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On Friday, February 1, 2008 at 12:56 P.M., an email was sent to all San Carlos based employees of Tesla Motors: “P1 Arriving Now! 
.”
This simple email signified the moment we had been working toward for the last few years. You see, “P1” is the internal designation for the first production unit to be produced by Tesla Motors. This is the anticipated ‘first car’ that was built for Chairman, Elon Musk. So what was it like to be a part of the arrival of P1?
The day started with great anticipation. We all knew the car was planning to arrive on Friday at about 1:00 P.M. We knew that select media would be in attendance to witness the event. We knew there would be a party at the end of the day. Many of us also knew that P1 was stuck in customs in Los Angeles and there were no guarantees that it would be released on time. A few well placed phone calls improved the odds.
When the email arrived that announced the arrival of P1 nearly all Tesla employees gathered behind the shop to watch the delivery truck arrive. When the rear door of the trailer opened and P1 was inside there was a collective sigh of relief from the team and we broke into applause. The team pushed P1 from the trailer and into the shop. Oh right, the car was shipped without an ESS (Energy Storage System, aka “battery”). Our service team would need to install an ESS before Elon could take his first drive.
For the next couple hours we waited with anticipation as the service team installed the ESS in P1. These guys have done this job many times, but never in front of so many people, and never on a production car. While we waited for the ESS to be installed Elon addressed the crowd. He thanked everyone for their hard work and reiterated the importance of this first production car. We will not only build thousands of Tesla Roadsters, we will build tens of thousands of Whitestars, our next vehicle.
Once the ESS was in and all other necessary parts reassembled and checked out, the car was lowered to the ground for its maiden voyage on U.S. soil. The key was turned and the car started right up. For all the risk involved in shipping the car, clearing customs, and installing a key component of the car in plain view, everything went exactly as planned. Very cool!
What do you do in Silicon Valley when you receive delivery of your very first, highly anticipated product? You take a victory lap down University Avenue in Palo Alto of course. To me this is the Silicon Valley version of John Travolta going for a strut at the end of the movie “Staying Alive.” Elon jumped in his car for the first time and led the way. Four Tesla Roadster prototypes followed packed full of engineers. It wasn’t exactly roadster weather on Friday, but nobody cared. Tops off and lights on, five Tesla Roadsters drove in formation down highway 101 and up University Avenue. What a sight to see. I wish the whole world was there to see this achievement, but they weren’t, so we took pictures and a few videos.
I think you will see from the pictures, anticipation quickly turned to elation as the day progressed. We are all proud of this achievement and are now working hard to build and deliver the remaining first year Tesla Roadsters.
Employees and media await the arrival of P1
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Mac Powell explains the significance of P1
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The car sits high without the ESS installed
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P1’s ESS signed by the ESS team
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Service prepares P1 for ESS installation
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ESS in position to be lifted into place
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It’s alive
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Elon leads the way to Palo Alto
On the open road
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Victory lap in Palo Alto
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Roadster prototypes driven by
engineers follow Elon and JB in P1
Premium seats, Rally 1,
Black/Red, Black head restraint
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Posted in the categories: First Post, Company
Congratulations on THE major milestone!
Keith
Congratulations! Everyone can now exhale.
Congratulations to all those who have worked so hard over the last five or six years to bring this project to this point.
Cool… That is a major milestone.
In other news: Tesla made Wired’s Top 10 Vaporware awards list
www.wired.com/gadgets/gadgetreviews/multimedia/2007/12/YE_Vaporware?slide=2&slideView=11
Hopefully cars 2-700 will arrive on our shores soon. I really don’t want Tesla to be on the list for next year. (other than maybe with the Whitestar :-p )
You can see Elon’s grin in the photo “Victory lap in Palo Alto”. I bet that smiles come standard with every Tesla Roadster 8^D
Awesome page, thanks for the post. I absolutely love that Elon took the drive down University Avenue for a victory lap - did he drive all the way up to the loop of Stanford Univerisity (my alma mater)? You guys did everything right, and are rewarded with eternal glory! The future plans for both the Roadster (replacing transmissions) and Whitestar (REV option) are dead on, and forcing the entire auto industry to scramble, which is what a Silicon Valley startup should cause any dormant industry.
Great job to ALL current and past employees of Tesla Motors!
cool
We are proud to be able to see this amazing Tesla car of the present and the future.
In all of Albin`s 96 years, and of my 92 years living in this world, this is the most exciting transportation we have seen.
You are helping the environment in so many ways. No gasoline or toxic emmissions, to mention a few.
We see a wonderful future for Teslamotors.
Any time you are in our area, how about a test drive with you?
Great news! I hope you are all equally excited about P2
I know I am.
This was a true “Kool-Aid” moment (picture the parched children being astonished by the big Kool Aide pitcher busting through the wall: “Oh Yeah!”
Congratulations!!!!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Elon Musk smile so much!
Why are magazines like Wired always in a uproar for minor things? For a startup company, Tesla is only 4 or 5 months past its declared production date. That is really quite amazing considering the feat.
Wow! Now I feel very green! (With envy…)
Is that the hardtop installed in the “The car sits high without the ESS installed” photo? Later the top is removed. Does this mean the hardtop is removable? (Or was that just the soft top?) If it is removable, where does it go?
Congatulations TM …. Stay focus and no one will catch you in this field of sports cars!
Well done. look forward to seeing P2-P10 arriving on a normal car carrier. Go Tesla.
# Kevin M. wrote on February 6th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
## Is that the hardtop installed in the “The car sits high without the ESS installed” photo?
Yes
## Later the top is removed. Does this mean the hardtop is removable?
Yes
(Eek! So silent for so long, and now I can’t keep up with the blogs!)
Congratulations to everyone involved! I imagine shortly after the big exhale, there was a growing sense of anxiety. Now you’ve got to make thousands more!
Congratulations, though we are green with envy here in Australia. I guess it will be some time before we experience any Tesla model in Australia. That is unless Tesla is interested in buying a fully equipped manufacturing plant in Adelaide that will come on the market next month courtesy of Mitsubishi. At one stage there were rumours that Mitsubishi was going to build an electric car in the Adelaide plant, but instead they built a car nobody wanted. Some lessons over here. Mitsubishi RIP, long live Tesla! (please pass on Mitsubishi’s number to Elon I’m sure he could make them an offer for the plant).
I just read that Tesla plans to sell their powertrains to a foreign automaker. My only suggestion is that Tesla get a non-compete agreement for the US. If Tesla wants to sell drivetrains for European and Asian markets, where Tesla is not selling, then great. If Tesla allows a foreign or domestic automaker to buy drivetrains for the US market, then forget about selling any Whitestars.
get ready to sell ten thousand of these! I could sell a thousand myself. Can’t wait to get it.
as an owner of the 2nd EV-!, I can once again feel the pride. Congratulations to Elon and the entire team.
Great job to ALL current and past employees of Tesla Motors!
Oh my God! This is awesome! Been waiting for this for a long long time…can’t afford it though! But cool points for the environment! Any chance you may get a show going in Atlanta!
##NZDavid wrote on February 6th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
##Well done. look forward to seeing P2-P10 arriving on a normal car carrier. Go Tesla.
I’d love to see that too but I don’t think we will if the ESSs are being fitted in the USA rather than the UK, as was the case with Elon Musk’s car. Cars are normally driven onto car transporters under their own power and it would be tricky to drive a Tesla without an ESS. I suppose they could be shipped in a regular shipping container. I can’t seem to find out whether it is going to be normal practice to fit the ESS in the US or in the UK. Apparently this is a level of operational detail that isn’t suitable for discussion in the comments section of this site……I really can’t think why. Maybe they haven’t decided yet.
Fantastic news!
How about getting a production car shipped to the UK for review by the BBC TV Show “Top Gear” & let the “Stig” test it on their race track?
More publicity & public exposure the better, particuarly in Europe & the far east.
How about “open sourcing” some of the technology too?
Congratulations on P1. Well done. I can’t wait for mine (P-whatever) to arrive. My only decision now is which CA license plate to use, GO TESLA or OC JOULE. I’ve reserved them both.
Great news!!
Love the video. Please also blog about cars 2 - May. I would love to see how the next customers react to the cars. The first one is the hardest. but 2-10 should be even more exiting to watch as they’ll be assembly line style.
I’m happy that the Roadster won’t be on Wired’s 2008 vaporware awards list now. Better late and good than never, and/or unfinished.
Love the idea of giving one to TOP GEAR!!! Too bad it won’t show up until the next fall on TV. (I think they tape their episodes in the summer) Please give them the final car though. (with the final transmission)
Can’t wait to see what the car will do on the Top Gear track. The Top Gear review is what put the Ariel Atom II on the map and a global sensation. I can’t wait to see what it would do to the Tesla Roadster. (even if it can’t be sold in Europe, Millions of Americans watch the show; On BBC America, YouTube, etc.)
Please add the car to Gran Turismo 5 as well. Great exposure, and great game. Gran Turismo is the reason the Nissan Skyline has such a following. Imagine what it would do to TESLA MOTORS.
Awesome news!!!! I agree with earlier statements that the following cars should be really cool cause they will be to actual customers. I can’t wait till the end of March!!
Go Tesla Go!!!!!!!
Congrats on a job well done!
I’m thinking about a license plate for mine that says BYE OPEC
Looking forward to seeing the first Whitestar too.
Hi,
just watched “WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR” which mentions Tesla Motors. I am really impressed.
This does look like progress for once
What else can this be except a great success?
Best regards,
Yo (from Germany)
Congratulations. I echo someone else here who criticized the grousing of the techie press. I remember when even LEGITIMATE companies might miss their mark by two or three years, and still be able to claim victory and “mission accomplished” at the end. By that standard, the Roadster is “on time.” So everybody in the press, quitcherhalibuten and give Tesla the props they have earned for doing what so many had thought impossible. And Tesla, earn the rest of your props by ramping up production and making the “final” transmission available ASAP. Remember, quite a few of us are waiting (and saving) for WhiteStar.
My only regret in this wonderful news is that the Feb 1 email didn’t go out to us faithful bloggers also. I was in easy driving distance of Palo Alto on that day, and would have given a lot for my son and I to have witnessed the Roadster parade down University Ave. The videos and photo are a comfort, though.
P1!
Congratulations! 
Fantastic news! 
How long it will take till you produce P2 and so on?
when will p2 arrive?
is this a single front runner with a long time before the next or are they coming now?
(not sure why I ask a question because Tesla never answers)
Tesla Roadster P1 is now a used car
Congratulations, and keep ‘em coming!
oh yeah one more thing, where’s Martin Eberhard in the pictures…
Like many others, including him, I’m curious to know when the founder’s car, P2, is going to be delivered
Dan,
Geez, don’t get your panties in a bunch. Tesla Motors sent a single vehicle down the chute to see where it might get stuck, and worked out every obstacle prior to moving another vehicle. They stated that they are starting production on March 17, so our good friend Martin will get his car eventually.
Congrats. I am so excited to hear about this. I hope I can be a part of the excitement there some time in the very near future. You will be hearing from me soon. You guys rock!
One word: Jealous!
First off I a very proud of everyone at Tesla Motors. Second why are the videos so short. LOL I wanted to see more driving!!! Tesla your just trying to tease everyone here and its working. : D
First of all congratulations on your success!!
I`m from Erope. Where can I buy Tesla for me.
Best regards.
Beno.
we haven’t finalized plans for Europe, although we are certainly eager to grow our business there once we have established our business in the US and can confidently expand production and distribution -ed.
Congratulations, but why doesn’t fueleconomy.gov list the Tesla Roadster in it’s Electric car section? Is this just a matter of time or do more regulatory filings need to be made to get the Roadster listed there?
Congradulation of course!!!!! Tesla achieved what GM and the others could not! A production certified safe great looking all electric vehicle for what approx $100 million…. a fact that big auto still can’t reproduce. Therefore not only did Tesla succeed technologically but they beat them from a business perspective which big auto thought they had locked-up.
Big auto look out! The barriers to entry are gone! Success for Tesla is freedom at its best.
Cheers,
Dirk
I have to say that your company and the new car are the most innovative and inspiring things I have read about in a very, very long time. I hope that you guys come out with a more affordable model in the near future and are able to keep up with demand. This new car coupled with solar power at home for charging the batteries will ultimately free us from the chains that big oil and traditional carbon-based electricity have bound us to for so long. Keep up the brilliant work! I look forward to seeing how your company will lead the new revolution in automotive eco-sustainability and hope that you form strategic alliances with many of the solar companies, working in tandem to achieve common goals.
How about a blog from Elon on his first week owning and driving the Tesla?
That’s a REALLY good idea there JBC!!!!
I second that notion! How about Elon writing about his first week driving the car??? I am sure there was alot of stares from onlookers lol
It’s Saturday Night Fever…
“we haven’t finalized plans for Europe, although we are certainly eager to grow our business there once we have established our business in the US and can confidently expand production and distribution -ed.”
Great - I have 5 grand waiting for the day you announce the right hand drive version is coming to the UK
Yeah Tesla! Not only do you have a great car, but Tesla is already more profitable than GM! (Ok, have to admit that was a little too easy.)
General Motors Corp. reported a $38.7 billion loss for 2007, the largest loss of any automaker ever.
AAAAHHH, this is too awesome!
I have been following the Roadster’s journey since maybe somewhere in 2006, and it is so great to see your hard work pay off in the first production vehicle. I hope you guys can now take up the challenge of keeping up with demand. Best of luck.
You guys have inspired me to convert a moped to a speedy electric vehicle (it works pretty good!) and pursue research interests in buried magnet brushless DC motors. I think that type of motor may end up being the EV motor of choice someday (maybe). You guys are great, and I would love to work for you someday when I get some more real-world engineering experience.
See ya,
-Ryan Otte
The Ohio State University
Cooooooooooooooooooooooooool, finally.
I havent ever seen Ellon soo Happy, and I like that happines, its real. He looks like a kid with a new tow. Congrats Ellon.
random idea. How about a post on P2? I think someone we all know, its going to be very excited too.
yeah!
Is P1 being driven daily now by Mr. Musk to SpaceX ?
A marketing idea:
If there are living descendants of Nikolai Tesla, perhaps linking with them for something; a photo shoot, a promotional piece, etc.
This is so cool!
Don’t walllow too long in it though.
Most heartening and on-point comment by Mr. Musk was “We have to build a lot of cars.”
Congratulations to all you guys on getting P1 out on the street…. they look marvelous!!! 8^)
More woes for those using internal destruction engines - oil prices closed at a record $100.01 per-barrel today. (The $100 ceilng had actually been broken on Jan. 3rd, but it was a “history stunt” by a trader wanting to brag to his grandchildren.)
Stuff like this just makes electrical power look even cheaper in comparison. Go Tesla!
By the way, I’m a high-schooler, and I’ve been following the Tesla’s progress for the last few years. I’m really hoping you guys go big. I might not be able to get a Roadster at this point, but hopefully by the time I’m out of college, BlueStars will be up for sale!
Hey Zak,
I’ve got a great a great idea.
“Rent-A-Tesla”
Waddiya think? Awwww-w-w-w c’mon, ple-e-e-a-se? I’m poor, but I’d scratch up $150 or so, for an hour behind the wheel of this car. My wife once spent the the same money to give me a Birthday flight in a T6 Texan. The Tesla would easily be an equal value, no? Jeff
Congratulations all on the achievement and milestone. A ancilliary product you might consider making is “crow pie” and send P1 of that run to Wired’s editors for a trial run. I look forward to owning one of your cars someday, hopefully soon.
Here is footage of production 1 being driven through Santa Monica at night. Awesomeness.
valleywag.com/358015/elon-musks-tesla-caught-on-video-smoking-scoble-and-calacanis
WE NEED A SPIRIT NOT A GHOST!!!!!! PROUD OF YOU GUYS AT TELSA.SHOW THE WORLD THE TRUTH!!!!!! MAY GOD BLESS!!
I am overjoyed to see some enterprising individuals FINALLY begin to produce their dream of something which long ago I have dreamed, designed, redesigned and agonized about. Your success in this enterprise is and shall continue to be well worth the wait.
I have two questions should you happen to review these comments.
The first involves the use of a Li-ion vs Sodium battery. I selected Sodium in 1963 due to its density of energy storage and at that time Li-ion was not available. The Sodium battery drawback was it’s very high temperature (693 degrees Fahrenheit). Does the present Li-ion battery approach the energy density available in the Sodium battery and does the weight of the Li-ion make it more practical?
The second question again involves the battery.
Advanced design of the Li-ion battery has involved now a “nanowire” concept to improve capacity. The researchers claim a 10x improvement in capacity, however my calculations show more along a 4.1x improvement. They do not stipulate a size differential (I believe about a +40% volume change) nor do they stipulate a weight difference (I again believe an increase of about 15%). Do you intend to embrace this change if/when it occurs in the practical world?
In all other respects your design concepts appear to be close to those I had envvisioned… Congratulations on your efforts!!!
I look forward to seeing your vehicles on the road in every state.
Harvey Seibert: You didn’t mention what type of sodium battery you were considering in 1963, but it sounds like sodium sulphur. Ford had researched those batteries, but dropped the idea due to high operating temps and safety issues - a sodium sulphur fire would be truly nasty!. Sodium nickle chloride batteries (Zebra batteries) operate at more moderate temperatures, and have good energy density, but poor power density.
The Energy Storage System (ESS) on the Tesla Roadster stores about 53 Kwh.and weighs about 900 lbs, or 408 Kg, The weight includes battery management, safety and cooling systems. Overall energy density for the ESS is about 130 wh per Kg.
Tesla Motors is keeping close watch on battery developments, and will consider these new technologies when they become available. It will take several years before “nanowire” LiIon batteries are in commercial production for EVs.
www.informationpile.com/technology/yi-cuis-super-battery-promises-a-revolution/
Tesla Motors is looking for nanowire Battery. The only way the electric car can succeed is when the Battery get Better.
The Nanowire Battery get 10 Times better.
Let Dream:
160 kg (300 lbs) Battery Pack with 340 kwh Energie. The car goes 2000 km (1240 Miles) with one Charge.
Maybe in 10 Years.
I must stop now my Laptop Battery is Empty.
Derdlim from Germany (8 Dollar/Gallon)
Why are you torturing me so!?
It’s heartbreaking watchin you guys!
I can’t wait for the day you tell me I can have one in London!!!! If you ever come here on a promo I WANT A TEST DRIVE!!!!
I love the concept, the design and can’t wait to see one, or better yet, drive one on the streets of Phoenix.
Keep making it happen !!!
Wow! What great news! The P1rocks! I only wish I could have been there when it arrived. I work in the L.A. ports; I wonder if I had anything to do with helping the P1 arrive at it’s destination. : ) Keep up the incredible work and keep those emails flowin’! Can’t wait to see the Whitestar!
Congratulations on the release of P1.
)
I want one
Having owned three Lotus cars before, my last one being an Exige S, I see your car as the future of the best sports car in the world. Some say the Lotus is the poor man’s Ferrari, I say it is the ultimate driver’s sports car. The Telsa is the ultimate 21st century sports car, it is the future. Congratulations for being the trail blazer. I will own one!!
Sadly, no electric vehicle technology or other alternative energy technology will make it to Australia. We will be sadly forced to guzzle oil and coal until the very last drop. (bloody hell)
I am very happy that P1 is released and I wish TESLA very much success on the road to electric cardriving.
I also hope to see your cars soon in the Netherlands!
Congratulations on a job well done. Wonderful car, fabulous technology. We need it here in Sydney Australia.
Well done to all of you at Tesla!!! We look forward to have our own branch in South Africa one day. You took the lead where others feared to go. Congratulations!!!
I want one. Let revolution begin!
David
I’d love to have one. I somehow don’t think I’ll make my money back very soon with a base $98000 price tag though. Hopefully with time, the benefits of mass production will reduce the cost to something less than my annual salary and in the price range of the average consumer.
Congratulations. Tesla will save America from the strangle hold OPEC has on us. This is the one product that can single handily turn our economy around. We will not survive unless you can speed up your mass production plans. We need a sedan model for $25,000 by tomorrow. I want to buy one now and would love to join your team. Pleas tell me how I can help.
#Harvey Seibert Phd: It will take several years before “nanowire” LiIon batteries are in commercial production for EVs.
Actually, it took till this month. Toshiba is specifically targeting that market with the SCiB:
www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2007_12/pr1101.htm
Hmmm, the first “production” car, eh? And to the primary investor in the company? So the car is now “in production” is it? hehe. When is car number 2 going to be ready? July? August? Car number 3? How many “production” cars are going to owners and former CEOs of the company before an actual customer gets one?
And why is everyone going along with this PR ride?
Dear Tesla
Before you get the pat on the back you richly deserve could you please answer the following comments. For little effort you could increase performance with minimal energy compromise.
Have followed your product way before Ian W left your establishment. WHY WHY WHY have you not incorporated super capacitors into your design and passive bank alternators. This would give you another 20% range and the WOW factor would cost peanuts in comparison to the additional 80-100 miles per charge.
The additional Power without massive battery drain seem almost mandatory to have super capacitors. The mechanical energy lost through wind resistance could be partially captured by alternating regenerative energy. For Pete’s sake you are driving into the wind anyhow, why not take a cheap option without creating any real additional wind drag or rolling resistance.
For every mechanical obsticle we have found an Electrical Solution.
With these significant improvements I would buy your product NOW.
Regards and with admiration your Australian colleague
Ian Fulford C.E.O. A.T.C.S. (N.S.W.)
wonderful saw one in pasadena great job congadulations to you and the team elon! question when is it going to run on free electrons?