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EV Pioneer Unimpressed by Tesla's 'Rocket' Roadster
5 Nov
Summary
- A veteran EV journalist finds Tesla's new Roadster unconvincing.
- The latest Roadster promises flight, but its business case is questioned.
- Tesla's focus on novelties overshadows affordable EV development.
John Voelcker, who has covered electric vehicles for two decades, expressed skepticism following the October 15, 2026, unveiling of Tesla's next-generation Roadster. Voelcker, who experienced the groundbreaking 2006 Roadster, found the new model's promised flying capabilities to be a "sideshow" rather than a driver of significant revenue or volume growth.
Voelcker's initial encounter with the 2006 Tesla Roadster convinced him of the EV's potential beyond mere novelties. However, he now points to Tesla's extended development cycles and the stalled promise of a $25,000 EV, initially pledged in September 2020, as missed opportunities.
With Tesla's sales stagnating since 2023 and competition intensifying, Voelcker suggests the company's focus on headline-grabbing features like the flying Roadster detracts from essential mass-market strategies. He believes Tesla may have lost its chance to dominate the affordable EV space against growing Chinese competition.
Despite concerns, Voelcker cautions against dismissing Tesla, acknowledging the company's history of defying expectations. The automaker's development of the Cybercab also shows potential, but the abandoned cheap EV project remains a significant disappointment for the future of accessible electric vehicles.
