LONDON, June 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
First RHD customer deliveries in the world presented by
Tesla CEO Elon
Musk
Tesla CEO Elon Musk delivered
five new cars to customers in London today at an event to mark the arrival
of right hand drive (RHD) Model S in the UK. The occasion marks the
beginning of a planned rapid expansion in the country in the coming
two years.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140607/690635 )
Today, Tesla operates a store and a service centre in
London. By the end of 2014,
however, customers will be able to visit Tesla stores and service
centres across the UK. Tesla will also continue to hold test-drive
events around the country.
RHD MODEL S IN THE UK
Model S is an uncompromised electric car that delivers 502
kilometres of range on a single charge. With a 17-inch touchscreen,
an outstanding safety record, and an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in
4.4 seconds, the fully electric Model S breaks the mould. Tesla is
committed to giving customers the best possible Model S experience
no matter where they live. With that in mind, the company has
completed a country-specific validation programme to ensure the
vehicles are optimised for every market in which they are sold.
Right hand drive cars in the UK come with software specific to the
country and a configuration that fits the needs of owners who drive
on the left hand side of the road. Everything from the wipers to
the braces in the front trunk has been re-fitted for RHD.
FIRST UK SUPERCHARGER
Tesla also energised the first Supercharger location in the UK
at the delivery event. The Crystal site at London's Royal Victoria Docks represents the
beginning of a route to Paris and
then the rest of Europe, which
will enable Model S drivers to travel long distances in the UK and
on the continent for free.
"Superchargers enable long distance travel but also, in a city
where off street parking is rare and expensive, Model S customers
will be able to access a network of Superchargers across
London to charge, quickly and for
free, at their convenience," said Elon
Musk. "We are looking at locations across the capital to
place our first set of inner city Superchargers. Our plan for
routes to other cities in the UK is still on target for the end of
the year, but we are also announcing this new initiative in order
to best serve our London-based
customers. We expect customers to be able to travel the length of
the UK for free using our Superchargers within the next 18
months".
Musk said that by the end of the year Model S drivers will be
able to travel almost anywhere in Europe using Superchargers. The company is
energising Superchargers at a rate of close to one per weekday.
More than 125 Supercharger locations are energised worldwide, with
19 locations in Europe. Tesla
Superchargers have so far offset more than 2.5 million litres of
petrol.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, including statements
regarding future store, service centre and Supercharger locations
and capabilities as well as statements regarding sales expectations
in Europe, are "forward-looking
statements" that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These
forward-looking statements are based on management's current
expectations, and as a result of certain risks and uncertainties,
actual results may differ materially from those projected. Various
important factors could cause actual results to differ materially
from those in the forward-looking statements, including potential
difficulties in finding suitable store, service centre and
Supercharger sites, negotiating leases or obtaining required
permits for such locations and customer acceptance of our brand and
vehicles in Europe and
Asia, as well as the risks and
uncertainties identified under the sections captioned "Risk
Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results Of Operations" in Tesla's Form 10-K filed on
February 26, 2014. Tesla disclaims
any obligation to update information contained in these
forward-looking statements.
Press Contact: EUpress@teslamotors.com
Twitter: @Tesla_Europe