Tesla Model S, the Car That Changed EVs Forever, Ends Production
Key takeaways
- The last Model S and Model X have rolled off the production line in Fremont, California, marking the end of two influential EVs.
- Fourteen years ago, the idea of an electric car was widely considered completely nerdy.
- "The reality is that most electric cars simply haven't been very good," we wrote in our first instrumented test of the Model S back in 2012.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
The last Model S and Model X have rolled off the production line in Fremont, California, marking the end of two influential EVs.
View Photos Marc Urbano|Car and Driver Tesla has officially ended production of the Model S sedan and Model X SUV.Both electric cars changed the automotive industry and how people think about EVs.We've tested myriad Model S models, from the very first car in 2012 to the 1020-hp Plaid variant, and one was also the first EV subjected to our long-term test. Fourteen years ago, the idea of an electric car was widely considered completely nerdy. No shade on the original Nissan Leaf, but that EV had cribbed its personality from the first-generation Prius, environmentally conscious motoring blended with the sex appeal of an orthopedic shoe. Then, suddenly, a bolt from the blue struck the earth.
"The reality is that most electric cars simply haven't been very good," we wrote in our first instrumented test of the Model S back in 2012. "The Model S gets the job done. It's attractive, comfortable, fast, practical, technically fascinating, and not overpriced. Most important, it's not just a good electric vehicle, it's a good car."