Tesla's first few Model S sedans have started rolling out of the company's factory on Friday.

Eight people received the keys to their new Model S vehicles in an invitation-only ceremony at the company's Fremont, California facility.

At the same event, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk announced plans to roll out 5,000 units of the model by the end of the year, plus 20,000 more in 2013.

Tesla's high-end, all-electric seven-seater will go from zero to 60 miles in 6.5 seconds, It has a top speed of 130 miles per hour, with a 4.4-second 60-mph sprint time.

A Forbes report says all 5,000 units have already been sold out from the pre-orders as early as late 2011 – a bulk of which were made by California residents, evenly distributed between male and female customers. Another 10,000 meanwhile are on the waiting list.

Deliveries for the vehicle in Europe and Asia will begin early and mid-2013, respectively.

Available in three variants – with options for a 40-kilowatt-hour, 600-kWh or 85-kWh battery – the Model S starts at $49,900 after available federal tax credits of $7,500. Another variant, the Signature Performance version, includes Nappa leather interior, exterior carbon fiber and special wheels, which cost just below $100,000.

A recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rating indicates that it has an electric vehicle range of 265 miles (426.5 kilometers) for the 85-kWh variant. – EcoSeed Staff