Tesla Model S

The Model S is the car that made legacy automakers afraid. Production began at Fremont in June 2012, with the battery pack laid flat in the floor and early 85 kWh versions rated at 265 miles of range. Motor Trend's judges voted it 2013 Car of the Year unanimously, the first electric car to win the award. Tesla began building its Supercharger network in late 2012 and kept improving cars after sale through over-the-air software updates, and in 2015 the Model S was the world's best-selling plug-in electric vehicle. A big luxury sedan had become the electric benchmark.