Tesla: Once a term known only to a small circle of technology fans, today it’s synonymous with futuristic cars that roll silently down the road as if they’ve just stepped out of a sci-fi movie. How far back does Tesla’s history as a major player in electric mobility go?
Tesla Motors (the original name) was founded in 2003 in the heart of the tech world, Silicon Valley. Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning stand by the birth of the company. They had long dreamed of building a sports electric car.
They were inspired not only by GM’s EV1 programme but also by AC Propulsion’s Tzero electric roadster. Their dream became a reality in 2008 when they brought the Tesla Roadster to life. This elegant car could travel up to 320 kilometres on a single charge, and what’s more, it became the world’s first mass-produced electric car with lithium-ion batteries.
Who doesn’t know the name of billionaire visionary Elon Musk and his space company, SpaceX? He entered the electric car game in 2004 as an investor and chairman of the board.
He invested $7.5 million in Tesla in the first round alone. However, he gradually took control of the company, eventually becoming its CEO. Musk’s leadership not only brought new visions for Tesla’s car production but also plans to develop recharging infrastructure and battery technology for the home.
The year 2012 was a turning point for Tesla. Tesla launched the Model S, which became the first electric car to surpass the billion-mile mark without harmful emissions. The Model S offered a variety of battery capacities and performance options.
The P100D version boasted a range of up to 613 km and an acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h of just 2.7 seconds.
But Tesla hasn’t stopped its innovative drive even after its overwhelming success, introducing more models: the Model X SUV, the affordable Model 3 saloon, and the Model Y compact SUV. And that’s not all! There are also plans for the futuristic Cybertruck and the Tesla Semi, an electric lorry with a range of up to 800 km.
Today, Tesla prides itself on being a leader in electric mobility. Its models have set new standards for electric vehicle performance and range.
The company has invested in the construction of Gigafactories, which focus on battery and electric vehicle production. Its Powerwall and Powerpack products are used for household energy storage. These Gigafactories are further evidence of Musk’s commitment to changing the world.
In 2023 , Tesla achieved record growth, delivering 1.81 million vehicles (1,845,989 vehicles to be exact) globally, which was a 19.5% increase over the previous year.
Although Tesla’s sales fell to $21.3 billion in the first quarter of 2024 , net income for2023 reached a record $5.5 billion, representing an astonishing $665% year-over-year increase.
Elon Musk plans to launch a new model in 2025 that should appeal to a wider range of customers. Its price is expected to be around $25,000 (less than 600,000 CZK).
At the same time, Tesla is investing in expanding production capacity and research and development, including projects such as the humanoid robot Optimus.
What began in the US as a dream of an electric car is now spreading around the world. Above all, Tesla is constantly striving to improve its electric cars and technology to stay at the cutting edge of a rapidly changing automotive industry.
For now, we can only speculate on how the next chapter in the exciting story of this unique car company, which is continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible in electric mobility, will unfold. Are you thinking of trading in your old petrol car for something more futuristic? Create the future with Tesla today!
