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Elon Musk promised us a Tesla Roadster so fast it would “break physics.” That was in 2017. It’s now 2025, and the only thing breaking is our patience. Enter Longbow, a scrappy British EV startup that got tired of waiting and decided to build their own. Their lightweight electric Roadster ditches gimmicks in favor of good, old-fashioned driving fun. No SpaceX rockets, no 1.1-second 0-60 claims—just a proper, rear-wheel-drive sports car. Hopefully, it will even beat the Tesla to market.

Longbow isn’t just another vaporware EV startup with wild promises. The team behind it includes ex-Tesla, Polestar, and Lotus engineers—people who actually know how to build cars. The Roadster, which ironically isn’t a roadster at all (it has a fixed roof), weighs just 995 kg (2,194 lbs). That’s featherweight by EV standards, closer to a Lotus Elise than a Tesla Model S. It has a 322-horsepower rear-mounted motor and a 280-mile range. Best of all, it sticks to a tried-and-true sports car formula: rear-wheel drive, simple chassis, and lightweight materials.

The 2,194-pound Longbow Roadster is racing in the right direction

Instead of cramming in an oversized battery, Longbow focused on efficiency. That means no massive screen taking over the dash, no fake engine noises, and no pointless drag race stats. It also means no two-ton battery pack turning it into a land yacht. Longbow sourced its batteries, motors, and brakes from existing suppliers, much like Caterham and Ariel. The result? A modular, repairable EV that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—just make it lighter and more fun.

And then there’s the name. “Roadster” is a direct shot at Tesla’s infamous delays. “A lot of customers have put deposits down for a Roadster they can’t get,” Longbow’s founders said. Their answer? Build one first. If Tesla reservation holders want a refund and an actual car, Longbow will gladly take their money.

The EV world doesn’t need another 6,000-pound “performance” SUV or a 9,000-pound “supertruck.” It needs something like the Longbow Roadster—small, light, and built for people who actually enjoy driving. Tesla may eventually deliver a Roadster, but Longbow is proving you don’t need to wait for Elon’s next tweet to get an electric sports car.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer who brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts. Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.