Among electric car enthusiasts, Tesla is definitely a household name. Tesla, which is well-known for its cutting-edge technology, elegant designs, and dedication to sustainability, has completely changed the automotive sector. Even though the fundamentals of this well-known brand are well known to many, there are still a lot of little-known details that are fascinating to learn about. We’ll explore 20 fascinating and surprising little-known facts about Tesla in this post.
1. Nikola Tesla
Despite what many people think, Nikola Tesla was not the inspiration behind the name Tesla Motors. Rather, Nikola Tesla, a Serbian physicist and engineer best known for his contributions to the development of alternating current (AC) electrical systems, was honored with the name of the company.
2. Roadster’s Space Odyssey
Elon Musk also founded SpaceX, which in 2018 used the Falcon Heavy rocket to launch a Tesla Roadster into space. For millions of years to come, the car will keep orbiting the sun as it does now.
3. The Secret Master Plan
The goal of Tesla extends beyond the production of electric cars. In a blog post titled “The Secret Tesla Motors Master Plan,” Elon Musk outlined the long-term objectives of the company in 2006. These included producing mass-market electric vehicles at an affordable price and switching to sustainable energy sources.
4. Autopilot Mode
Tesla’s Autopilot mode, which enables the vehicle to steer, accelerate, and brake automatically, is one of its best features. It’s crucial to remember that even though this is a big step toward autonomous driving, drivers must still pay attention and be prepared to take over if needed.
5. Ludicrous Mode
High-performance Tesla models, like the Model S and Model X, have an option known as “Ludicrous Mode.” This mode gives drivers an incredible driving experience by accelerating their cars from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a matter of seconds.
6. Gigafactories
Tesla runs numerous enormous facilities known as “gigafactories” all over the world. Large-scale battery, electric vehicle component, and energy storage product production is done at these facilities. Tesla created the term “gigafactory” by fusing the terms “factory” and “giga,” which means billion.
7. Over-the-Air Updates
Over-the-air software updates are available for Tesla cars, just like they are for smartphones. This makes it possible for Tesla to keep making improvements to its cars—adding new features, improving performance, and fixing problems without requiring customers to visit a service center.
8. The Powerwall
Tesla offers the Powerwall, a home battery storage system, in addition to electric cars. With the Powerwall, homeowners can store extra energy produced by renewable sources, like solar panels, for use in the off-peak hours or during blackouts.
9. Supercharging Network
Supercharger stations are positioned strategically along major highways and in urban areas by Tesla, which has built a vast network of them. During long-distance drives, Tesla owners can swiftly refuel their cars thanks to these high-speed charging stations.
10. Model 3: Reservation Frenzy
Reaction to Tesla’s 2016 announcement of the Model 3, its more reasonably priced electric vehicle, was tremendous. The business received over 325,000 reservations in less than a week, making it one of the most successful product launches ever.
11. The Gigafactory in Nevada
Gigafactory 1, also known as Tesla’s Gigafactory in Nevada, is one of the biggest structures in the world in terms of square footage. Covering more than 5.3 million square feet overall, it can produce more lithium-ion batteries a year than the entire world combined.
12. The Model S’s Range
The Guinness World Record for the longest range of any electric vehicle is currently held by the Tesla Model S, one of the company’s flagship models. The Model S outperformed all other electric vehicles on the market in 2020 with a range of 647 miles on a single charge.
13. The Autobahn Challenge
Tesla automobiles have demonstrated their performance on Germany’s renowned Autobahn. On this storied road in 2019, a Tesla Model 3 achieved a top speed of 162 miles per hour, setting a new record for electric vehicles.
14. The Gigafactory in Shanghai
China’s first fully foreign-owned auto plant is Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai. By taking this calculated risk, Tesla is able to bypass import duties and enter the biggest market for electric vehicles worldwide.
15. The Power of Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking is a technology used by Tesla vehicles that produces electricity from the kinetic energy generated during braking. This eventually increases the vehicle’s range by recharging the battery and improving overall efficiency.
16. The Tesla Semi
Not only does Tesla prioritize passenger cars, but it also prioritizes commercial transportation. With its longer range and less expensive running costs than conventional diesel trucks, the all-electric Tesla Semi is destined to transform the freight sector.
17. The Cybertruck’s Unbreakable Glass
Elon Musk showcased the Tesla Cybertruck’s “unbreakable” glass by hurling a metal ball towards the windows during the vehicle’s unveiling. But to everyone’s surprise, the glass broke. In spite of this mishap, within a week the Cybertruck had over 250,000 pre-orders.
18. Tesla’s Environmental Impact
Beyond just electric cars, sustainability is a priority for Tesla. By encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, recycling batteries, and incorporating energy-efficient procedures into its manufacturing procedures, the company actively seeks to lessen its impact on the environment.
19. The Tesla Network
Tesla intends to establish the Tesla Network, a ride-sharing service. When not in use, Tesla owners would be able to rent out their cars autonomously thanks to this network, which could bring in money for the owners.
20. The Boring Company
While unrelated to Tesla, Elon Musk’s Boring Company is nevertheless important to note. By building underground tunnels for high-speed transit systems like the Hyperloop, this infrastructure and tunnel construction company hopes to reduce traffic congestion.
As you can see, Tesla isn’t your typical automaker. It has become a true leader in the industry thanks to its dedication to innovation, sustainability, and pushing the envelope of what is conceivable. The intriguing past and exciting future plans of Tesla are only briefly touched upon by these 20 surprising facts about the company. Every year that goes by, Tesla keeps reinventing the auto industry and encouraging people to adopt electric vehicles.