Elon Musk announced that Tesla has made all design and engineering details of the original Roadster “fully open source.” This surprising decision allows enthusiasts and tinkerers alike to explore and potentially replicate the iconic electric vehicle (EV), although as Musk joked, some assembly will be required.
The original Tesla Roadster, which debuted in 2008, marked the beginning of Tesla’s journey into the EV market. The Roadster played a pivotal role in securing Tesla’s position in the industry, allowing it to build the Model S and later the Model X. Now, more than 10 years after the last Roadster was built, Tesla is sharing every detail from owner’s manuals to circuits and connectors related to the original Roadster.
Elon Musk announced the news on X, stating, “All design & engineering of the original Tesla Roadster is now fully open source. Whatever we have, you now have.”
All design & engineering of the original @Tesla Roadster is now fully open source.
Whatever we have, you now have.https://t.co/5d10soAYr8
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 22, 2023
The timing of this release raises speculation about whether it hints at progress with the next-gen Roadster, which was first announced in 2017 and originally slated for production in 2020.
While Tesla has obviously faced significant delays, mostly due to the company’s need to focus on mass-market vehicles like the Model 3 and Model Y, and not a niche product like the Roadster, Musk said earlier this year that the final design and engineering would be completed by the end of 2023. Musk also suggested a potential production start by the end of 2024, however it should be noted that he has a reputation for optimistic timelines, and this could be one of them.
The decision to open source the original Roadster aligns with Tesla’s broader ethos of innovation and collaboration. Tesla had previously taken a semi-open approach to its patents in 2015, promising not to sue for patent infringement under certain conditions. However, this latest move is a more comprehensive effort, even providing access to research and development documents.
You can access all of the documents at service.tesla.com/roadster.
