Video: Tesla Roadster attacks Goodwood in timed run

Then the reserve of the eccentric, electric cars were characterised by their heavy batteries, short range and ridiculous price tags. While the $112,000 Roadster certainly met the latter criteria, with a claimed 244-mile range it was revolutionary.

And just as impressive as its range was its acceleration, as we found out at the 2011 Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard, when a Race of Champions-liveried Roadster took to the hillclimb in a marvellous display of e-power.

Competing in the timed shootout, the sportscar, which is based on the Lotus Elise chassis, silently sped up the 1.16-mile run, reaching the finish line in just 61.09 seconds – not far off the fastest time of the day.