The Arrival of the tzero
In 2003, at a California racetrack, a bright yellow electric roadster called the tzero from AC Propulsion rolled onto the tarmac. The car was equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack, marking a significant step forward in electric vehicle technology. Among those present was Alan Cocconi, a key figure behind its development.
From Sportech to tzero
The tzero’s roots traced back to Dave Piontek’s Sportech, a lightweight roadster powered by motorcycle engines. When engineer Dr. John Fagan acquired a Sportech, he replaced the engine with an electric motor from AC Propulsion, sparking further interest in electric sports cars.
Eberhard’s Inspiration
Martin Eberhard, an entrepreneur seeking an electric sports car, discovered the tzero and saw its potential. Frustrated that AC Propulsion wasn’t mass-producing the vehicle, Eberhard decided to create his own electric car company—this decision led to the birth of Tesla.
The Birth of Tesla Motors
With support from Elon Musk, Tesla was founded in 2003, using technology licensed from AC Propulsion. The company later unveiled its first production car, the Tesla Roadster, which retained influences from the tzero’s innovative design.
Tesla’s Secret Beginning: The tzero Roadster 🚗
The Arrival of the tzero
In 2003, at a California racetrack, a bright yellow electric roadster called the tzero from AC Propulsion rolled onto the tarmac. The car was equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack, marking a significant… pic.twitter.com/hO0S57cTza— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) October 11, 2024