Tesla has made a bold move by releasing all the design and engineering details of its original Roadster model to the public domain. This means that anyone can access, modify, and use the information for their own purposes, without any legal restrictions or fees. Tesla hopes that this will inspire more innovation and collaboration in the electric vehicle industry, as well as foster a culture of openness and transparency.
The original Tesla Roadster was launched in 2008 as the first highway-capable all-electric sports car. It was based on the Lotus Elise chassis, but featured a unique battery pack, powertrain, and software. The Roadster achieved a range of 245 miles per charge, a top speed of 125 mph, and an acceleration of 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds. It was also the first production car to use lithium-ion battery cells, which are now widely used in electric vehicles.
Tesla stopped producing the Roadster in 2012, after selling about 2,500 units worldwide. The company has since focused on developing its Model S sedan, Model X SUV, Model 3 compact car, and Model Y crossover.
Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and invest in Africa’s finest startups here.
Tesla also plans to launch a new version of the Roadster in 2022, which is expected to have a range of 620 miles, a top speed of over 250 mph, and an acceleration of 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds.
By making the original Roadster open source, Tesla is not only sharing its legacy, but also its vision for the future. Tesla believes that electric vehicles are the key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. Tesla also wants to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy by making its technology accessible to everyone.
Cybertrucks are on their way to Tesla stores in North America
Tesla fans and enthusiasts have been eagerly waiting for the arrival of the Cybertruck, the futuristic electric pickup truck that was unveiled by Elon Musk in 2019. The Cybertruck promises to deliver unprecedented performance, durability, and versatility, with a range of up to 500 miles, a towing capacity of over 14,000 pounds, and a stainless-steel exoskeleton that can withstand bullets and sledgehammers.
The Cybertruck was originally scheduled to enter production in late 2021, but due to the global chip shortage and other challenges, the launch date has been pushed back to 2022. However, Tesla has not been idle in the meantime. The company has been working on refining the design and features of the Cybertruck, as well as preparing its Gigafactory Texas for mass production.
In a recent update, Musk announced that some Cybertrucks are already on their way to Tesla stores in North America, where they will be displayed for potential customers and reservation holders. This is a major milestone for the Cybertruck project, as it marks the first time that the public will be able to see and touch the final version of the vehicle. Musk did not specify which stores will receive the Cybertrucks, but he hinted that they will be spread across different regions and climates.
The Cybertruck is expected to be a game-changer for the electric vehicle industry and the pickup truck market. It will compete with traditional gas-powered trucks, as well as upcoming electric models from Ford, Rivian, and others. The Cybertruck has already received over one million reservations, according to unofficial estimates, and Tesla hopes to ramp up production to meet the high demand.
Tesla hopes that by opening up its design and engineering data, it will encourage other automakers, entrepreneurs, hobbyists, and enthusiasts to create new and improved electric vehicles.
Tesla is not the first company to embrace open-source principles. Many software companies, such as Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, have released some of their code and tools to the public domain. Some hardware companies, such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi, have also made their schematics and designs available for anyone to use.
However, Tesla is the first major car manufacturer to open source its entire vehicle model. This is a remarkable step that could have a significant impact on the automotive industry and beyond.