Tesla, Inc. is more than just an electric vehicle manufacturer; it is an icon of innovation and a symbol of the technological revolution in the automotive industry and beyond. Founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, the company gained worldwide recognition under the visionary leadership of Elon Musk.
From the launch of the Roadster, the first fully electric sports car, to the advanced Model S, Model 3, and Model X, Tesla has redefined performance and sustainability standards.
But Tesla is not limited to cars; the company is also at the forefront of renewable energy with products like the Powerwall and Solar Roof, aimed at transforming how we generate and consume energy.
In this text, we will explore some of the most fascinating facts about Tesla, revealing the lesser-known aspects that make this company a true pioneer of the 21st century.
1 – TRIBUTE TO NIKOLA TESLA
During a dinner at Blue Bayou in Disney, co-founder Eberhard had the idea for the company’s name, which was formally established on July 1, 2003. The name pays tribute to Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), the Serbian inventor and engineer responsible for developing the first modern alternating current (AC) motor.
In an early version of Tesla Motors’ website, the company leaders stated: “Without Tesla’s vision and talent, our car would not have been possible”.
2 – INITIAL INVESTMENTS
Elon Musk, a graduate in Economics from the Wharton School, led Tesla’s first investment round in 2004 and chaired the company’s board. Additionally, he acted as the primary investor, personally funding most of the capital with a US$7.5 million contribution.
3 – CONFRONTING OIL DEPENDENCE
Although Elon Musk is often associated with Tesla Motors as the CEO and creator of the company’s products, Tesla existed before his arrival. Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning founded Tesla in 2003 with the goal of addressing a real problem: oil dependence.
4 – WORLD’S FIRST SELF-DRIVING CAR
Google, a search giant, is aggressively entering the automotive sector, with a particular focus on autonomous vehicles. The company is intensely committed to developing the world’s first fully autonomous car.
Larry Page, Google’s co-founder, has a great fascination with self-driving cars and electric vehicles. Tesla Motors’ advanced technology, especially its battery innovations, is extremely attractive to Google, which has led the company to attempt to acquire Tesla on several occasions. Larry Page and Elon Musk are friends, and there have been reports that Page tried several times to convince Musk to sell Tesla to Google for substantial amounts.
However, Elon Musk has resisted these offers and chose to keep Tesla Motors as an independent entity.
5 – VERY HIGH SALES
The demand for Tesla vehicles is so high and the expected sales so significant that the company is massively investing in building the world’s largest battery factory, as well as one of the most impressive buildings globally.
Tesla Motors is erecting a 5.8 million square meter plant dedicated to producing batteries for its electric vehicles. When completed, this factory will be capable of producing enough batteries to power 500,000 electric cars annually.
In fact, Tesla’s new battery unit will have the capacity to produce the equivalent of the entire current global production of lithium-ion batteries under one roof, a colossal and remarkable undertaking.
6 – STILL HAS A LOT TO GROW
Despite the great enthusiasm and frequent reports on its progress, Tesla Motors is still a relatively small player in the automotive industry.
Over the past 10 years, Tesla Motors has delivered about 100,000 vehicles to its customers. In contrast, the three major U.S. automakers sold 17 million new cars just in 2015. Additionally, brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz sold about 500,000 luxury cars in the U.S. last year.
7 – ELON MUSK HELPED SAVE THE COMPANY FROM BANKRUPTCY
In a recent shareholder meeting, Elon Musk revealed that Tesla was on the brink of bankruptcy at the end of 2013.
However, whenever it seemed that the company was about to collapse, Tesla Motors managed to find ways to raise the necessary capital to stay afloat. This resilience is particularly positive, considering that the company has also attracted the interest of several other companies for acquisitions in recent years.
8 – LOW MAINTENANCE
Thanks to its electric motors and advanced technologies, combined with Tesla Motors’ limited presence outside California, the company’s vehicles are designed to require almost no maintenance.
Tesla cars do not need oil changes, new air filters, spark plugs, or fan belts. The batteries are so modern and durable that they do not need to be replaced throughout the vehicle’s lifetime.
Additionally, the braking system is designed so that brake pads do not need to be replaced often, as deceleration is achieved through motor reversal, using the brake pads only sporadically.
The only parts that might need replacement are the windshield wipers and tires. Overall, the cars are quite robust.
9 – ELECTRIC SUVs
SUVs are traditionally known for their high fossil fuel consumption, but Tesla Motors aims to change this reality with its upcoming project: electric SUVs. The company has already developed a prototype of a compact electric SUV, the Model X. This prototype, designed to accommodate seven people, features “gullwing” doors and runs entirely on electricity, using only one battery for its range.
However, with a starting price of US$70,000, the question arises: who can afford such an expensive vehicle?
The challenge for Tesla Motors is to continue developing vehicles that are affordable for a broader and more diverse audience.
Time will tell if this goal will be achieved, but the idea of an electric SUV is certainly fascinating.
10 – EXTREMELY SAFE VEHICLES
In addition to its advanced components and technologies, Tesla vehicles are extremely safe. The safety of Tesla cars is impressive: the Model S received the highest safety rating ever assigned to a car by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. During tests, some of the equipment used broke. In a roof strength test, the testing machine was damaged upon reaching its maximum capacity, but the Model S’s roof remained intact.
Elon Musk and Tesla Motors engineers claim that their goal is to transform the automotive industry, not only through the use of electricity to power the cars but also with innovation in design and occupant protection.
Tesla stands out not only as a pioneer in electric vehicles but also as a transformative force in the technology and energy industries. With its innovative approach and focus on sustainability, the company has redefined the concept of mobility, introducing advanced technologies like autonomous driving and long-range battery systems. Moreover, its initiatives in renewable energy, such as solar panels and the Powerwall, demonstrate a commitment to a greener and more sustainable future.
Tesla’s trajectory reflects an impressive combination of vision, audacity, and dedication to innovation, making it an icon of the modern technological revolution.
By continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible, Tesla is not only shaping the present but also opening doors to a more efficient and ecological future.