The first Tesla Roadster has rolled off the company's production line, less than two years since the first prototype of the all-electric sports car was unveiled. The $98,000 Lotus-engineered car is claimed to be the world's first zero emissions electric vehicle in production.Last month Tesla secured $40m (£20m) in extra funding to sort out problems with the transmissions that delayed the car by six months, and to get the car in production after a management change. It also had to cut staff.The 2008 model year is sold out, and Tesla is taking orders for 2009 production. However, there are no plans to sell the car in the UK, despite that fact that it is built by Lotus engineering at its Hethel factory in Norfolk. Tesla is now working on a five-seat four-door saloon for production in 2010. Known as the White Star, the car will be built in the US.
Read the Tesla Roadster first drive here.
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