Interesting facts about Tesla that you did not know

Tesla is currently the most valuable car company globally. Ever since its inception in 2003, Tesla has always aimed for a green and sustainable future.Over the years, they have managed to become leaders in the EV market proving that electric vehicles are just as good as gasoline vehicles if not better. From ground breaking record speeds to industry leading safety vehicles, here are top 10 facts that you didn’t know about Tesla.

10. Elon Musk is not the founder of Tesla

When you hear the word Tesla, the first name that pops in your mind is Elon Musk. Although Elon is an innovator and one of most successful geniuses of our time, he is not the founder of Tesla. Tesla was founded by Martin Eberhad and Marc Tarpenning back in 2003. Elon Musk came a year later in 2004 and invested in the company. After this, he joined the company’s board of directors. He has been a leading innovator in the company since then and it wasn’t until 2008 when he was made CEO of Tesla.

9. Tesla vehicles require very little maintenance

Unlike gasoline vehicles, Tesla vehicles require very little maintenance. This is because they have fewer moving parts hence wear and tear is greatly reduced. Take for instance a gasoline vehicle.

They have moving pistons, gears which require regular checkups, spark plugs which need replacement every once in a while, and a battery which needs replacement when depleted.

The fact that Tesla vehicles do not rely on any of these components makes it a sheer pleasure to own. It is for the same reason that they have a very low cost of maintenance. But it is worth noting that replacing damaged Tesla parts can be very costly.

8. Tesla has open-source patents

Patents are intended for individuals or companies to protect their designs and ideas from being utilized by other parties especially competing ones. Well, this isn’t the case for Tesla.

Tesla designs and battery technologies are far ahead of their competition. It would make sense for Tesla to hide their technology and continue dominating but they have in fact done the opposite.

Their patents are open source meaning that they are available to the general public. If we are to move to a greener and more sustainable future, then Tesla has definitely contributed much and they deserve a pat on the back.

7. Tesla is more of a software company

It is interesting that Tesla is more of a software company rather than a mechanical one. When you come to think of it, it is the software that runs Tesla vehicles. In fact their vehicles have a fully fitted ARM custom chip known as the Custom D1 chip.

This chip works in conjunction with other car components to process complex algorithms hence improving artificial intelligence. No wonder Tesla vehicles are the leading car makers in self driving technology. Apart from their cars, their software can also be used in other areas like in the recently announced Tesla Bot.

It is still unknown whether it will be released to the public, but this just shows how their software can have many applications.

6. Largest infotainment screen in any vehicle

Tesla interior designs are unlike any thing in the market. For example, Tesla vehicles do not have a gauge cluster placed in the traditional spot; in front of the steering wheel. Instead it has been integrated into their massive infotainment display. This display measures 17 inches which is absolutely crazy. This puts to shame other leading manufacturers who ship their vehicles with 8 inch infotainment screens. Recently, leading companies like Mercedes have realized the convenience of big screens which they are currently implementing in most of their models.

5. Air filter standards

Tesla vehicles have one of the safest cabins globally. The Air purification system fitted in them, is able to filter out most air pollutants, from viruses to germs and most bacteria. This makes the cabin very safe and contamination free.

It is no wonder Tesla has a very tight fanbase. This is because their mainly focused on consumer satisfaction and this is one of the ways they nailed it.

4. Regenerative braking

Since Tesla solely relies on electric power, this is an advantage as it can easily re-harnessed. One of the genius ways Tesla pulled it off is by using regenerative braking.

This concept works when the car slows down or comes to a halt. Because there is a lot of energy which is bound to get lost. This technology works by harnessing the mechanical energy, converting it into electrical energy and using it to recharge the batteries. It is a very efficient way of using energy which would have otherwise been wasted.

3. Produces the fastest electric vehicles

One of worrying factors that people have had since the inception of electric vehicles, is whether they can still be as fun to drive as gasoline vehicles. Well, Tesla has something to say about that.

Tesla Roadster, which is the most expensive and premium Tesla vehicles of them all broke the 0-60 mph test. It can do 0-60mph (0-100kmph) in an astonishing 1.9 seconds and a quarter mile in about 8.8 seconds. It also has a top speed of over 250mph.

2. One of the youngest car companies.

Of all car makers globally Tesla is definitely one of the youngest. It has barely hit the 20 year mark yet it has managed to be twice as successful as 100 year old car makers out there.

They have achieved so much in very little time which is a huge accomplishment especially considering that they decided to unravel a path that others have come to follow suit.

1. It was inspired by Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla was one of the most successful inventors of all time yet he never got the recognition that he deserved.

He is well known today as the inventor of AC (alternating current) which is so much efficient as compared to DC especially in grid systems. Apart form this, he also made numerous contributions towards physics.

Even Tesla cars have motors that rely on Nikola’s concepts and principles. It would only be fair to name the company after him.