Tesla— Leading the Way

BY JAMES HOLDEN

I KNOW MORE PEOPLE WHO OWN A TESLA THAN THOSE WHO HAVE CAUGHT COVID-19. IT IS AN ODD COMPARISON, WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE CONTROVERSIES SURROUNDING ELON MUSK AND HIS PROMISE TO DELIVER THE MOST REVOLUTIONARY LINE OF ALL-ELECTRIC VEHICLES, RIVALING OTHER MANUFACTURERS DUE TO ITS BATTERY TECHNOLOGY.

Detractors claim he is unable to meet his pledge, while others prop him up as a genius who is only restrained and inhibited by conventional wisdom and practices.

Even with wild speculation about Tesla’s viability and long-term success, its stock price (TSLA ↑442.15 / 9-18-20) tells a different story and seems to indicate people are investing in the person— not the car.

Similarly, the accuracy of the CDC tracking protocol used for accounting the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic is pinned to notions of questionable reliability and accuracy. It, too, has created doubt about the disease’s etiology, spread, and the efficacy of treatments. With vaccines in the final stages of approval and an expectation of distribution within months—if not weeks—biomedical companies appear poised to make good on their promise.

The public has learned to question the integrity of the media, social networks, and political narratives; for, with all projections and predictions, an idiom of salt should be served. Talk remains cheap, while actions ring the register and improve our lives.

It will be interesting to evaluate my original thesis a year from now.

Tesla deserves credit for its accomplishments thus far; they exemplify the human race’s ability to think beyond today and project what needs to be learned tomorrow. With an eye on the health and welfare of future generations, Tesla and other industries —lead by Musk—are at the forefront of the next industrial, technological, and explorational revolution.

Musk, with his ingenuity, unorthodox ways, unconventional approach to life and work, and his quest to achieve a worldwide ‘zero-emissions future,’ has earned the respect of millions.

But, his insight into advanced neurotechnology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), space-age public transportation, and the colonization of Mars make Musk a person worth watching.

Tesla, perched high above the pedestrian notion that Electric Vehicles (EV) must be boring, ugly, and continuously plugged into an outlet, has broken the mold and hit a triple by offering—or soon to be—superior energy storage, unfathomable efficiency, and state-ofthe-art styling.

A live video webcast of Tesla’s Battery Day event was held on September 22, 2020. Visit tesla. com/2020shareholdermeeting for more information. This month’s tight deadline hindered us from reporting on Tesla CEO’s news and comments from the event, but, don’t fret, we have a beautiful layout and plenty of information to pique your interest and get you thinking about the future.

Happy motoring.

(For full disclosure, the writer owns positions in the company).

ROADSTER • Class: Sportscar • Delivery: Taking Reservations for delivery possibly in late 2021–2022 • Base Price: $200,000 • Founders Series: $250,000— limited availability. • Drive Train: All-wheel drive with two independent motors • Acceleration: 0-60, 1.9 seconds • Top Speed: 250+ mph, ¼ mile: 8.8 seconds • Range: EPA est. 620 miles • Cargo Area: n/a • Quick Charge: n/a • Charging Stations: 17,000 worldwide, more opening weekly

Roadster

MODEL X–Long Range • Class: Sport Utility, 4-Wheel Drive • Delivery: Taking orders • Base Price: $74,690 • Drive Train: All-wheel drive with two independent motors for front & rear wheels • Acceleration: 0-60, 4.4 seconds • Top Speed: 155 mph • Range: EPA est. 351 miles • Cargo Area: 88 cubic feet • Quick Charge: 142 miles in 15 minutes at Supercharger locations • Charging Stations: 17,000 worldwide, more opening weekly

Model X

MODEL S–Long Range Plus • Class: Full-Size Luxury • Delivery: Taking orders for delivery • Base Price: $69,490 • Drive Train: All-wheel drive with dual motors • Acceleration: 0-60, 3.7 seconds • Top Speed: 155 mph • Range: EPA est. 402 miles • Cargo Area: 28 cubic feet • Quick Charge: 163 miles in 15 minutes at Supercharger locations • Charging Stations: 17,000 worldwide, more opening weekly

Model S

MODEL 3–Long Range w/Optional Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive* • Class: Mid-Size–Luxury Sedan • Delivery: Taking orders for delivery • Base Price: $40,690 • Acceleration: 0-60, 4.4 seconds • Top Speed: 145 mph • Range: EPA est. 322 miles • Cargo Area: 15 cubic feet • Quick Charge: 172 miles in 15 minutes at Supercharger locations • Charging Stations: 17,000 worldwide, more opening weekly *With All-Wheel Drive Dual Motor

Model 3

MODEL Y–Long Range • Class: Four-door, 5 Passenger,Wagon • Delivery: Taking orders for 2021 • Base Price: $52,990 • Dive Train: All-wheel drive with independent motors front and mid-vehicle • Acceleration: 0-60, 4.8 seconds • Top Speed: 134 mph • Range: EPA est. 316 miles • Cargo Area: 58 cubic feet • Quick Charge: 158 miles in 15 minutes at Supercharger locations • Charging Stations: 17,000 worldwide, more opening weekly

Model Y

CYBERTRUCK Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive* • Class: Medium Duty Truck • Delivery: Taking orders for delivery possibly in late 2021 • Base price: $49,900 • Acceleration: 0-60, 4.5 seconds • Top speed: 120 mph • Range: To be determined • Exterior Cargo area: 100 cubic ft. • Payload: 3500 lbs. • Towing capacity: 10,000 lbs. • Quick charge: To be determined • Charging stations: 17,000 worldwide, more opening weekly *Future drive train options: Single motor RWD & TRI-motor AWD

Cyber Truck

Semi

SEMI • Class: Class-8 Day Cab • Delivery: Taking orders for delivery possibly in late 2021 • Base Price: $150,000 w/ Range Estimate 300 Miles or $180,000 w/ Range Estimate 500 Miles • DriveTrain: Four independent motors on rear axles • Acceleration: 0-60, w 80Kload, 20 seconds; 0-60, w empty trailer, 5 seconds • Top Speed: Up 5%grade, 60 mph • Range: EPA est. 300 miles /500 miles • EnergyConsumption: ‹2kWh/mile • Fuel Savings: $200,000 ›2-year payback • QuickCharge: Anticipating 400 mile range in 30 minutes at a “Megacharger” at fleet location • Charging Stations: Pending