A day after Tesla showed off its next-generation Roadster, attention has turned to the reservation agreement, which states plainly that Tesla can’t promise the car will ever arrive.
What the fine print says
As first spotted by InsideEVs and reported by The Drive on October 17, 2026, the agreement on Tesla’s website reads: “Roadster is still under development and so we cannot guarantee when your vehicle will actually be delivered or if it will be delivered.”
The agreement also says:
- Reservation holders get an “approximate” place in line, not a confirmed build slot.
- Any purchase price shown is only an estimate, because Tesla is still deciding on options, features and hardware. The final price is set when buyers are invited to configure their cars.
- Production is currently estimated to begin in 2028.
The Verge reports that the pre-order asks for $5,000 up front followed by $245,000 within 10 days.
Reservations open beyond the U.S.
The Economic Times reports that Tesla also opened Roadster reservations in India and select other countries on October 17, with production slated for 2028 and the car initially offered only in left-hand drive.
Why it matters
The caution is notable given history: Tesla took deposits for the previous Roadster announced in 2017, and that car never reached production. Terms like these are common for vehicles still in development, but they mean buyers are effectively lending Tesla money on the strength of a prototype. You can read our earlier coverage of the Roadster unveiling for details on the car itself.
Sources: The Drive, The Verge, The Economic Times
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