For decades, electric cars were seen as compromises: slow, short on range and best suited to short city trips. The Tesla Model S, which began deliveries in 2012, turned that idea on its head.
Quick facts
| First deliveries | June 2012 |
|---|---|
| Maker | Tesla, USA |
| Body style | Full-size five-door luxury liftback |
| Early range | Up to about 265 miles (EPA) with the 85 kWh battery |
| Award | 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year |
The story
Tesla's first car, the Roadster, showed that electric cars could be exciting, but it was an expensive niche sports car. The Model S was Tesla's attempt to build a practical, desirable family car that could compete with the best luxury saloons, with zero tailpipe emissions.
What made it different
- Long range: a large battery pack in the floor delivered far more range than earlier electric cars.
- Performance: instant electric torque gave rapid acceleration, with high-performance versions rivalling supercars.
- Big touchscreen: a large central screen replaced most buttons, influencing car interiors across the industry.
- Over-the-air updates: the car could gain new features and improvements through software updates, like a smartphone.
- Supercharger network: Tesla built its own fast-charging network, solving a major barrier to long trips.
Why it changed the world
- Desirability: it made electric cars aspirational rather than worthy.
- Industry pressure: established carmakers accelerated their own electric plans in response.
- Software-defined cars: the idea that a car improves over time through software is now an industry goal.
Challenges
The Model S also faced criticism over build quality in early years, and debates continue about driver-assistance features and how they are marketed. But its overall influence on the shift to electric vehicles is widely recognised.
Legacy
The Model S laid the foundation for the more affordable Model 3 and Model Y, which brought electric cars to the mass market. Today, almost every major carmaker sells electric vehicles, a transformation the Model S helped kick-start.
Cars That Changed the World: the full series
- Part 1: Ford Model T
- Part 2: Volkswagen Beetle
- Part 3: The Original Mini
- Part 4: Porsche 911
- Part 5: Toyota Corolla
- Part 6: Land Rover and Defender
- Part 7: Ford Mustang
- Part 8: Toyota Prius
- Part 9: Tesla Model S (you are here)
- Part 10: Ferrari F40
Figures such as production numbers, prices and specifications are commonly cited historical values and may vary slightly between sources.
