Which engineer co-founded Tesla Motors with Marc Tarpenning?

Martin Eberhard co-founded Tesla Motors with Marc Tarpenning.

Eberhard and Tarpenning incorporated Tesla Motors on July 1, 2003, in California. Eberhard became the company's original chief executive, while Tarpenning served as chief financial officer and vice president of electrical engineering. Together, they established the company that later became Tesla, Inc.

Eberhard's interest in electric cars grew from concerns about oil dependence and climate change, as well as his exposure to lithium-ion battery technology while developing the Rocket eBook at NuvoMedia. The AC Propulsion tzero electric sports car also helped inspire Tesla's first vehicle, the Roadster.

Elon Musk is often called Tesla's founder because he became the company's largest early investor and chairman in 2004, but he joined after Eberhard and Tarpenning had created the company. J. B. Straubel and Ian Wright were also important early figures. A 2009 settlement allowed five people to use the title “co-founder.”