The story of Tesla Owners UK
A look back at how a handful of early adopters built the thriving Tesla Owners UK community we know today
Tesla Owners UK traces its roots Tesla Owners Group UK was established on Facebook on 28 July 2014.
Founded by Steve Manley, it brought together early adopters who wanted to share knowledge, support one another and make the most of their ownership experience.
As Steve wrote at the time: “Hello and welcome to the TESLA OWNERS GROUP UK. A bunch of early adopters of Tesla Vehicles with a shared interest in making our ownership experience the best we can make it. With very few exceptions (as guests), all of the owners in the group are UK based. There are also a growing number of Tesla employees on here, which means that we see exceptional levels of service from Tesla.”
Within the first year, around 300 members had joined, seeking advice, camaraderie and a place to connect with fellow enthusiasts.
OFFICIAL RECOGNITION AND GROWTH
In March 2016, the club became officially recognised by Tesla and joined the Tesla Club Programme alongside groups in mainland Europe and in the US. The group quickly grew as Model S deliveries ramped up through 2016 and 2017. Events quickly became a core part of the community. They were opportunities to share tech advice and know-how and to make new friends who shared a passion and interest for their Tesla. And it allowed us to enjoy the occasional Jaffa Cake!
Long established members fondly recall the Supercharger Scrambles, when dozens of cars would congregate at newly opened Supercharger sites (complete with the famous candelabra on the refreshments table), and the Gaydon drive-in meetups, where deep dives into Tesla tech and EV driving were delivered in a relaxed, friendly setting. Many long-standing friendships were made during these early days.
A NEW CHAPTER
In 2017, Steve passed on the presidential baton to Will Fealey. This coincided with another wave of Tesla growth and a steady rise in new members. As activity expanded and finances required more formal oversight, the club incorporated and began transitioning to the name we use today: Tesla Owners UK. The club formalised its purpose:
“To advance Tesla’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy whilst also pushing Tesla to improve, change and react to our needs by empowering our members through active discussions, problem-solving and social events.”
Run on a not-for-profit basis, with unpaid directors and a dedicated volunteer committee, the club continued to evolve while staying true to its community-driven roots.
EVENTS AND CHARITY SUPPORT
Events continued to be an important part of the club’s identity. In 2018, Tesla Owners UK supported the first ever Fully Charged Show – a partnership that continues today under its new name, Everything Electric. These events, along with the club’s own activities – from local Christmas parades to the Gaydon Drive-in events and VIP rides at Silverstone – have helped raise significant amounts for charities.
The next major milestone came in June 2022 with the creation of Supercharged, the club’s largest member event yet. Not only did this raise the club’s profile, it cemented its status as a fully fledged car club and offered a much-needed opportunity for members to reconnect after the disruption of Covid.
LOOKING AHEAD
Will served as president for seven years, guiding the club through big changes, including the arrival of Model 3 and Model Y in the UK. He stepped down in 2024 with committee member Josh Cunningham steering the club through transition. At the end of 2024, Warren Whyte became president. As Tesla Owners UK celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2026 as the official Tesla club in the UK – and 12 years since the original Facebook group began – the Tesla family continues to grow, evolve and look forward to new adventures including the spectacular new location for Supercharged 2026 at the Millbrook Proving Ground. The next decade promises to be just as exciting.
Make sure you check out our events page for future events including factory tours, regional and national events and special ticket offers for members!
This article first appeared in Tesla Torque issue 1 - you can buy your copy from the TOUK Club Shop.
