Tesla has notified guests that the Roadster demonstration scheduled for October 1, 2026, may be postponed due to adverse weather conditions in central Texas. The event requires an outdoor setting to accommodate the vehicle's hover demonstration, which utilizes SpaceX-developed cold gas thrusters.
Current weather forecasts for the McGregor, Texas, test site indicate an 82% probability of rain and thunderstorms on the scheduled date. Additionally, wind gusts of up to 32 mph are expected, creating conditions that are unsuitable for the remote-controlled flight stunt.
The demonstration involves a prototype vehicle operating without a driver, with spectators required to maintain a distance of several hundred yards due to the high noise levels produced by the thrusters. Tesla has not provided a backup date, stating only that further details will be shared as they become available.
The Roadster program has faced multiple timeline adjustments since the prototype was first unveiled in November 2017. Original production targets for 2020 have been repeatedly pushed back, with recent estimates suggesting production might begin in 2027 or 2028.
Reservation holders have paid deposits of $50,000 for the standard model and $250,000 for the Founders Series. Despite these payments, no vehicles have been delivered to customers in the nine years since the initial announcement.
