The company filed a registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, outlining its plans to sell stock on a US exchange. The offering price, timing of the stock sale, ticker symbol and specific exchange were not disclosed in the company's filing.

Underwriting the IPO are Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank Securities.

Tesla, which has one of the more recognizable brands in the all-electric vehicle market, makes the Tesla Roadster, introduced in 2008. It’s the only federally-compliant highway-capable electric vehicle in commercial production, the company says. Tesla plans to expand its line-up in 2012 to include the Model S sedan.

It intends to base an expanded line of vehicles, possibly including a sport utility vehicle, commercial van or a coupe, on “a proprietary electric power train that incorporates four key components—an advanced battery pack, power electronics module, high-efficiency motor and extensive control software”. The battery pack uses lithium-ion cells.

Through the end of 2009, Tesla had sold 937 Roadsters in 18 countries. It introduced a right-hand drive Roadster last month. More than 2,000 people have reserved a Model S with a $5,000 refundable down payment.

The company has generated $108.2m in revenue from its inception in 2003 through the 30 September 2009. Its accumulated deficit to that point was $236.4m.

Tesla, citing figures from research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, expects consumer preferences and government regulation and incentives to boost the market for electric vehicles. 2015 sales, including all-electric vehicles, hybrid-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, are expected to reach 10.6m units – 14% of new vehicles sold – up from 1.75m units in 2008, equal to 3% of sales.

Tesla has benefited from federal, state and private investment. The company received a $465m long-term loan through the Energy Department’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program, which will finance new factories in California. It also has access to a further $31m in California tax incentives.

In addition to several venture capital investors and founder, chief executive and chairman Elon Musk, investors include automaker Daimler AG, with which Tesla is partnering on vehicle development.

Tesla had 514 employees globally at year-end 2009. The new California factories, the company has said, could employ more than 1,600 people.

Tesla owns dealerships in Los Angeles and Menlo Park, California; Seattle, Washington; Boulder, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; New York City; London; Monaco; and Munich. Owning a dealer network, the company says, is an intentional departure from the traditional automotive business model. It also has established subsidiaries in the UK; Germany; Ontario, Canada; New York; Monaco; and Taiwan.