The programme allows companies to lease the Tesla Roadster in some of the most populous European countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. The leasing program covers Tesla’s current models, the Tesla Roadster and Roadster Sport. The companies intend to extend this agreement to include the Tesla Model S sedan, which is expected to be delivered to European customers starting in late 2012.

Based in California’s Silicon Valley, Tesla remains the only manufacturer in the current market that serially produces electric vehicles capable of travelling at ranges greater than 300km. Tesla has already delivered over 1,650 Roadsters in over 30 countries worldwide.

Tesla’s founding goal is to produce more affordable electric vehicles for mainstream, mass-market consumers worldwide. The premium Tesla Roadster supercar is the company’s first production vehicle. The award-winning and critically acclaimed Roadster accelerates faster than sports cars costing twice as much, and its 340km range doubles that of planned EVs from other automakers.

In its aim to move from car leasing towards becoming a sustainable mobility provider, Athlon Car Lease has already initiated the program CHARGED in 2008, which allows its customers to lease electric vehicles. 'Through the collaboration with Tesla we are now able to offer our customers a one-stop-shop in electric mobility. Being aware of the changing mobility needs of our customers, we are continuously trying to extend our CSR and innovation networks throughout the industry. We are therefore very proud to have won Tesla Motors as a partner for Athlon Car Lease to bring EV solutions closer to our customers', said Athlon Car Lease’s president Hans Blink.