Tesla Files New Roadster Trademark: What the Shield Logo Means for the Delayed EV

Tesla has filed another trademark application tied to its long-delayed second-generation Roadster, signaling continued progress—or at least preparation—for the electric supercar’s eventual release.

The new filing, submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on April 28, 2026, includes a shield-shaped emblem featuring the word “ROADSTER” at the top and four vertical lines at the bottom. According to the filing, those lines are intended to represent “speed, propulsion, heat, or wind.”

Investor Sawyer Merritt first spotted the trademark, which covers a broad range of products and services beyond the vehicle itself. This includes:

• Electric vehicles
• Charging equipment
• Clothing, footwear, and hats
• Infant apparel

This marks at least the third Roadster-related trademark Tesla has filed in 2026 alone. Earlier applications this year included a stylized “Roadster” script logo and a minimalist vehicle silhouette design. None of these filings have been officially approved yet.

Elon Musk’s Latest Roadster Timeline

During Tesla’s April 2026 earnings call, CEO Elon Musk suggested the company may unveil the production version “in a month or so.” However, he also noted that the Roadster likely wouldn’t become a major revenue driver for Tesla.

Musk’s comments are the latest in a series of delays stretching back nearly a decade. Tesla first unveiled the second-generation Roadster in 2017, promising record-setting acceleration, extended range, and even a SpaceX-inspired option package. Since then, the company has repeatedly teased demonstrations, unveilings, and production timelines, but the vehicle remains unproduced.

Roadster Reservations and Deposit Controversies

Tesla has been accepting Roadster reservations for nearly a decade. Some reservation holders have publicly expressed frustration over difficulties in retrieving their deposits, with reports indicating that Tesla’s Founders Series agreement treated at least part of the $50,000 deposit as non-refundable.

The new shield logo’s resemblance to a large “V” has led some skeptics to jokingly refer to the Roadster as “vaporware”—a term used for products that are announced but never materialize.

What’s Next for the Tesla Roadster?

With multiple trademark filings in 2026 and Musk’s latest promise of a near-term unveiling, Tesla continues to keep the Roadster in the spotlight. However, given the vehicle’s history of delays, skepticism remains high among enthusiasts and reservation holders alike.