Tesla Model 3

Solar car roofs have generally been the reserve of concepts, experiments and niche carmakers. Now Panasonic has developed a solar photovoltaic car roof for the latest Toyota Prius plug-in, upping the wattage to 180 W from the 50 W roof found on earlier Prius models.

2016 was a big year for the electric vehicle. It saw the much-anticipated Tesla everyman EV, production car-previewing EV concepts from major manufacturers, increased driving ranges, new lightning-quick electric supercars, and a few EV world records.

Tesla has made a point of making EVs exciting, rather than just focusing on the environment. The Model S P90D has won fans with its range and luxurious interior, but most of the people who've driven it come away gawping at how fast it is. Now it's even faster, thanks to the addition of a P100D.

​Almost 10 years ago to the day, Elon Musk released the first Tesla Motors Master Plan. It was an optimistic set of goals for a startup car company, but on the most basic level those goals have been met. Now it's time for ​Part Deux​​ of the plan to spring into action. ​

Having launched a range of updates over the air since the Model S launched in 2013, Tesla has released a more traditional mid-life refresh. The entry level Model X has also been updated, with a bigger battery and bigger price to match.

In the week since the Tesla Model 3 was announced, more than 325,000 people have pre-ordered the electric sedan, amounting to more than US$14 billion in projected sales for a car that Tesla won't even start making until late next year.​

At a special launch event in California, Tesla has finally revealed one of the most anticipated cars of the year, the Model 3. Long known as THE electric car company, Tesla is making a major play for the mass market with an electric car the masses can actually afford.

Tesla has a core following with the Roadster and Model S, but March 31 marks the date Elon Musk takes his electric project to a wider audience with the more affordable Model 3. But how did Tesla get here? We've taken a look at some of the things that shaped it along the way.

Tesla's long-term strategy to bring electric vehicles to the masses appears on track, with the company today confirming that its long-anticipated, more affordable Model 3 sedan will be revealed on March 31.

Details have emerged of a new baby all-electric that Tesla plans to add to its stable. Although we have only been able to confirm a 2017 release date with Tesla, CEO Elon Musk has been quoted as saying that the Tesla Model 3 will be based on a new platform and retail for around US$35,000.