While mainstream car makers are talking about a future of electric models, Tesla has already been building them for quite a while. Since 2008 the Tesla Roadster has been available, offering the performance of a supercar but with ultra-low running costs - although the purchase costs ensure this will never be anything other than a very niche model.

Thanks to the success of the Roadster, Tesla is also working on an electric saloon called the Model S, which offers economy and performance but in a more practical bodyshell.