Factual Overview
Tesla Inc Executive Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk is known for driving one of the company’s most iconic electric cars. Though the answer to the question “does Elon Musk own a Tesla car?” may seem obvious to many, Musk’s tastes can also be surprisingly unpredictable.
Musk has previously made daring automobile purchases such as the McLaren F1 supercar and a Audi Q7 SUV. His current car collection is rumored to include a Porsche 911 Turbo S and a Bugatti Veyron. Despite declaring a preference for gasoline powered cars, Musk has also turned to electric options, with multiple reports throughout the years.
The choice for an electric car trader is not unusual for Tesla’s top executive.
Environmental Considerations
As an avid Tesla fan and longtime CEO, Neil Saunders from GlobalData Retail believes that Musk “owning and using a Tesla car is a clear signal to both his field and customers that he walks the talk.” This can be seen as quite a fitting endorsement of Tesla’s environmentally-friendly initiatives and design capabilities.
Moreover, as awareness of environmental sustainability rises, Saunders believes that Musk’s “bold and positive message is likely to be reinforced with prospective buyers who recognize that such behavior is indicative of a genuine commitment to reducing emissions caused by cars on the road.”
Tesla, along with Musk, have made a conscious effort to reduce emissions and promote the use of electrically powered vehicles in the past years. From creating the world’s quickest production electric car, the Tesla Roadster, to designing the revolutionary ‘Autopilot’ system. These actions magnify the notion that an electric car revolution is indeed on its way.
Musks Interests
In agreement with the idea of Musk promoting renewable energy, GlobalData Retail’s Head of Retail, Jessica Whittaker, suggests that the trend is part of Musk’s lifestyle and he is “a driver of sustainable transport solutions”.
Whittaker also mentions how Musk’s approach to sustainable transportation “is in line with global trends.” As customers currently have the opportunity of managing their energy consumption, they have also noticed an increasing need for vehicles that integrate into customers’ lifestyles.
It is not surprising then that Musk’s wealth, coupled with current global trends, have resulted in him owning a Tesla vehicle. Furthermore, his proactive attitude towards sustainable transportation could potentially be seen as a sign that other leading entrepreneurs are likely to join the company in making advancements towards renewable energy solutions.
Competition
Although Tesla remains the undisputed leader in electric car design and performance, the company is rapidly gathering competitors.
Cynthia Touchstone, senior director of automotive Edge at Frost & Sullivan, claims that “as manufacturers invest in electric vehicles, the range of cars and models increase annually.” She goes on to explain that within the electric car sector there is an “increasing demand for quality and variety” from customers, which Musk and Tesla are striving to meet.
The competition could be seen an indicator of a win-win outcome for the industry and customers, but it also serves as a constant reminder to Musk and Tesla of their need to stay ahead of the curve and never stop innovating.
Financial Considerations
Experts acknowledge that Musk’s wealth and success have played a crucial role in his ownership of a Tesla vehicle.
His worth of over $62 billion according to Forbes, has made it possible for Musk to “treat himself to one of the most expensive and sought after luxury cars of the 21st century, such as the Tesla Model S and X”, says Henrique Zimmermann, JD at AlternativeRide.
The elevating “cost of owning an electric car leaves them out of the reach of most of the population”, as Zimmermann claims. Therefore, Musk’s ownership of a Tesla car reveals how his power and influence have given him the advantage of a model that combines luxury and sustainability.
Safety Features
Many customers admire the financial status of Tesla cars, and businesses can also benefit from them.
The Tesla Model S and X both feature Autopilot, which is a self-driving system, in order to provide owners with a safe and agile ride. Autopilot is built with eight surround cameras, twelve ultrasonic sensors and a forward-facing radar to detect other vehicles and objects. As a consequence, the Tesla Model S and X feature high safety ratings in some of the most stringent driving tests worldwide.
In addition, Musk and Tesla Inc. have ensured their cars are armed with measures such as automatic emergency braking and collision-avoidance systems. This allows drivers to feel more secure on the roads, as this could potentially prevent dangerous accidents from occurring.
Upscale Options
The Tesla product range doesn’t stop at the Model S and X, as the company has created multiple upscale models of the vehicles. Musk’s ownership of a Tesla car could possibly come in the form of a Tesla Roadster or Model X Performance.
The Tesla Roadster is the quickest production car ever made, as it can reach up to 0-60 mph in an extraordinary 1.9 seconds and a top speed of over 250 mph. These characteristics are hard to match and therefore, offer customers the highest performance to date.
The Model X Performance is Tesla’s performance SUV. It provides an unparalleled combination of style, luxury, and Zero-to-60 mph acceleration in just 2.6 seconds.
Extended Range
Tesla strives to provide customers with extended range on their vehicles, as well as taking into consideration the current transport needs of their owners.
The Tesla Model S and X include a battery size range between 100 kWh and 75 kWh, which provide a range of up to 370 miles and 325 miles respectively. This allows customers to take road trips with ease and without having to stop at charging stations as much as vehicles from other brands.
Tesla’s vehicles are constantly being equipped with better batteries as well. The company is also working on extending its Supercharging network through Europe, in order to provide customers with more charging options.
Charging Capabilities
The Tesla Network has enabled the company to provide its customers with an unparalleled charging experience. The owners of Tesla’s more recent models can now enjoy the benefits of installing a mobile charger in their home and/or office, in order to make charging their cars more convenient and less time consuming. By doing so, customers are now able to charge up to 80% of their battery in less than an hour.
However, the company is still striving to make the charging process even easier, as Tesla’s cars become increasingly popular. Tesla is currently working to provide customers with the “V3 supercharger”, an upgraded version of its current charging station. The V3 supercharger is expected to provide its users with a “500-mile charge” per hour, as well as a more efficient heat exchange mechanism.
Furthermore, Tesla is working to supply owners with an additional home charger. The “Wall Connector” allows customers to install the charger on an exterior wall at their dwellings and connect via Wifi from any device. This connector has been designed to reduce a charge time from 10 to 6 hours, which further simplifies the way Tesla cars are charging.
Dynamic Performance
Tesla’s cars are built to perform. The automotive industry has responded positively to the company’s focus on performance, and experts are beginning to recognize the high standards of driving and control Tesla’s cars have.
The cars feature “dual motor all-wheel-drive technology”, as Palmer Worthington, chief engineer at The Vision Council of America explains. This feature “not only provides Tesla owners with better performance and speed, but also increased safety and cornering capabilities.”
Such combination of performance and safety help customers receive the best of both worlds.
The company has also put great focus on ensuring the longevity of their customer’s vehicles. Tesla’s cars have been designed to have a remarkable battery life span, by using “the highest energy density cell technology in the world”, Worthington adds.
The batteries are also able to retain up to 80% of their capacity even after experiencing 300,000 miles of road, according to the experts.
Impact of AI
The potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used by Tesla to its advantage. The company’s vehicles are able to recognize people and objects, thanks to the advance algorithm of AI-based cameras. This allows Tesla’s cars to be equipped with value-added features such as automated emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and lane-keeping assistance.
The combination of the AI algorithm and human-made Tesla software have resulted in cars that can accurately detect, categorize and react to objects in their environment.
This helps Tesla’s cars to achieve an “impressive level of automation” as Andre Rocha, AI expert from Spotify, declares. Rocha goes on to explain how Elon Musk and Tesla have used this technology to “maximize the efficiency, safety and productivity of their automobiles”, as well as making their cars capable of completing common driving tasks autonomously.
Computer Vision
Computer Vision, an AI based technology, is another one of the innovative tools used by the company that stands out.
Tesla and Musk have been able to use Computer Vision to develop a semi-autonomous driving system, with the help of deep neural networks, when it comes to recognizing objects and traffic scenarios in real time.
Computer Vision allows Tesla’s cars to “detect, categorize and recognize objects and scenarios, ultimately helping the car’s driver to stay safe on the roads”, says Paul Hanson, head of the Automotive Research Institute.
Computer Vision also helps Tesla in predicting the car’s behavior and driver’s needs, while also anticipating and avoiding potentially dangerous situations on the roads.
Conclusion
From incredible performance, unparalleled safety features and advances in AI technology, it is clear that Musk’s ownership of a Tesla car is more than fitting for a leader of the green transport revolution.
The car’s popularity and appeal can be attributed to Musk’s enthusiastic leadership and dedication to excellence, as well as Tesla’s team of talented engineers. The combination of Tesla’s uncompromising approach to refinement and Musk’s ambition have resulted in a product that is in demand and highly regarded by experts and customers alike.
