Recognition from one of the world’s most influential magazines arrived for Tesla’s Model S in 2012, the same year the luxury electric sedan first rolled off production lines. TIME magazine featured the vehicle in its Best Inventions of the Year list, marking the first time a Tesla vehicle received this honor.
The Model S wasn’t the automotive industry’s first electric vehicle, but it changed what people expected from EVs. When production started in June 2012, the sedan offered an EPA-rated range exceeding 265 miles on a single charge. This milestone demonstrated that lithium-ion battery technology could power long-distance travel, addressing one of electric vehicles’ biggest challenges.
The Model S proved electric vehicles could finally travel long distances, delivering over 265 miles on a single charge in 2012.
Tesla’s direct-to-consumer sales model altered traditional car dealerships. The company sold vehicles directly to buyers rather than through franchise networks. This approach, combined with the Model S’s performance capabilities, helped establish Tesla as an innovation leader in the automotive sector.
The vehicle’s construction relied heavily on aluminum, with 97% of the body made from the lightweight metal. This design choice contributed to efficiency and performance. The 2021 Plaid variant later showcased the platform’s capabilities with acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in under 2.1 seconds.
TIME’s annual Best Inventions list evaluates hundreds of global innovations. The unranked format highlights products that demonstrate technological advancement and real-world applicability. Automotive entries were historically rare before the electric vehicle era, making the Model S’s feature particularly notable.
The sedan’s influence extended beyond sales figures. By 2015, it became the world’s best-selling plug-in electric vehicle. The Daily Telegraph called it “a car that changed the world” in 2014, recognizing its role in accelerating industry-wide electrification commitments. Motor Trend named it Car of the Year in 2013, further cementing its status as a transformative vehicle.
Major automakers responded to the Model S by developing their own electric luxury sedans. The vehicle established new benchmarks for EV range, performance, and safety standards. It received 5-star NHTSA ratings across all categories. Model S annual costs range between $338-$580, positioning it competitively among luxury electric vehicles for long-term ownership.
TIME recognized the Model S again in 2019, featuring it in the magazine’s 10 Best Gadgets of the 2010s retrospective. This second acknowledgment confirmed the sedan’s lasting impact on automotive technology and consumer expectations. The Model 3 would later join its predecessor in receiving TIME’s recognition in 2017.