Sports car maker Tesla to open London dealership

Tesla Motors is opening a dealership in London, the first of three European stores the electric vehicle manufacturer plans to launch this year.

The London facility will open at the end of May at 49-51 Cheval Place, Knightsbridge, formerly the Segrave Supercar Club.

And the American car maker is scouting sites in Munich and Monaco with deliveries to European customers in late June.

The Tesla Roadster will accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 130mph thanks to electric motor which also helps the sports car average an equivalent of 135mpg with a charge range of 244 miles.

Its green credentials and performance have meant the Tesla has become a hit in Hollywood with George Clooney and Matt Damon believed to be fans of the electric sports car.

The Silicon Valley company recently announced plans to build the Tesla Model S, a stunning four-door super-saloon with elements of Jaguar and Maserati in its styling. 

Tesla CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk said: “We expect that Tesla sales will eventually be split evenly between the US and Europe.

 “Opening three Tesla stores in Europe this year is a critical part of that plan.”

London is a key customer market and premier showcase for Tesla – not only for the Roadster sports car but the Model S, which Tesla expects to produce in 2011.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, a fan of the Roadster, said on Wednesday he hoped to introduce 100,000 EVs and to build 25,000 charging stations in the capital.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown – also familiar with Tesla – said EVs would be one cornerstone of his economic recovery plan.

Tesla’s first showrooms opened last summer in Los Angeles and Menlo Park, California.