. The Roadster is often credited with accelerating the acceptance and development of electric vehicle technology.

Key features included:

• All-electric powertrain
• Lithium-ion battery pack
• Rear-wheel drive
• Lotus Elise-derived chassis
• Relatively long driving range for its time
• Distinctive sports car styling

The Tesla Roadster (first generation) is considered a landmark vehicle in the history of electric cars, showcasing the potential of electric vehicles to deliver performance and range comparable to gasoline-powered vehicles. It also faced challenges related to battery technology and production costs at the time.