It’s almost impossible to talk about electric cars today without mentioning Tesla. When the Tesla Roadster was released in 2008, it completely changed how electric cars were viewed. But it was the Tesla Model S released in 2012 that really revolutionized electric driving. The Model S immediately set a new standard for other electric car manufacturers in terms of safety, performance, luxury, and technology. It’s been almost ten years since the Model S was first released, and the buzz around it only gets louder. This begs the question, how did a new car manufacturer like Tesla rise to the top of the list and become so significant? Well, let’s just say Elon Musk is not only good at posting tweets that send the whole internet into a frenzy, but he’s also a visionary leader. While car companies like Toyota have been around for a long time and have created countless different models, Tesla was still very new to the market. The first car they built was the Tesla Roadster, an all-electric sports car, and the second was a luxury sedan known as the Tesla Model S. While still in development, the Model S was codenamed WhiteStar. When it was released in 2012, it showed the world that electric cars didn’t have to be small, expensive, and have a short range. The Model S is a one-of-a-kind vehicle that broke most of the limitations that electric cars had. Instead of building a car that would compete with other electric cars, Musk and the rest of the team focused on making the Model S a high-performing car that would also compete with gasoline cars. Unlike most electric cars before it, the Model S didn’t compromise design for functionality. The car looks gorgeous from the outside, and the interior is designed to match this luxurious design. The Model S not only looks gorgeous, but it is also designed for efficiency, and, according to Tesla, it has the lowest drag coefficient of any car. However, the gorgeous design of the Model S is not enough reason to make anyone want to buy it. At the time, it offered a significant range not seen in any electric vehicle before. When it was first released, the range for the base model had a 208-mile range while the longer-range model could reach 265 miles. By overcoming one of the biggest limitations most electric cars had, the Model S quickly became popular. Of course, this unprecedented range wouldn’t have been possible if not for the powerful lithium-ion batteries that laid the foundation of the Model S. Over the years, Tesla has continued to improve on its battery to increase the range. According to Tesla, the Model S Long Range has an estimated range of 405 miles. Bigger batteries may be better, but they come with their own disadvantages. Unlike traditional gasoline cars that take only a few minutes to refuel, electric cars take longer. To solve this challenge, Tesla came up with the idea of Superchargers. There are a network of charging stations built in different locations to allow Tesla owners to go on road trips. Hence the name, supercharger offers fast charging technology. Another reason why the Model S is so significant is its performance. Consumer Reports set in an early review, quote, At the time, the Model S could accelerate to 60 miles per hour in an impressive 3.9 seconds. It could also reach a top speed of 130 miles per hour. Over the years, the performance of the Model S has improved significantly. The Model S Plaid can reach a top speed of 200 miles per hour. Even more impressive is the 0 to 60 time. It can reach 60 miles per hour in under 2 seconds! That makes it quicker than most supercars! Another feature that makes the Model S so significant is the technology. With Autopilot, the car is capable of controlling the throttle, brakes, and steering in certain situations. Full Self-Driving is still in development and will allow the car to drive completely by itself. All new Tesla cars have the hardware needed for Full Self-Driving. The advanced sensors and powerful computer processors make the Model S an incredibly advanced car. They should add an “I’m feeling lucky” button, which drives you to some random location like a beach, museum, or theme park. The Model S also has internet capabilities allowing the car to add new features and update the car making it safer and more capable with over-the-air software updates. The Model S is also built for safety. It features active security features, such as Automatic Emergency Braking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Model S a 5-star safety rating in every category. The Model S became a huge success. In 2018, over 250,000 Model S units were sold. While the Model S isn’t a cheap car, with a base price of $94,990, it definitely is a very significant Tesla model that revolutionized electric cars.