His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent has become the first member of the British Royal Family to get behind the wheel of the new Tesla Roadster, the first electric sportscar to go on sale in Europe. The Prince put the car through its paces within the grounds of his London residence, Kensington Palace, the same model which made a star appearance at the British International Motor Show.

The Prince was particularly encouraged by the zero-emission technology being developed by Tesla Motors.  With a 0 to 60 mph acceleration of 3.9 seconds, a 13,000 rpm redline, and the fastest top gear acceleration of any production car tested by Car & Driver magazine in 2007, the Tesla Roadster is unique in providing super car performance, zero emissions and extraordinary efficiency.

Production of the new car has started at the Hethel-plant in Norfolk, UK, and the first models have been delivered to customers in the USA. A total of 250 fully-loaded European specification Limited Signature Edition Tesla Roadsters are now on sale, each priced at €99,000 (excluding VAT). Customers can make a reservation on the Tesla Motors website (www.teslamotors.com), with customers due to receive the Roadster in the UK in May, 2009.