Tesla Model S: World’s First Electric Sedan Hits Road

Electric car manufacturers Tesla Motors have rolled out and delivered the world’s first premium electric sedan – the Model S – to its first customers. The delivery, made on Friday and at the Tesla factory in Fremont, marks a landmark moment in the history of green automobiles.

The company, which plans to roll out 5,000 electric cars by the end of 2012, and 20,000 electric sedans in 2013, said that the Model S was the world’s first premium sedan to be built from the ground up as an electric vehicle. The no-combustion engine of the Model S allows for extra cargo space in front of the car and more spacious interiors.

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has rated the Model S sedan as having a range of 265 miles, which is something of a record for an electric automobile. The luxury sports vehicle is also the electric vehicle with the longest battery range and has three battery options – 40 kWh, 60 kWh and 85 kWh.

Tesla has already received more than 10,000 reservations worldwide for the Model S electric sedan, priced at $49,900. Deliveries of the cars to European and Asian customers will begin in early and mid-2013, according to the company.