Tesla just unveiled the most important car in the world

Ten years ago, the world would have considered Tesla's new car an April Fools' joke. 

CEO Elon Musk took to the stage of the company's design studio in Hawthorne, California, to unveil the Model 3 - the electric car company's first 'affordable' vehicle. And it's brilliant.

Before Musk had even so much as teased the veil over the bonnet, the Model 3 had already received over 150,000 pre-orders.

Here's everything you need to know about Tesla's world-changing electric car.

How much will it cost?

Tesla is yet to reveal final UK costs, with the official price only given in dollars: $35,000 (£24,423 - but you can expect it to be a smidgen more than that).

Tesla is currently accepting orders from the UK, with a reserve of £1,000. 

Is it any good?

Well, given that the wider world hasn't had the chance to drive it yet, we can only go on the numbers Musk revealed - but they're really impressive numbers:

• Range: 215 miles on one charge
• Zero to 60mph: under six seconds on the most basic model
• Seats: five - and they're roomy
• Five-star crash test safety rating - the safest in its class

How am I going to charge it?

Good question - what's the use of an amazing electric car if it hasn't got the juice to make it down to the shops?

Tesla is looking to install 7,200 'Supercharger' stations worldwide by the end of 2017 - locations that will allow you to top up your car in minutes - with 15,000 location chargers - points that you can park your car and connect to a charger while you go about your day. 

You'll also be able to charge the car from home - so while your petrol bill will evaporate, your home electricity bill might climb pretty steeply. 

When will I get it?

The end of 2017. Probably. 

That's when the Model 3 goes into production, and Musk was "hopeful" in suggesting the first orders would roll out at the close of next year. However, those first cars will arrive on the West Coast of the USA first, before heading east, and then into Europe.

Expect further delays because we're one of the few countries that insist on driving on the left-hand-side of the road. You can read Musk's delivery plan here.