Tesla Model S: farewell to the queen that revolutionized the electric car
- Published on 06/02/2026 8:59
- Modified on 06/02/2026 9:01
The Tesla Model S has transformed the electric car into a desirable and credible object against major thermal luxury sedans.
First presented in 2009 as a prototype, the Tesla Model S officially began production in 2012, with the first customer deliveries on June 22 in the United States. It marks a major turning point for Tesla, then a young manufacturer, by becoming the first model developed entirely around an electric architecture. The goal is clear: to prove that an electric car can compete with traditional premium sedans in terms of performance, range, and comfort.
From its launch, the Model S shakes up the norms. Its high range for the time, acceleration comparable to sports cars, and remote software updates radically change the image of the electric car. It quickly becomes the heart of Tesla’s operations and enables the manufacturer to gain industrial credibility while financing the development of more accessible models.
Tesla enters the big leagues
International expansion begins in 2013. On August 7 of that year, the first Model S is delivered in Europe, in Oslo, marking the start of commercialization outside North America. Norway quickly becomes a key market: the sedan reaches sales records there and even becomes the best-selling car in the country some months, a strong symbol of the rise of electric vehicles.
Commercially, the Model S supports Tesla’s growth. In 2013, over 22,000 units are delivered worldwide, a figure that exceeds 50,000 annual units in 2015. While its volumes remain modest compared to current standards dominated by the Model 3 and Model Y, its strategic role is crucial: it has proven that an electric vehicle can be high-performing, technologically advanced, and usable on a daily basis.
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With the evolution of the market and the gradual decline in sales, Tesla plans to stop its commercialization in 2026. However, the Model S leaves a considerable legacy. It has paved the way for the massive electrification of the automotive sector and forced the entire industry to accelerate its transition. More than just a model, it will remain as the car that has permanently changed the perception of electric mobility. It is now time for it to become a collector’s item.
READ ALSO: Tesla announces the end of the Model S and Model X
This page is translated from the original post "Tesla Model S : adieu à la reine qui a révolutionné la voiture électrique" in French.
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