Tesla Model S Number One Delivered to First Depositor

By Eric Loveday · June 06, 2012

Tesla Model S #1

Tesla board member Steve Jurvetson took delivery of Tesla Model S #01 last weekend.

Though official deliveries of the 2012 Tesla Model S aren't to commence until June 22, it seems that at least two of the electric sedans have been handed off to some of the earliest depositors.

Last week, Steve Jurvetson, Tesla Motors board member and managing director of venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson, quietly took delivery of Model S number one and has been caught driving in the Silicon Valley area. In fact, Twitter user Evan Moore photographed the Model S in question at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. Jurvetson's Model S wears the personalized "TSLA S1" license plate as pictured above.

Who owns Tesla Model S number two? Well, if you guessed Tesla CEO Elon Musk, then you're right. Though Musk owns the first Tesla Roadster to have rolled off the assembly line, he was not the first to reserve a Model S. That distinction goes to Jurvetson who boldly reserved his Model S back in 2009 at a Tesla board meeting. Reports suggest that Musk's Model S has been spotted on public roads in the Los Angeles area.

For the 10,000-plus Model S reservation holders, the official delivery date of June 22 still stands and perhaps that's why Jurvetson won't comment on the situation.

About the author

Eric Loveday is an automotive enthusiast who is passionate about everything auto. He purchased a 1970 Chevelle at age 16, quickly outgrew its dated engineering and outrageous consumption of gasoline, and sold it off. Eric developed a true passion for automotive writing after graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in print journalism. Eric spent most of his time since then ...

Full bio · 353 posts

Comments

· ??? (not verified) · 50 weeks ago

Elon is a jet setter. I wonder how he's going to make sure the car gets driven often enough before it bricks.

· NeilBlanchard · 50 weeks ago

I think this is a very important moment in the history of the automobile. The Tesla is is merely the halo car for all modern electric cars. It won't be perfect, and we should expect some glitches; but so far so good.

The Model S looks incredibly good. It performs better than any 5 seat sedan under $100K. It is built here in America. It has a Cd of 0.22 (I think?) and the battery is in the floor; both are key features for EV's. The only thing I would change in the design to gain some efficiency, is to make it front wheel drive, to get better regenerative braking.

What is the cell format in the Model S? I thought it was very different from the Roadster? Do they still require active cooling?

Neil

· ex-EV1 driver · 50 weeks ago

@???
Duh! he plugs it in just like his company tells him to. Its pretty easy to do. Most people learn to plug things in when they are less than 10 years old.

· ??? (not verified) · 50 weeks ago

One thing is for sure, ex-EV1, if he forgets to charge it and it bricks he'll get free replacement battery. No 40k expense for him.

Or ... is it possible they have worked the problem out so it WON'T happen ever again? I have yet to read anything in that regard. When I imagine it had happened to my Leaf, I'd freak.

· ex-EV1 driver · 50 weeks ago

@???
I hardly think Mr. Musk is quite the dumb diva that the morons that let their Roadsters run flat are so this discussion is pointless.
It is the same as running an ICE car without oil or into a brick wall. A manufacturer can't protect idiots from everything they might do to their car. Tesla has always made it clear that you should plug your car in when parked for long periods of time. I don't know if they've decided to spend the effort to reduce the chances of this in further models but I, for one hope I'm not paying extra to cover their stupidity. I'd prefer that these idiots with more money than brains just pay their $40K as an "idiot tax" and be done with it.
If this scares you, perhaps you should stick with your tricycle and avoid dangerous things like cars that can cause trouble if not handled properly.

· Tom Moloughney · 50 weeks ago

I guess Dan Neil will have to pay up now!

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/26/elon-musk-bets-dan-neil-1-million-he-...

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