Tesla delays Roadster 2 event again due to bad weather
Tesla has postponed the public unveiling of its redesigned second-generation Roadster, moving the Waco, Texas reveal from October 1 to October 15 because severe weather is forecast and the company says the event must be held outdoors. The Roadster is expected to demonstrate integrated cold-gas thrusters developed with SpaceX, which Tesla plans to show in some flying-capability demonstration at the event.
Why It Matters
The Roadster launch has been delayed repeatedly over several years and carries high visibility due to its promised advanced features and the $50,000 reservation deposits taken years ago; any further postponement affects customer expectations and Tesla’s broader product-timeline credibility. The vehicle’s planned use of SpaceX thrusters would mark an unusual crossover between automotive and aerospace technologies, drawing additional attention from both industries.
Key Facts
- New event date: October 15
- Original event date: October 1
- Location: Waco, Texas
- Reason for delay: Forecast severe weather and event must be held outdoors
- Planned technology demo: Integration of cold-gas thrusters from SpaceX to show some flying capability of the Roadster (per Tesla)
Tesla announced it will delay the public reveal of its second-generation Roadster from October 1 to October 15 in Waco, Texas, citing forecasts for severe weather and saying the presentation “can only be held outdoors.” The company said it had been coordinating with local meteorologists before deciding to reschedule. The Roadster’s planned demonstration is expected to include a display of cold-gas thrusters developed in conjunction with SpaceX, a feature Tesla says will allow the car to exhibit some form of flight. That planned outdoor element is the reason Tesla gave for moving the date. The new Roadster has been delayed multiple times since its concept debut in 2017, when Tesla unveiled the model alongside its Semi truck. Tesla collected reservation deposits from prospective buyers — $50,000 standard deposits and $250,000 for 1,000 “Founders Series” units — but the project then spent years without a production timetable. Company leadership later directed a redesign and incorporated the SpaceX thruster idea. Criticism and impatience have accompanied the program; public figures including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have noted long waits for their reservations. CEO Elon Musk has at times pushed back scheduled reveal dates and even considered holding the event on April Fools’ Day to give himself “deniability” in case of another delay. Musk has also said he expects production to be at least a year or more after the vehicle’s eventual reveal.
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