Tesla Roadster: Release Date, Price, Range and Specs

The Tesla Roadster has been one of the most anticipated electric sports cars since Tesla unveiled it in 2017. Nearly nine years later, the biggest question remains: when will customers finally get one?

Tesla originally promised a car with supercar performance, a claimed 620-mile driving range, and acceleration that would challenge some of the world's quickest production vehicles. Production was initially planned for 2020, but the launch was repeatedly delayed.

Tesla is targeting production in 2028. Here's what we know about the Tesla Roadster's release date, advertised performance, expected price, and the technology that could set it apart.

Tesla Roadster Release Date

Tesla first unveiled the second-generation Roadster in November 2017, with production originally expected in 2020. That timeline slipped repeatedly, leaving the car in development far longer than initially planned.

Tesla is now targeting 2028 for production. However, a production target is not a confirmed customer delivery date. Buyers should wait for a firm schedule and final production specifications before assuming the car will arrive on time.

Tesla Roadster specs and performance

Tesla's official Roadster website advertises some ambitious performance figures.

• 0–60 mph: 1.9 seconds
• Top speed: More than 250 mph
• Claimed range: 620 miles
• Seating capacity: Four

These are Tesla's advertised specifications, not independently verified production-car results.

The acceleration claim is eye-catching, but a great sports car needs more than a quick sprint. Handling, braking, tire performance, and the ability to deliver consistent power under demanding conditions will help determine whether the Roadster lives up to its promise.

The claimed 620-mile range is just as interesting. If Tesla can deliver that figure in production, the Roadster could combine extreme performance with a driving range rarely seen in electric sports cars.

How much will the Tesla Roadster cost?

Tesla has not confirmed the final purchase price for the redesigned Roadster.

When Tesla announced the car in 2017, it proposed a starting price of $200,000, with a limited Founders Series priced at $250,000. Those historical figures provide context, but they are not confirmed prices for the production vehicle.

The Roadster targets buyers seeking exceptional performance and exclusivity rather than an affordable daily driver. Before reserving, prospective buyers should confirm current pricing, deposit terms, and cancellation policies directly with Tesla.

Can the Tesla Roadster fly?

Tesla has also explored technology developed with SpaceX, including compressed-gas thrusters designed to enable unusual maneuvers.

The concept is certainly attention-grabbing, but it raises practical questions about safety, complexity, weight, and road legality. Demonstrating a capability does not mean it will be available on every production model or approved for public-road use.

Until Tesla confirms which features will reach customers, the most extreme demonstrations are best viewed as a technology showcase rather than a standard Roadster feature.

How does the Tesla Roadster compare with other electric sports cars?

The electric performance market has changed considerably since the Roadster was first announced the Roadster.

The Rimac Nevera has established itself as a serious electric hypercar. Meanwhile, the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT shows how electric power can deliver both rapid acceleration and track-focused performance.

Tesla's advertised range and acceleration could give the Roadster a distinctive position if the company delivers on its targets. But buyers will also want to know how it handles, how well it manages heat during repeated acceleration, how comfortable it is on ordinary roads, and whether its performance justifies the eventual price.

Tesla must also demonstrate that it can manufacture the car and support owners after delivery. For a vehicle that has spent years in development, those questions matter as much as the headline numbers.

Is the Tesla Roadster worth waiting for?

The Tesla Roadster could be an extraordinary electric sports car. Its advertised performance, long-range target, and experimental technology make it one of the industry's more unusual projects.

But the Roadster has been promising a lot for a long time.

The next important milestones are confirmed production timing, final pricing, and independently verified performance from a production-ready vehicle. Until then, prospective buyers should treat Tesla's specifications as advertised targets rather than settled real-world results.

I'd love to see Tesla pull it off. An electric sports car that combines serious range with supercar performance would be a compelling achievement.

Now Tesla needs to turn those promises into a car customers can actually buy.

FAQ

When will the Tesla Roadster be released?

Tesla is targeting production of the next-generation Roadster in 2028. A firm customer delivery date has not been confirmed, and the timeline could change.

How much will the Tesla Roadster cost?

Tesla has not confirmed the final price of the redesigned Roadster. The original 2017 announcement listed a proposed starting price of $200,000 and a $250,000 Founders Series, but those figures are not confirmed pricing for the production model.

How fast is the Tesla Roadster?

Tesla advertises a 0–60 mph time of 1.9 seconds and a top speed above 250 mph. These are advertised performance targets, not independently verified results from a production vehicle.

What is the Tesla Roadster's range?

Tesla's official Roadster website advertises a range of up to 620 miles per charge. The final production vehicle's real-world range has not been independently verified.

How many people can the Tesla Roadster seat?

Tesla's original second-generation Roadster specifications describe a four-seat layout. Final production specifications should be confirmed before purchase.

Will the Tesla Roadster have SpaceX thrusters?

Tesla has demonstrated concepts involving compressed-gas thrusters developed with SpaceX. Whether these systems will be available on a production Roadster, and in which configurations, remains subject to confirmation.

Can you reserve the Tesla Roadster?

Tesla has offered Roadster reservations through its official website. Prospective buyers should check the current reservation availability, deposit requirements and cancellation terms directly with Tesla.

Is the Tesla Roadster fully electric?

Yes. The Roadster is designed as a battery-electric sports car. Tesla's advertised range and performance figures are intended to demonstrate the potential of electric propulsion in a high-performance vehicle.