In 2017, Tesla unveiled its second generation of revolutionary electric supercar Roadster, aiming for record-breaking performance and technology. However, eight years have passed, and the car remains lost forever, leaving customers who have put down a large deposit, totalling $50,000, to wonder if they will ever collect their vehicle.
Although there have been many delays and changes to timelines, Tesla keeps taking deposits and giving no clear information on production or shipping.
When it was unveiled back in November 2017, Tesla’s Roaster specifications were nothing short of astonishing. Musk claimed it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than one second with the SpaceX rocket thruster option, a feature involving 10 small rocket thrusters arranged around the car.
Even without this option, the Roadster is expected to hit 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, thanks to its three electric motors and a 200 kWh battery pack. The vehicle will offer a top speed of over 250 mph and a driving range of 620 miles on a single charge. Tesla has also planned a collaboration with SpaceX for the Roadster.
This unique partnership aims to infuse the Roadster with “rocket technology,” potentially revolutionizing the automotive industry. Musk hinted at the Roadster achieving 0 to 60 mph in under a second, setting a new benchmark for electric sports cars.
Tesla Still Hasn’t Delivered Roadster After 8 Years of Taking $50000 Deposits
These numbers turned the Roadster into one of the most anticipated vehicles in the automotive industry. Elon Musk confidently stated that production would start in 2020.
However, over the years, the start date kept changing. Initially, Tesla rushed production to 2021 and then 2022, and eventually 2023. In 2024, Musk again said the Roadster was almost done but gave no clear deadline. The car is still in limbo as of 2025, with no indication when it will arrive on the market. During an investor and media conference last year, Musk stated that most of the engineering for the Roadster is complete, with a few final upgrades pending. And then the vehicle is ready to go into mass production this year.
Tesla Continues Taking Deposits
One of the most controversial aspects of the Roadster’s long holdup is Tesla’s ongoing acceptance of deposits. Customers wishing to buy the car still have to hand over a $5,000 deposit upfront and $45,000 over 10 days. However, Tesla has given no final production date or price.
Initially priced at a base of $200,000, as “Founders Series” for $250,000. But these numbers were taken from Tesla’s website early 2020s, leading people to suppose that the ultimate cost will be far higher as a result of lengthy development and increasing material cost.
For customers for whom the deposits they made years ago, the frustration is increasing. Unlike typical pre-orders, where manufacturers give an estimated time of delivery, Tesla has surprisingly provided a lack thereof. While Tesla owners are accustomed to delays, the striker’s eight-year wandering is pushing even the most faithful fans to the edge.
Does the Roadster Still Matter?
When Tesla first released the Roadster, it was marketed as an industry-revolutionizing supercar. But the EV fleet has changed quite a bit since 2017. Several rivals, Rimac, Pininfarina and Lotus among them, have released electric hypercars producing either similar or superior performance. Even a traditional automaker like Porsche and Lucid is offering high-performance EVs that pose to Tesla.
With its long wait, the Roadster is now aimed at the wrong market. Tesla’s 2017 acceleration and range claims were revolutionary, but now that it has been delayed for such a long time, several EV supercars are offering similar or even better performance than what Tesla claimed for the Roadster. If the Roadster ever goes into production, it will take more than just its original features to impress.
What Should Depositors Do?
For those who have deposited the complete, inactivity raises disturbing questions. Tesla’s deposit system works differently from traditional car pre-orders— customers in effect, lend the company an interest-free loan with no strings attached. Unlike other manufacturers that do refund due to delayed timelines, Tesla’s DPCA (deposit installment plan agreement) provisions are quite tough, making it unlikely for customers to recover their initial down payment.
Any interested parties should weigh up whether waiting to be sentenced to an uncertain future for a car that may never show up is worth it. Having seen the track record of Tesla, even if the Roadster does enter production, it is unclear when deliveries will really take place, or how much the final price will be.
Conclusion
The tale of the Tesla Roadster is a stern warning for early adopters and EV enthusiasts. Tesla has a track record of being a technology pioneer, but also one famous for hyping up hopes that were never fulfilled. The Roadster’s eight-year delay shows the risks of pre-buying products that only exist within the concept.
