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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 DcOS1nz2C46m2HEkwv8/9odOx+q+8zqdX0FG+k3GSYbf+UNEWnrr2YOcyhmH6e22
 NdlzuIlDdSjZVfB5XcIhBQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-10-035866.txt : 20100702
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-10-035866.hdr.sgml : 20100702
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100702143701
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-10-035866
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100702
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100702
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100702

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Buss Brad W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001336664

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-34756
		FILM NUMBER:		10935573

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		198 CHAMPION COURT
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95134

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>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd280653.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-07-02</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001336664</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Buss Brad W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O TESLA MOTORS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3500 DEER CREEK ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PALO ALTO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94304</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-07-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2010-07-02</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>11764</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>17.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11764</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Brad Buss</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-07-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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