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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-10-027087.txt : 20100625
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-10-027087.hdr.sgml : 20100625
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100625171653
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-10-027087
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100628
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100625
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100625

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Kohler Herbert
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001495013

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-34756
		FILM NUMBER:		10918281

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MERCEDESSTRASSE 137
		CITY:			STUTTGART
		STATE:			2M
		ZIP:			70327

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TESLA MOTORS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001318605
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOTOR VEHICLES & PASSENGER CAR BODIES [3711]
		IRS NUMBER:				912197729
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1050 BING STREET
		CITY:			SAN CARLOS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94070
		BUSINESS PHONE:		650-413-6222

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1050 BING STREET
		CITY:			SAN CARLOS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94070
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-06-28</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001318605</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TESLA MOTORS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TSLA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001495013</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Kohler Herbert</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>MERCEDESSTRASSE 137</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>STUTTGART</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>2M</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>70327</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>GERMANY</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series E Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>19901290</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series F Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2525933</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Right to Buy (Common Stock)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6.63</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-05-11</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-12-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>33333</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each share of the Issuer's Series E preferred stock and Series F preferred stock will automatically convert into .333333 of a share of common stock upon the closing of the Issuer's initial public offering, and has no expiration date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The shares are owned directly by Blackstar Investco LLC, which is 60% owned by Daimler North America Corporation and 40% owned by Aabar Blackstar Holdings GmbH.  The reporting person is a vice president of Blackstar Investco LLC, and disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. This report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficiary owner of such securities for Section 16 or any other purpose.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">1/4th of the shares subject to the option became vested and exercisable on May 11, 2010 and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option shall become vested and exercisable each month thereafter. The option is held by Daimler North America Corporation, and the reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares subject to the option, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. This report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficiary owner of such securities for Section 16 or any other purpose.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>The anticipated effective date of the Issuer's initial public offering is June 28, 2010.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Herbert Kohler</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-06-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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