The Tesla Roadster Electric Car: The Complete Guide For India

---

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram

---

Electric Cars: The Basics

---

For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

For those keen on an overview of the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market and the benefits of zero-emission electric driving, simply scroll down to the end of the article!

---

Sign up to the newsletter

---

The Tesla Roadster Electric Car

---

Tesla Inc. (formerly Tesla Motors Inc.) was founded by American engineers, Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning in 2003. They named the Palo Alto based company, Tesla, as a tribute to the engineer Nikola Tesla.  In fact, Elon Musk (Co-Founder, Tesla) become involved with the company post the founding of Tesla Motors. He was the lead  investor in the 2004  Series A investment round.

• All-electric Tesla Model X
• All-electric Tesla Model S
• All-electric Tesla Model Y
• All-electric Tesla Model 3
• All-electric Tesla Roadster
• All-electric Tesla Cybertruck

The Tesla Roadster EV was unveiled by Elon Musk in November 2017, but this is not the first Roadster developed by the famed electric vehicle manufacturer. The original Roadster was built between 2008 to 2012. The high-performance electric sports car was based on the Lotus Elise chassis.

The company sold nearly 2,500 electric Roadsters across 30 countries. Among many milestones achieved by the pure electric car, it also holds the distinction of being the only car to be launched into orbit on a test flight in February 2018.

The California based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer claims the new electric Roadster supercar will be the “quickest car in the world, with record-setting acceleration, range and performance.” Yes, the production-series Roadster electric car is set to break a number of records, to include the fastest production car ever built.

Tesla claims that the zero-tailpipe emission electric coupé can achieve 0-100 km/h in a staggering 1.9 seconds, with a top speed of 400 km/h. The EV can accelerate 0-160 km/h in 4.2 seconds. The all-wheel drive (AWD) has three independent electric motors powering the front and rear wheels. Tesla claims up to 10,000 Nm torque for the EV.

But if that alone is not impressive enough, the Tesla Roadster electric sports car has a claimed pure electric range up to 1,000 km on a full EV battery charge. The EV will be available in only one EV battery size (200 kWh) and like other Tesla electric cars be capable of DC rapid charging using the Tesla Supercharger network. In fact, Tesla owns and operates the largest fast charging network globally (35,000+ globally). Tesla claims that Superchargers can add up to 277 km of electric range in just 15 minutes. The Superchargers offers a maximum DC charging rate up to 250 kW.

The EV also incorporates a light weight and removable glass roof, so that the electric car can be converted into a convertible without much effort. The Roadster has four seats, however, don’t expect the rear seats to be hugely practical!

Production of the EV is expected to commence in 2023. Production has been delayed due to supply chain issues. The EV will be first delivered to US customers. Expect global deliveries in 2023/24. The pure electric supercar will be manufactured in California.

Though the deliveries dates are yet unknown, one thing is for certain. The pure electric Tesla Roadster is set to be a game changer for electric driving!

---

The All-Electric New Tesla Roadster (credit: Tesla)

---

At A Glance
EV Type:	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
EV Battery Capacity:	200 kWh
0-100 km/h:	1.9 seconds
0-160 km/h:	4.2 seconds
Engine:	Electric
Top Speed:	400 km/h
Wheel Torque (Nm):	10,000
Range:	1,000 km
Drive:	All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Seats:	4
Available In India:	No

---

Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

---

India Electric Vehicle (EV) Market

---

India, like many other countries, is well positioned to benefit from the shift to zero-tailpipe emission electric driving. Road transportation is a major contributor to air pollution (over 30%), choking our towns, cities and villages across India. Diesel vehicles, in particular, diesel trucks and diesel buses, are significant sources for tailpipe emissions. But given the rise in the standard of living, since liberalisation, the demand for privately owned passenger cars has increased at an unprecedented pace, further worsening the air quality. India has more than 3 crores (30 million) cars releasing tailpipe emissions on its roads!

Though we have seen some improvements in air quality during the ongoing pandemic (as a result of lower vehicle traffic), India’s shift to electric driving will be key in achieving long-term higher air quality. Of course, apart from EVs, the continued development of green and renewable energy infrastructure will be key in achieving lower long-term air pollution. India has already demonstrated global leadership in regards to large-scale solar and wind projects! Hopefully, India will replicate the success with zero-emission electric vehicles.

Despite recent announcements and support from local and national government agencies in India, the EV market is still at a nascent stage, well, at least in terms of electric cars and electric vans. Two-wheel electric scooters and three-wheel electric rickshaws (e-rickshaws) have demonstrated a strong uptake, and India is poised to become a global leader in electric scooters and electric rickshaws (e-tuk). In fact, the ubiquitous e-rickshaw commands an impressive 83% of the Indian electric vehicle market. India currently has over 15 lakhs (1.5 million) e-rickshaws, with each EV playing a role in reducing tailpipe emissions on our roads in India.

Sales of passenger electric cars is still at an early stage. In FY2021, though the market witnessed a growth of nearly 110% from the previous year, the absolute volume of cars sold was only 5,905 electric cars. Currently there are less that 15 pure electric car models available on sale in India.

Tata Motors, the biggest automotive manufacturer in India has launched the Tata Nexon electric SUV. Mahindra Electric, another leading Indian automotive manufacturer, has also launched a number of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs), to include, the Mahindra eVerito electric car, Mahindra eSupro electric van and Mahindra e2o Plus compact electric car. International manufacturers, like UK based MG Motors, have also launched the MG ZS electric SUV in India. Also available are the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE SUV and the Hyundai Kona electric SUV.

---

Benefits Of Electric Driving

---

The benefits of electric driving are many, with significant advantageous over petrol and diesel internal combustion (ICE) engine cars, for all stakeholders. These benefits include:

• Lower to zero-tailpipe emissions
• Lower running costs
• Lower taxes
• Lower maintenance costs
• Lower noise pollution
• Convenience of charging at home
• Smoother drive
• Instant torque for acceleration
• Lower environmental impact

Below we have highlighted three of our favourite benefits of owning and driving an electric car.

---

Improved Air Quality

---

Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) or all-electric vehicles do not have tailpipe pollution. In fact, such electric cars do not even have a tailpipe! Zero-emission electric driving has a real and immediate impact on local air quality i.e. improving air quality. While, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have reduced tailpipe pollution compared to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. The sooner we migrate to electric driving in India, the sooner we can improve air quality for all our cities, towns and villages. Lower air pollution will also result in a reduced number of health issues arising from inhaling toxic pollutants.

---

Lower Maintenance & Running Costs

---

Electric vehicles (EVs) are cheaper to maintain and drive. Pure electric cars have far fewer moving parts compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The fewer the moving parts, the lower the probability of repair and maintenance. Moreover charging an electric car can cost as little Rs 50 per 100 kilometres! A full charge can cost between Rs 100 and Rs 200. Significantly cheaper than filling a tank of petrol or diesel!

---

Lower Noise Pollution

---

Yes, we in India are far more resilient to noise pollution than those living in the western world. We have certainly got used to horns blaring and engines roaring, day and night. But that does not mean we enjoy or welcome noise pollution. In fact, quite the opposite!

Though much focus has been on the advantageous of ‘air quality’ with an electric car, just as important, is the benefit of lower noise pollution. In fact, pure electric cars are silent, with an inbuilt ‘sound booster’ to increase road safety for pedestrians. As our cities in India and across the world become densely populated with cars, the significant negative impact on ‘quality of life’ as a result of increased noise pollution from petrol and diesel vehicles, is just as dangerous, as increased air pollution. Battery-electric cars are a perfect solution in reducing noise pollution and increasing the living standards for us all. Of course, one can only hope that the self inflicted ‘horn blaring’ pollution will also reduce!

---

While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

---

Related articles

---