Tesla Motors has begun production of the right-hand drive version of its all-electric Roadster, to be launched in the UK later this month.

“The right-hand-drive model is our response to growing demand from high-performance car buyers in the UK who are also interested in their impact on the environment,” said Cristiano Carlutti, Tesla’s Vice President for European Sales and Operations. “Tesla is dramatically expanding its retail footprint in Europe, we look forward to building our community of owners and fans throughout the continent.”

Further to the new right-hand drive system, the Tesla Roadster has also seen a few upgrades for the 2010 model year. These include improvements to noise-reduction materials, a new stereo system and other minor enhancements.

Tesla has delivered about 1,000 Roadsters to customers in 21 countries since the car went first went on sale in 2008. The new RHD version, is available exclusively at Tesla’s Knightsbridge showroom in London but it’s likely some examples will be exported to markets like Japan and Australia and possibly even here in NZ.

Disappointingly, the move to RHD production comes rather late as the current version of the Roadster is due to cease production next year in order for the Lotus factory in which it’s built to receive an upgrade.

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