2017 feels like another era these days, but if you cast your mind back that far, you might remember Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s vaporware Roadster 2.0. Full of nonsensical-sounding features that impressed people who know a little bit about rockets but nothing about cars, the $200,000 electric car promised to have a suction fan and “cold gas thrusters,” plus 620 miles (1,000 km) of range and a whole load of other stuff that’s never happening.
Plenty of other electric automakers have introduced electric hypercars in the eight years since Musk declared the second Roadster a thing, with no sign of it being any closer to reality, if the latest job postings are accurate. And it seems that over time, a lot of the people who gave the company a hefty deposit—some say interest-free loan—have become tired of waiting and want their money back.
And that’s not quite so easy, it turns out. Musk’s current Silicon Valley rival is the latest to discover this. According to Sam Altman’s social media account, he placed an order for a Roadster on July 11, 2018, with a deposit of $45,000 ($58,206 in today’s money). But after emailing Tesla for a refund, he discovered the email address associated with preorders had been deleted.
It’s interesting to see how much has changed since 2017! Sam Altman’s request for a refund certainly highlights the evolving landscape of technology and consumer expectations. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can shift in the automotive world.
highlights the evolving landscape of technology and consumer expectations. Back then, electric vehicles were still gaining traction, and now they’re at the forefront of the automotive industry. It’s fascinating to think about how quickly innovation can shift perceptions and priorities!
Absolutely! The shift in consumer expectations is fascinating. Back in 2017, the idea of a high-end electric vehicle was still relatively new, but now it feels like the norm, with several companies pushing the envelope on technology and sustainability. It’s interesting to see how quickly innovation can change perceptions and choices in the market.
electric vehicle like the Tesla Roadster was groundbreaking. It’s interesting to see how much the market has evolved since then, with new competitors emerging and advancements in technology. The expectations for performance and sustainability have definitely ramped up!
You’re right, the Tesla Roadster really did set a new standard for electric vehicles. It’s fascinating to think about how much the EV market has evolved since then, with new competitors and advancements in battery technology that have changed consumer expectations.
I completely agree! The Roadster was a game-changer in showcasing the potential of electric performance cars. It’s interesting to see how far EV technology has come since then, with advancements in battery life and charging speeds that were just dreams back in 2017.