In 2003-2004, Martin Eberhard used AC Propulsion's tZero electric roadster to demonstrate the vehicle's performance to Silicon Valley investors, including a pivotal demo at Buck's of Woodside restaurant. Google cofounders Sergey Brin and Larry Page connected Eberhard with Elon Musk, who owned high-performance sports cars and became interested in the tZero after receiving an email from Tom Gage in January 2004, setting the stage for Musk's involvement with Tesla.
In 2003, Tesla cofounder Martin Eberhard borrowed AC Propulsion's tZero electric roadster to demonstrate its impressive acceleration to venture capitalists on Silicon Valley's Sand Hill Road and at Buck's of Woodside restaurant. Google cofounders Sergey Brin and Larry Page connected Eberhard with Elon Musk, who was intrigued by the tZero's performance and agreed to test drive it in January 2004, marking a pivotal moment in Tesla's founding.