2010 Tesla Roadster Sport ‘Joanie’ - by Jason Auch

‘When something is important enough, you do it, even if the odds are not in your favour.’ - Elon Musk

 

These words rang very true as I clicked the ‘Buy it Now’ button on the
Tesla webpage, ordering a very orange Tesla Roadster Sport.
There were no electric cars around at that point. The Internet was full
of stories of electric car companies who would take your money, only to
disappear months later.I had never seen a Roadster in real life. I had no
idea if I would even fit in the car, beyond the kind assurance of the Tesla
sales person I had emailed previously.

 

But I was at the point where I could no longer live with impact my vehicles
were having on the world we depend on. We produce more carbon
dioxide than ever before, and consume precious fossil fuels at an
unsustainable rate. I had to do something. But I still wanted a cool car.
It was important. I had to take a chance that this start up car company

would be able to deliver on the promise of an electric super car.It was a

brutal wait while my car was built. Tesla would send occasional teaser

snapshots as the roadster went through the various stages of manufacturing.

 

Eight weeks later, on a cold snowy day in October, I came home from work to see my first Roadster; My own orange Tesla Roadster Sport sitting in my driveway. It was love at first sight.Driving it was a paradox; 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds while still hearing the birds chirp in the trees. Traveling 396km on only $5 of electricity. Driving all day with zero carbon emissions thanks to our Bullfrog’d electricity. We have now had the Roadster for three and half years. I can attest that it is still the best driving car I have ever driven.

 

I still feel the same excitement today as the first time I climbed inside.So the gamble paid off. Tesla is now a successful, financially sound company producing thousands of Model S a year; soon to include a Model X SUV, and the affordable Model E. I am proud to know our Roadster, and our commitment to change, have played an important role in moving electrical cars into the mainstream.