Tesla introduced the first-generation Tesla Roadster, its first production car, in 2008.
The Roadster was based on the Lotus Elise sports-car platform but replaced its conventional powertrain with an electric drivetrain and lithium-ion battery pack. Tesla began delivering the vehicle in 2008, making it one of the first highway-capable electric cars to use a large lithium-ion battery pack.
The car’s performance challenged the idea that electric vehicles had to be slow or impractical. Its limited production and high price made it a niche product, but it helped Tesla attract attention and investment before the larger Model S arrived.
Tesla was founded in 2003, initially under the name Tesla Motors. The company later expanded into mass-market vehicles, energy storage, solar products, charging infrastructure, and software services.