Innovation, excellence and futuristic initiatives have made Tesla a force to be reckoned with in the automobile industry. Not many automobile brands have achieved the status Tesla holds. Throughout its history, Tesla has introduced a plethora of vehicles – many of which hold an esteemed status in the industry. The unprecedented success, however, wasn’t earned overnight. Years of introducing initiatives incorporating cutting-edge technology in the vehicles have made Tesla what it is today. We will take a trip to the past to learn about Tesla car history and see the brand’s path to greatness.
Tesla Car History Timeline
The Tesla car history is full of events shaping the future of the brand. Additionally, the many interesting Tesla car facts show how the brand’s vehicles tend to stand out with all the offerings. Although a bit shorter than its counterparts, the Tesla car history is enthralling nevertheless.
Let’s dive into the details to explore the history of Tesla cars and see the brand’s evolution over the years.
2003 – TESLA IS FOUNDED
Tesla was founded in 2003 in San Carlos, California by two engineers – Marc Tarpenning and Martin Eberhard. The company name ‘Tesla’ was a tribute to the Serbian-American scientist and inventor ‘Nikola Tesla’. Initially, the company was called ‘Tesla Motors’. However, the name was rebranded to ‘Tesla’ in 2017.
The company aimed to build all-electric vehicles contributing to the environment. Additionally, the vehicles with the Tesla logo were meant to offer remarkable range without compromising on quality or comfort in any way.
2004 – IN COMES ELON MUSK
A major event in Tesla car history was the arrival of Elon Musk. The Tesla brand and Elon Musk’s name go hand in hand nowadays. However, it wasn’t until 2004 that Musk joined the company.
Initially, Elon Musk invested a huge amount of capital in the company. Later on, the contribution and interest saw Elon Musk get a place on the company’s Board of Directors as the Chairman.
2006 – THE ROADSTER PROTOTYPE WAS REVEALED
In 2006, Tesla presented the prototype of the Roadster – one of Tesla’s iconic models to date. The evolution of car batteries saw the Roadster get a lithium-ion battery pack. Additionally, the prototype came with a remarkable range of about 402 kilometres. The prototype garnered huge attention and some notable names secured a spot on the pre-booking list.
2008 – ROADSTER HITS THE ROAD
The first Roadster was available in February 2008. The Roadster production continued to grow and it was a major event in Tesla Car History. The use of lithium-ion batteries and 393 kilometres were the highlights of the vehicle.
However, the vehicle came with a staggering price tag. Also, the Roadster required 24 hours for a full charge through a standard wall charger. In the same year, Elon Musk was promoted to the CEO’s position at Tesla.
2011 – MODEL S EMERGES ON THE SCENE
Extending the Tesla lineup, the Model S prototype was revealed in 2011. The prototype was however near production-ready at the time of revelation. The luxury sedan was said to deliver a remarkable range of about 515 kilometres.
Moreover, it could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in about 4.5 seconds. Also, a 2021 variant of the iconic model, Model S Plaid would even go on to become one of the fastest accelerating production cars in the world.
2012 – TESLA HAS ITS CHARGING STATIONS
The Tesla car origin story witnessed a major turning point when the brand launched the Tesla Charging Stations. These addressed the issue of slow charging to a greater extent. Furthermore, the customers of the destinations were able to charge their vehicles for free through the charging stations.
Eventually, the charging stations network grew around the world. Currently, there are many many Tesla charging stations in the UAE and globally with the number crossing the 50,000 mark.
2012 – TESLA REVEALS THE FIRST SUV – MODEL X
The introduction of the brand’s first SUV, the Model X was another significant milestone in Tesla car history. The Model X was Tesla’s most luxurious vehicle at that time. The luxury SUV came with a seating capacity of and an impressive range of about 547 kilometres.
Moreover, the Model X had falcon-wing doors – one of the most unique car door designs available out there. However, the Model X didn’t roll in production until 2015.
2014 – TESLA AUTOPILOT IS LAUNCHED
The Tesla car company’s history reached a major milestone with the introduction of the Tesla Autopilot feature. Moreover, the artificial intelligence-backed driver assistance program was a first-of-its-kind feature.
The Tesla Autopilot was readily available in later Tesla models. Additionally, the brand introduced cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radars to support the advanced driving assistance feature. The Autopilot feature wasn’t made available to customers until 2015.
Furthermore, an advanced version of the Autopilot feature was released in 2016 – the Autopilot 8.0. The upgraded version came with autosteer response, 3D signal processing and enhanced visual feedback.
2017 – THE LAUNCH OF MODEL 3
In 2017, Tesla launched the much-awaited Model 3. The electric sedan was able to deliver about 346 kilometres on a single charge. Moreover, it can reach from 0 to 100 km/h in under 6 seconds. In the same year, the company’s name was rebranded to Tesla, Inc. The new name signified that the brand’s products were beyond motors.
2017 – TESLA SEMI REVEALED AND RETURN OF THE ROADSTER
The same year witnessed Tesla’s entry into the heavy vehicle market. The Tesla semi truck was revealed as a first-of-its-kind vehicle in the heavy vehicle sector. The Semi came with self-driving capabilities and was all-electric like all Tesla vehicles.
2017 also saw the return of the Roadster. The improved version was able to breach the 100 km/h mark in an astonishing 1.9 seconds.
2019 – UNVEILING OF MODEL Y AND THE CYBERTRUCK
2 years after presenting the Tesla Semi, the Tesla car history saw another major advancement with the unveiling of the Cybertruck. The advanced version of the truck stood out with all its offerings and distinct angular features. Moreover, the Tesla Cybertruck was said to deliver a range of about 804 kilometres on a single charge.
In the same year, Tesla unveiled the Model Y – a midsize SUV. The seven-seater SUV boasted a range of about 482 kilometres. Tesla began the delivery of Model Y in 2020.
FAQs
When Did Tesla First Car Come Out?
The first Tesla car was the Roadster which came out in 2008. After that several Tesla vehicles were released in the coming years. For instance, Model S, Model X and Model 3 to name a few.
Who Started Tesla Cars?
Tesla Motors was started by two engineers Marc Tarpenning and Martin Eberhard. However, Elon Musk became the CEO in 2008. The company’s name was also changed to Tesla, Inc. in 2017.
There you have it, a comprehensive account of the Tesla car history. The luxury brand has come a long way and introduced some icons of the industry. Tesla’s advancements continue to kick in and aren’t just limited to motors. For instance, the introduction of Tesla Destination Chargers is another landmark achievement by the brand.
With strong adherence to eco-friendly mobility and the incorporation of cutting-edge technology, the brand can introduce more advanced vehicles. Check out the Tesla 2023 models to see what the luxury brand has in store for its customers this year.
Moreover, go through these popular used Tesla models to discover the most famous models.
If you are a fan of the Tesla brand, browse through these used Tesla models for sale in the UAE and get your hands on any of the iconic models.
Stay connected to dubizzle’s auto blog to learn the Tesla car history timeline and that of other popular car brands.
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