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By 2004, Musk was funding the initial Series A investment—around $8 million—that launched Tesla. The goal was ambitious: to build the Tesla Roadster, the world's first lithium-ion-powered commercial EV. Despite skepticism from many quarters, the team pressed forward, driven by data and conviction. The design of the Roadster was unconventional, notably with the battery pack placed in an unconventional position rather than under the floor, leading to inefficiencies that would be challenged later on. Yet, the Roadster successfully demonstrated that lithium-ion batteries could power vehicles effectively, breaking the technological stigma surrounding EVs.