Tesla Motors, the San Carlos, Calif. maker of a high-performance electric car, has raised $45 million more in financing.
The new backing for the car, due out later this year, is led by Technology Partners, a Palo Alto venture firm that has focused on green investments, and Tesla’s own chairman, Elon Musk. Also investing are Palo Alto’s Capricorn Investment Group, a private investment firm, and major existing investors. Two investors we haven’t mentioned previously are Valor Equity Partners, of Chicago, and Compass Venture Partners (larger list of investors here).
See Tesla’s full announcement here:
This is the fourth round of financing, and brings the company’s total to $105 million.
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The company said it has received more than 400 deposits for its Roadster, which will go from zero to 60 mph in about four seconds, and cost $90,000. The additional financing will be used to develop its WhiteStar, a four-door, five passenger sports sedan planned for 2009 and costing $50,000 to $65,000.
Among those making deposits so far are Tesla backers Larry Page and Sergey Brin (co-founders of Google). Others include Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and actor George Clooney.
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