Over the past half century, many brands have appeared in the United States, whose activities are directly related to the production of cars. But Tesla Motors managed to make a real revolution, turning the perception of what the car of the XXI century should be like.
Today, the car is no longer perceived as a luxury available to extremely wealthy citizens. Nevertheless, in the struggle for engine power, speed and attempts to turn a car into a comfortable four-door "home on wheels", not only the leading car manufacturers, but the entire world economy were tied to an exhaustible natural resource - oil. It is this oily substance, called "black gold", that led to the dependence of human comfort on the impressive monetary costs.
The technological breakthrough that the company made Tesla Motors - only the first steps of a person on the way to complete freedom and energy independence. Tesla is the first brick in the foundation of the house, which will not worry current prices per barrel of oil. But everything could have started 100 years ago.
Nikola Tesla - a man who wanted to change the world
It would be ignorance to talk about the American corporation Tesla Motors without remembering the person whose name it is named after. It is the ideas laid down at the beginning of the last century by Serbian scientists Nikola Teslahelped engineer and entrepreneur Elon Musk revolutionize the automotive world in just 12 years.
Nikola Tesla is rightfully called the second Leonardo da Vinci. He is a "mysterious genius", "lord of lightning" and "tamer of light." It is impossible to overestimate its influence on the life of a modern person. It was thanks to Tesla that the large-scale electrification of the entire planet began. He proposed using a transformer, he is credited with the invention of the first radio transmitter, a description of the first radio-controlled models, the establishment of the principles of robotics, the invention of the counter, speedometer, fluorescent lamps, X-rays, and electric clocks. The number of inventions that belong to the greatest Serbian scientist reaches a thousand. Without knowing it, we continue to use them to this day.
Throughout his life, Nikola Tesla dreamed of enslaving such a natural phenomenon as lightning. He was always fascinated by electricity and he, like a child, rejoiced at his next discovery in this area. Almost all developments with which he associated his experiments, Tesla had two main goals: obtaining cheap energy, which would be available to every inhabitant of the earth and the opportunity transmission of electricity without wires over any distance.
“What is electricity? I still ask myself this question. And still I cannot answer it "
N. Tesla
No one can answer this question today. The answer to the question “what is an electric car” was found more than 130 years ago, and its appearance was recorded in the first half of the last century. IN 1892 Nikola Tesla invents resonant transformerthan actually marked the beginning of an era non-fuel energy... The Serbian scientist explained simply the receipt of energy at the output that is many times higher than the input: “I take it from the ether by gradual cooling”.
After 40 years, Tesla will demonstrate the first working version. electric car... With the support of companies such as Pierce-arrowand General Electric, in 1932 Tesla removes the gasoline engine from the Pierce-Arrow car, replacing it with an electric motor.
A miniature control unit was responsible for providing the car with the necessary electricity: a box measuring 60 x 30 x 15 cm, in which only a few parts were installed. Energy "from the ether" confirmed in practice. The car not only got under way, but also developed a speed that at that time was inaccessible to any automaker.
Thinking about why the non-fuel source of energy, proposed by Tesla, still remains the main contradiction of fundamental physics, and at the same time, scientists from all over the world continue to look for options for obtaining cheap energy, can be infinitely long. Blame the world government, mention the Bilderberg Club or the Committee of 300, complain about the policies of oil exporting countries. IN 2003 year, the world begins to turn over in a favorable direction for the average inhabitant of planet Earth.
Tesla Motors history
The United States of America has been setting trends in the global automotive industry for over a century. Detroit is the center of innovation and the brain of the entire industry. He is known for titans such as: Chrysler, General Motors and Ford... The power and design thought of outstanding engineers would seem to be the eternal source of prosperity for the era of gasoline cars. But scientific and technological progress sooner or later had to influence the obsolete principles of building the engine and the entire infrastructure of cars of the 20th century.
At the beginning of the 70s, several companies appeared on the territory of Silicon Valley, which, after 20 years, would change the human understanding of the world of personal computers. The era of high technology begins. The pioneers, and at the same time the key players, are such companies as: Microsoft, Intel, IBM and Apple... The coup that began in the field of high technologies could not but affect the dependence of hundreds of countries on oil and exhaustible energy sources. At a time when the world is on the brink of a global economic crisis, a new automotive star will light up in Silicon Valley. IN 2003 year, the first brick will be laid in the creation of an automobile concern Tesla Motors - the company, which was based on the principles of creating a "high-tech vehicle". There was no question of an obsolete internal combustion engine.
Despite the popular belief that Tesla was founded by an American engineer, inventor and entrepreneur Elon Musk, the author of the startup, which has turned into one of the most reputable brands of our time, are two comrades: Martin Eberhard and Mark Tarpennin... But without serious investment injections, develop a competitive gasoline cars concern would have been impossible.
IN 2004 year by a startup, which at that time was in the embryonic stage and had nothing but an idea complete refusal to use fuel in the car, Elon Musk became interested.
Elon Musk's desire for constant funding can be explained by his desire to create a new, unlike existing, automobile startup, which would become a revolutionary product not only in the United States, but also in the global automotive industry. A successful businessman already had an electronic payment system PayPal, manufacturer of space rockets - company Space x... The founders of the search giant Google joined the first investors - Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
Investment in the amount $ 7.5 million from the "generous Elon" and he automatically becomes the head of the board of directors of Tesla (the share of Google founders is much smaller). Another year passes and the company requires more financial injections. By investing more $ 13 million, Elon Musk solves existing problems, but the funds are enough only for two years.
At the same time, Tesla enters into an agreement with a renowned company. Lotus, and as a prototype for his debut car he chooses the model Roadster... Like a vacuum cleaner, the company requires new investments and to start mass production, Musk invests another $ 40 millionwith the support of a venture fund Technology Partners.
Alas, the company is simply not ready for the release of the first production car. July 19, 2006tesla is only showing its brainchild in a closed meeting. The official presentation date and at the same time Tesla's birthday is considered to be July 17, 2007.
Tesla Roadster
Tesla Roadster Features:
- Announcement year: 2006;
Mass production: since 2008;
0 - 100 km / h: 4 seconds;
Maximum speed: 201.1 km / h;
300-350 km;
3.5 hours;
Basic version cost: $109 000
The progenitor of the first tesla car Motors has become legendary model Lotus elisereleased english manufacturer back in 1996 and continues to roll off the assembly line to this day.
Essentially, the Tesla Roadster was a "build a constructor using a few new parts" kit. The kits supplied by Lotus (cars without a transmission) were assembled into the first electric car. An electric motor was installed as an engine, and its driving force was accumulator battery, consisting of 6 381 miniature elementsconnected in a secret way. IN 2010 year Tesla has sold the 1000th anniversary Roadster. A year later, the contract, and with it the collaboration with Lotus, came to an end. At that time, Tesla Motors was already fully armed - it had its own factory and dozens of new ideas. Alas, the bright future was still too gloomy.
The company predicted unprecedented success and a real revolution in the industry for the first production car of the company. But in nature everything is natural and the first steps are far from always successful. The Tesla Roadster model entered serial production and was immediately greeted by predatory sharks - automotive experts who managed to significantly undermine the company's reputation.
For four years of production (2008-2012), the company managed to realize 2,250 Tesla Roadsters... Incident with a popular TV project Top Gear (Season 12, episode 7) resulted in a lawsuit. Then Jeremy Clarkson publicly stated that instead of the declared 300 km, the Tesla Roadster is able to drive only 55. Tesla is losing the trial.
IN December 2007of the year Elon Musk is forced to give up the leadership chair to a successful entrepreneur Zeev Drori... It was during this period that Tesla Motors was on the verge of bankruptcy. For the period from 2007 to 2008 Elon Musk invests more $ 70 milliontrying to improve the well-being of his brainchild.
Drori immediately decides to cut staff by 10% and turns the company from a loss-making company into a profitable one. Realizing that the brand is starting to rise from its knees, Musk offers Drori a "business castling": Elon takes the post general directorand Zeev becomes vice president. Not having worked at Tesla for a year, Zeev Drori leaves the company. Tesla Motors needs a new car that can fix the current dire situation. And it becomes the concept shown in 2009 - the car Tesla model s.
Tesla model s
Tesla Model S specifications:
- Announcement year: 2009;
Mass production: since 2012;
0 - 100 km / h: 3.2 - 4.4 seconds (depending on model);
Maximum speed:201-250 km / h (depending on the model);
Maximum distance (1 battery charge): 480 km;
Battery full charge time: 35 minutes (via SuperCharger);
Basic version cost:$62 400
Having managed to establish its own production, Tesla significantly reduced the base cost of the Model S lineup from $ 100,000 to $ 62.4 thousand. But the release of the "car of the future" and the full production cycle within our own plant required additional investment. May 19, 2009 Tesla enters into strategic partnership with carmaker Daimler AG... The 10% share was valued at $ 50 million, but this was not enough. Tesla Motors executives sit down at the negotiating table with the US government in June of that year. Having achieved approval, Elon Musk receives loan in the amount of $ 465 million, which he undertakes to repay by 2018.
The launch of the Tesla Model S car was a watershed in the life of the entire company. Its successful sales (implemented in December 2014 over 55 thousand cars; delivered to the territory of Russia by "gray import" more than 200 cars) allowed the company to gain complete financial independence. Entering an international stock exchange June 29, 2010 further strengthened the company's business: in just 4 years, the value of Tesla Motors shares will increase by 1229% ... The impressive US government loan was repaid in 2013 - nine years ahead of schedule.
Tesla sells about 400-500 Tesla Model S cars weekly. Several modifications of the car appear on the market: with different battery capacities (40, 65, 75 and 85 kWh), an improved novelty Tesla D with two electric motors and "zero start" in 3.2 seconds up to a speed of 100 km / h, as well as incomplete autopilot.
IN february 2012the company announced a new product - the Tesla Model X model, which will appear on the market this year, and in mid-2014 announced preparations for the release of the budget version - the Tesla Model 3 car, the basic version of which will cost $ 35,000.
What's next?
Today the capitalization of Tesla is about $ 21 billionthan such eminent brands as Mitsubishi, Isuzu and Suzuki for a longer history of its development. Tesla vehicles are designed in such a way that practically does not require any service intervention, and the parts that still have to be periodically changed can only be attributed to: wheels, wipers and a battery, the trouble-free operation of which is designed for 7 years, after which the manufacturer guarantees its free replacement.
In 2013, an incident with three Tesla Model S vehicles that caught fire in a crash resulted in a temporary drop in the company's stock. The prompt intervention of Elon Musk and the leading engineers of the concern inspired consumers with confidence that from now on the entire mobile range of electric cars is completely safe (thanks to the installed titanium protection of the battery pack). Stocks soared up again.
Tesla cars are becoming more desirable every day. At record speed, the company is developing an independent infrastructure of filling stations around the world (in the United States, refueling is completely free). Sales of the legendary sedan continue to grow, and the world held its breath before the release of the crossover Model X and budget Model 3... But let's return to the distant 1931.
A brilliant scientist who was 150 years ahead of his time, Nikola Tesla received energy from the ether, making it possible to create a fully autonomous vehicle, which has become a single copy of the Pierce-Arrow, lost in time. In the next 5-6 years, Elon Musk promised to create a completely non-volatile vehicle ( 5.00 out of 5, rated: 2 )
New manufacturers appear regularly. They claim their market share, but they are successfully created competition by Tesla Motors. The company is very popular due to high quality and the advanced power of their vehicles. The history of Tesla Motors has deep roots, from its beginnings to the market leader.
Inception
The company is named after the great inventor and electronics, Nikola Tesla. Cars of this production use the technology alternating current, as the scientist himself did earlier in 1882. Tesla Motors is a company founded by Marco Tarpenning and his colleague Martin Eberhard. At the stages of the first steps, they financed the project before the arrival of Elon Musk. He created the PayPal system. This man attracted large investments in the operation of the firm and became its chairman.
The main goal of Tesla Motors was to release electric carsto transfer them to mass production. Musk took over the development of the flagship Roadster, having worked. Thanks to this, he got around to the Global Green 2006 Product Design Award, and was presented by Mikhail Gorbachev for the thoughtful design of the car. This was followed by the Index Design Award in 2007.
Chronology of development
The history of the creation of Tesla Motors was not without active capital investment. It consisted of the manager's own funds and the help of investors (the head of eBay Jeff Skoll, Capricorn Management, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and others), the volume of which amounted to more than 105 million. In the same year, Zeev Drori tried on the manager's chair, but in 2008 he transferred his Mask. In 2009, Tesla raised $ 187 million to create 147 units of electric cars for sale. May 19 famous firm Mercedes-Benz bought 10% of Tesla shares, and in July Aabar Investments received 40% of its assets.
Everyone knows that the US supports green production, so in June 2009 the company was granted a $ 465 million loan from the Department of Energy. Thanks to this capital, it was possible to enter the production of the S sedan model range and improve the transmission technology. This economic stimulus, initiated by George W. Bush, has allowed Tesla to become the first company without a government debt.
The pinnacle of profitability
At the beginning of 2009, the company announced that it had managed to achieve the maximum profitability in production for that year. This is thanks to the 2010 Roadster, an award-winning sports car improved. September 2009 marked the beginning of a new round, for which 82.5 million were allocated. He had to expand his retail network to increase his market share.
The history of the Tesla Motors car creation is impossible without gliders (transport without the use of power transmission) - this is the main activity of the company. The contract dated July 11, 2005 lasted until 2011, and in 2014 the company gave up its shares.
Strategy
Under the leadership of Musk, the main principle of the company was the production of electric cars focused on mass sales. Dynamics with a decrease in value by ecological cars has become a significant challenge for Tesla. Roadsters were originally priced at $ 109,000, but the company plans to build models in the $ 30,000 range. This line will be called BlueStar. The launch of such production is planned for 2017. It must become widespread and affordable to make vehicles more environmentally friendly.
Battery introduction
Like all electrical devices, Tesla cars use a battery to operate. The main difference between the production of this company is the galvanic type of batteries. Thousands of lithium-ion batteries are stacked together. A similar technology is used in laptops and household appliances... Tesla adopts cheaper manufacturing principles and also reduces the weight of products.
Contrary to popular belief about the dangers of batteries in transport, the history of Tesla Motors vehicles shows that the company provides them with anti-puffing protection and temperature control. For this, a special substance is used that prevents the ignition of batteries, so cars are absolutely safe. Tesla has taken care of the convenience, so the battery pack sits in the floor of the car, unlike other manufacturers' models.
Engine use
The engine used in Tesla cars is a rework of the classic motor that Nikola Tesla designed. It is liquid cooled and operates on alternating current in three phases and four strips. The company's strategy was to create a small engine that would be in many ways more practical than a classic motor. internal combustion... This power plant made it possible to completely abandon the transmission, in favor of direct drive. Tesla cars were a great success and achieved driving speeds of up to 208 km / h.
Safe driving
Over the entire period of the company's work, she has set herself the goal of not only ecologically clean carbut also completely safe. For this, it was decided to use steel in production that would absorb shocks. Additionally, eight airbags were installed, which are throughout the passenger cabin.
The best representatives
The Tesla Roadster is a sports-class product that became the brand's first vehicle in 2006. Model history began in Santa Monica, California. Lotus then helped Tesla create the look of the future car. One hundred units were completed in just one month, and the mass production of vehicles started in March 2008. This electric car was worth $ 100,000. Including until 2012, the flagship held high positions in the sales rankings, until Lotus's contract for sales rights expired.
Tesla model s
This car is a continuation previous model... In 2009 it was introduced in Hawthorne under the name WhiteStar. A branch in Detroit was engaged in the development of transport. The average flagship price was $ 57,400, and the battery came in one of three power options. A year later, the car was awarded the Motor Trend 2013 Car of the Year award.
On February 9, 2012, the company announced a flagship in the form of a fundamentally new crossover, called Tesla Model X. According to Elon Musk, its release will start in 2014. At the initial stages, there were only small batches of an electric car in the plan, but later in 2015 it was decided to organize mass production models.
Unlike the Model S, this flagship had additional seating and automatic opening rear doors. It was decided to replace some of the mirrors with cameras that were energy efficient.
BlueStar project
Initially, the model was called Model E. The release of this electric car is planned for 2016-2017. Its declared value will be $ 40,000. It will provide 230 km of travel on a single charge.
Supercharging
Driving a Tesla car is impossible without a charging station. They can be fully charged in less than one hour. This innovation is actively gaining momentum, spreading throughout the country, and in plans, and in the world.
Tesla Motors is a company with big plans for the future. , development and prospects would have been impossible without Elon Musk, who set a plan for the creation of environmentally friendly transport. He recently announced his readiness to introduce new technologies into car production.
Future models are planned to be equipped with artificial intelligence that will be able to take over driving a vehicle. Also among the ideas of the company there is an expansion of the model range, crossovers and SUVs on an electric drive are being developed.
Tesla Motors became the best company in the field safe transport... Today, the cost of such a car is gradually becoming more affordable, so you should think about buying it. It is worth thinking not even about the preservation of nature, but the real benefits and reliability of such cars, because their refueling does not depend on the unstable cost of gasoline.
Cars powered by electricity have been around since the mid-19th century, and if it weren't for the difficulty of recharging, they could have made healthy competition for their gasoline counterparts. At the beginning of the 21st century, many companies began to promote their electric vehicles, and almost no model could compete with conventional cars in driving performance... But the appearance of Tesla Motors in the arena has somewhat rectified the situation, and many believe that the future belongs to Tesla's electric vehicles. Is it so? - Time will judge! But let's see what Tesla cars can boast of today.
A little about Tesla Motors
It all began in 2003, when two enthusiasts Martin Eberhard and Mark Tarpenning founded a company that is symbolic was named after Nikola Tesla... This scientist designed an electric motor 100 years ago.
From the very beginning, the company's goal was the commercialization of electric vehicles. The first priority was to create a premium sports car, in order to show that electric vehicles can compete even at a high level. Over time, the serial production of such cars in various bodies was planned, which should become available to the average consumer. True, while Tesla-mobiles in normal configuration cost approximately $ 100,000 ...
The guys needed good investments, and they soon turned to Elon Musk. He was very interested in the project, because electric cars can make the world a better place, at least partially removing it from the oil needle. "Okay, I'm in business!" - said Musk, becoming the main shareholder of the president of the company. His enthusiasm and, of course, financial resources gave tesla's future Motors.
Today Elon Musk is the face of the company. He not only made huge investments in this whole enterprise, but also initiated the implementation of some technological and design solutions for Tesla vehicles.
In short, Tesla Motors received proper support and funding, especially after the presentation of the first sports electric car.
They continue to move on a given course and prepare for the release of their fourth electric vehicle. Although it is worth noting the unpleasant fact that the company has been operating at a specific loss in recent years.
What makes the Tesla mobile special
In each model of Tesla's electric car, new chips appeared, which we will talk about later, but the main technological solutions can be traced in the entire model range.
Design
Everyone knows that liquid fuel cars have hundreds of moving parts, but in the case of our electric friends, things are a little simpler - they work only four main systems:
- Energy Storage System (ESS);
- Power Electronics Module (PEM);
- Electric motor;
- Sequential gearbox.
Thus, electric vehicles have less weight, more usable space inside (two trunks) and less chance of breakage due to the relatively few parts.
Autopilot
Tesla's advanced autopilot also deserves attention. The presence of the driver behind the wheel is still not excluded, but Elon Musk promises that the car will soon will be able to drive from one American coast to another without the participation of the driver, who even does not have to recharge - artificial intelligence will do everything.
Tesla Autopilot The autopilot can move along the road, adhere to its own lane, steer and slow down so as not to collide with other cars, control the speed taking into account the traffic intensity and perform many other useful things.
Current models can independently (without a driver) travel up to 12 meters, for example, in order to park or drive into a garage.
Autopilot action:
Minimalism in the salon
The center console is represented by a huge touch screen (size depends on the model), through which the main control takes place. You will not find any toggle switches and buttons. In place of the familiar dashboard, there is also a display with all the necessary information.
The interior itself corresponds to the price of the car, but we will not paint it too much, since there are no comrades for taste and color.
Batteries
A power source is something without which an electric car will not drive. Before that, large voltaic cells were used, but Tesla Motors went a different way. Their cars are battery powered from several thousand lithium-ion batteries made by Panasonic, similar to those used in household appliances. 
In the Tesla Roadster, the battery was located behind the seats, while in the Model S it was placed in the floor of the car. This solution saved usable space and improved handling.
Supercharging network
Tesla car owners should count on long trips, so Superchargers were developed - charging stations for electric vehicles. In the long term, they should be as affordable and common as conventional gas stations.
Today the Supercharging network is well developed in the United States: you can drive from one coast to the other without fear that your battery will run out on the road and there will be nowhere to recharge. Supercharger slowly appears in Europe, Asia and even in Russia such a miracle can be seen here and there.
The battery can be charged in less than an hour.
Originally for tesla owners-mobiles recharging was free, but the manufacturer recently announced that under the new rules, fees will still be charged. To be more precise, each owner of such a car will be given an annual coupon for 400 kWh of free charging, and when the limit is exhausted, they will have to pay out of pocket. Pricing is still unknown.
Tesla lineup
Since 2006, only 4 Tesla-mobiles have been presented and put into production:
- Tesla Roadster sports car;
- Tesla Model S sedan;
- Tesla Model X crossover;
- Tesla Model 3 sedan.
Interesting that to buy a Tesla car, you must leave a request on the company's official website... This is not typical for automotive market, because usually sales take place through dealers.
The debut work of Tesla Motors - the Roadster sports electric car was produced from 2008 to 2012. During this period, about 2,600 vehicles rolled off the assembly line.
The body and chassis itself were borrowed from car lotus Elise. It was a kind of hacking into the stereotype that all electric cars do not have an elegant appearance. Tesla Roadster looks like a real sports car.
The electric induction motor weighs only 32 kg, while the Tesla Roadster can accelerate up to 100 km / h in just 4 secondsand the top speed is 201.1 km / h. You can travel up to 400 km on a single charge. In the basic configuration, it cost $ 109,000.
Due to the peculiarities of the motor reaction, the need for complex gears disappeared. There are only three of them in the Roadster: two forward motion and one back.
In addition to such goodies as heated seats, a stereo system, ABS, the following innovations appeared in this car, which are also in subsequent models:
- A unique code to start the car.
- A special transceiver with which you can control, for example, the opening of a garage door.
- Docking station for iPad.
- Electric door handles.
Interestingly, the first Tesla Roadster at the presentation in 2006 could drive no more than 5 minutes due to overheating of the batteries.
In short, with the release of the Roadster, manufacturers were able to truly declare themselves and demonstrate new technological solutions in terms of the production of electric vehicles.
Tesla model s
This sedan was presented in 2009 during Frankfurt Motor Show, and already in 2012 its serial production began.
Model S can drive through on a single charge 458 km - it became a record among other electric cars. True, for this you need to order a car with an upgraded battery.
The price varies from 75 thousand to 105 thousand dollars.
It was in this car that automatic battery replacement was first demonstrated as an alternative to recharging. This service became available on gas stations Supercharger and costs about $ 80.
Some journalists have already dubbed the Model S the best car. Of course, the claim is controversial, but, for example, in terms of safety, it really outperforms many other cars on the market. All this thanks to design features electric car:
- Lack of combustible fuel - nothing to catch fire!
- Under the hood, the empty storage space is a crumple zone and will absorb most of the impact in a head-on collision.
- The center of gravity is much lower than on other cars, therefore, the likelihood of rollover is reduced.
A distinctive feature of the Model S is the fact that it the first electric car assembled from scratch... For other similar cars, ready-made bases of gasoline models were used.
It's not easy to charge the car from the outlet just like that. To do this, you will have to additionally buy a charging station or constantly visit Supercharger.
The Model S even went to the Big Test Drive:
This electric car has become very popular and has surpassed even such cars as Mercedes-Benz S-class and BMW 7-series in sales. In Norway, the Tesla Model S became the best-selling one in September 2013. This was largely facilitated by governmental support electric vehicles in the form of tax breaks; and high gasoline prices.
Sales of this electric crossover began in 2015. Model X is built on the Model S platform and is available in three trim levels: 75D, 90D, P90D, which mainly differ in battery capacity. Already in the basic version, the car is equipped with two electric motors at once.
The power reserve, depending on the battery, can be up to 411 km, and the maximum speed limit is 250 km / h.
The main feature of Model X is automatic gull-wing doors... This solution not only facilitated access to the vehicle interior, but also reduced the required parking space.
The Model X 70D costs $ 81,000, while the most feature-rich P90D costs $ 142,000.
Tesla's electric crossover was conceived as best car for family and travel. In general, the car came in, given that the demand for the class has increased greatly in recent years. However, it was not without negative - many owners complained about the poor quality of the Model X, problems with the hardware and mechanical faults were mentioned.
Tesla Model 3 sedan
And this electric car at the time of this writing has not yet been released, but has already been presented.
A new platform has been developed for the Model 3 again, and this time the Tesla mobile should be aimed at the mass market. Basic version will cost only $ 35,000.
In terms of driving performance, the Model 3, of course, will be inferior to its older brothers: acceleration to 100 km / h in 6 seconds, the power reserve is 346 km.
Tesla Semi Truck
In November 2017, Elon Musk presented an electric truck.
Problems
Tesla vehicles are undeniably superior to their electric vehicle competitors, but some typical disadvantages they still have. In particular, this concerns a strong loss of charge during even a small idle time of the car and rapid discharge at low temperatures.
Conclusion
It is likely that liquid fuel cars will be gradually replaced by electric cars in a few decades. Tesla was able to show that this competition is real, and successfully continues to delight us with innovative solutions in the automotive industry.
The first electric car appeared almost half a century earlier than its counterpart with an internal combustion engine. But it was only in the 21st century that a competitive electric car model was created. And this is the merit of Tesla Motors.
In July of this year. 10 years have passed since the presentation of the first car of this company - Tesla Roadster. It's a sin not to celebrate the anniversary with a note about the company and the people who created it!
THEY WERE THE FIRST ...
It just so happened: in order for a breakthrough project to succeed, there must be a person obsessed with the idea at its base. In the case of Tesla Motors, there were even two of them: engineers Martin Eberhard and Mark Tarpenning.
Martin Eberhard - CEO - Tesla Motors
Martin Eberhard really wanted a sports car. Certainly electric. In 2004, he manually assembled one and showed it to everyone, coupled with a business plan for an enterprise for the production of electric vehicles.
Mark Tarpenning was concerned about the state of the environment, global warming and the depletion of natural resources. And I saw a way out in transferring humanity to electric cars.
In short, the engineers had ideas. But there was no money.
The situation changed when Elon Musk, a billionaire from South Africa, met on their way. Before the fateful meeting, he created the Pay Pal electronic payments company, launched the SpaceX launch vehicle, and launched the Solar City project for the use of solar energy for domestic purposes. After all this, it looked like a trifle to start the conveyor for the production of electric vehicles.
Co-investors were Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, as well as eBay creator Jeffrey Skoll. It is no coincidence that the breakthrough electric car is called "the brainchild of Silicon Valley." But auto giants - Daimler and Toyota - also invested.
The company was named Tesla Motors in honor of the outstanding American inventor of Serbian origin, electrical engineer Nikola Tesla.
In 2010, the company's shares were transferred to stock market USA.
Schwarzenegger chooses Tesla
In parallel with the production of cars, Tesla Motors began to create charging stations Supercharger, on which the battery of an electric car could be charged in a maximum of half an hour. There are already 370 such stations in the United States, and their density allows you to cross the country from east to west and in the opposite direction, charging the batteries of electric vehicles only on them.
A similar network of stations is being created in Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and Southeast China. In Russia, the appearance of the first Supercharger stations is planned for 2016.
TESLA CARS
On July 19, 2006 in Santa Monica (California) the presentation of the first-born "Tesla Motors" - the electric car Tesla Roadster took place. Created on the basis of the British sports car Lotus Elise S2. At a price of $ 100 thousand, the car is equipped with a motor with a capacity of about 250 hp. and develops a speed of up to 210 km / h. Mileage per charge - 300 km. It accelerates to 100 km / h in 3.9 seconds. It looked quite competitive against the background of its antipodes with internal combustion engines.
Cameron Diaz chooses Tesla Model S
But the real hit was the 5-door premium liftback Tesla Model S. The first presentation took place in Frankfurt at the 2009 exhibition.Since 2012, the electric car has entered the US market. In 2015 alone, over 50 thousand copies of the Model S were sold.
Tesla Model S is a really decent car in all respects. Mileage on one charge up to 500 km. The maximum speed is over 200 km / h. Acceleration to 100 km / h in 4.4 seconds. (at 416 hp).
In many respects, outstanding performance was achieved due to the uniquely low aerodynamic drag coefficient of the electric vehicle body - only 0.24. The appearance of this car did not go unnoticed. In November 2012, Tesla Model S was named Car of the Year by the influential Motor Trend magazine.
Tuned "Tesla" for Sergey Brin
After the Triumph of "Model S" Tesla Motors began to conquer the market
sUVs, and in the IV quarter of 2015, the Tesla Model X was introduced to the market: a crossover with two motors of 259 hp each. ( base model) and mileage on one charge over 400 km. But at the same time, the P90 D modification is equipped with 762 hp engines. and up to 100 km / h. accelerates in just 3.8 seconds!
Tesla Motors also paid attention to the segment of the car market “for the common man”. On March 31, 2016, an electric car was presented at a cost of only $ 35 thousand, which is more than 2 times lower than the starting price of the Model S. In the first week after the presentation, 325 thousand copies of the Model III were ordered. Which exceeds the total number of electric vehicles sold by Tesla Motors during its entire existence.
The new electric car is shorter than the "Model S" and has the same dimensions as the models well known to Russian motorists or. mileage of the "Third Model" with one charge 346 km; acceleration to 100 km / h. - in 6 sec. According to the creators, it has an even lower drag coefficient - only 0.21.
TESLA IS CHOSEN ...
From the first moment of its appearance on the market, Tesla electric vehicles were in demand of the elite buyer. In addition to the iconic figures of the IT industry (Sergey Brin, Larry Page, Elon Musk, etc.), whom God himself ordered to travel to the “brainchild of Silicon Valley”), Tesla Motors products are popular among Hollywood bohemians. One of the first Tesla Roadster models was purchased personally by A. Schwarzenegger. The other owner of the Roadster is none other than Leonardo DiCaprio. And also - George Clooney himself!
But if the Roadster was bought by units, then the Hollywood stars pounced on the Model S like hot cakes on a market day. Among the owners of cars of this brand are Cameron Diaz, Alison Hannigan ("American Pie" remember?), Ben Affleck, etc.
But it's not just Hollywood garages that grace the Model S. The electric car of this brand was chosen by, for example, rapper Pharrell Williams and the socialite, the king of poker, a member of the pro team of the leading gaming room, Canadian citizen Daniel Negreanu.
Little is known about the first owners of Tesla Model X, but it is believed that among them is Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs' associate in founding Apple.
Steve Wozniak in front of Tesla Model X prototype
As for Russia, according to experts' estimates, about 180 copies of Tesla Model S travel across the expanses of our homeland, 80 of them in the First Throne. The main brake in the introduction of new products in the electric car industry is the lack of a developed battery charging network.
What Russian doesn't like driving fast? If only there was somewhere to charge the battery at the end of the run!
Tesla machines produced by the company Tesla Motors since 2012. This miracle of technology is a five-door electric car.
Tesla car from Tesla Motors
The goal of the manufacturer's company is to create the best carin the world, and prove that a car can exist without an internal combustion engine. This is one of the elite sedans, which differs from ordinary cars in a simple, but at the same time unusual design, environmental friendliness and spaciousness.
The developers claim that Tesla auto Is a breakthrough for a global revolution in the automotive industry. Tesla is driven to motion only electric motorwhich is powered by a battery. It is the first sedan in the world to reach high speed without fuel.
The great inventor in the 19th century Nikola Tesla provided the principle of the AC motor. He was able to set the motor in motion using an electromagnetic field. It was this discovery that auto developers took advantage of in creating an electric motor for a car. The company was named after the scientist.
Tesla car - specifications
To date, the company has developed a copper cylinder electric motor with high electrical conductivity. The car's battery is charged from a regular socket. And one charged battery is enough for 560 kilometers. This car accelerates to 100 km / h.
Tesla Battery C
Despite the fact that the power unit is less than a meter in size, it is able to provide tesla electric car high dynamic properties. When driving, the driver experiences a completely different sensation than driving a standard car.
Tesla car device
Tesla's development began with a battery and motor. The car was created from the bottom up. The motor was located near rear wheels... This automatically eliminates the need for a cardan shaft. Thanks to this, Tesla Motors defeated the stereotype of the need to rise under back seat... There is also no gas tank, which is conventional cars takes up a lot of space.
At the same time, there is no transmission, which makes a terrible noise when driving for more high speeds... In the model Tesla S all the space above the floor is free. Due to this free space in the car, you can accommodate not 5 people, as usual, but a maximum of 7 passengers. Also in the petrol engine compartment, near Tesla model S, is a roomy trunk. In addition, the model has standard brakes. But they practically don't have to be used due to "regenerative braking".
It is enough just to release the gas pedal, as the recuperation system is activated and the car slows down. If you press the gas again, the car reacts to the pedal and instantly accelerates. Electric vehicle developers call this “one-pedal driving”.
Tesla salon design
Attracted by the salon tesla car With a touch screen tablet computer installed. The screen is 17 inches and almost all control is done from this display. There are no additional buttons and levers in the cabin. This makes the car interior attractive and free. This monitor provides the highest level of control over the car with just one touch to the screen.
Tesla car photo - center console design
Unlike other car brands, Tesla car does not have side mirrors. Instead of them, video cameras are installed that transmit video to the screen. In the presented model, the passenger doors are made in the form of a gull wing. That is, they open vertically. This is very convenient and makes it possible to open the doors even in a tight parking lot. The only problem is garages with low ceilings or underground car parks.
Unlike others electric cars, Tesla Model S is a family car, and is suitable for everyone who plans not only to drive around the city, but also to travel. This model will also appeal to fans of various gadgets. Because you can control not only from the car display, but also from your smartphone.
Due to its chic design and high cost, the electric car is in demand among businessmen and people with high income. And finally Tesla model s Is the choice of people keeping pace with the times, who are interested in the ecology of the environment and who are ready for an early transition to the transport of the future.
Tesla photo - interior design
Tesla electric vehicle safety systems
At the end of 2013, a car fire was registered due to mechanical damage to one of the battery packs. The developers did not keep themselves waiting and immediately began to make adjustments.
A few months later, in the spring of 2014, they announced that Tesla S design slightly changed. Now a special aluminum bar, a shield and a titanium plate are installed under the bottom. The beam throws obstructing objects on the roadway or softens the impact when hitting a hard and stable object. The titanium plate provides protection for the more vulnerable elements in the front of the vehicle. And the aluminum shield is installed in case the first two elements fail to cope with their task, then the shield takes over and dissipates the impact energy.
In the improvement of Tesla, in the fall of 2015, added to the functionality of "Autopilot" and "Autostreet" - cruise control. These functions allow the car to follow the lane, or change the lane when there are visible markings on the road surface.
How much does Tesla cost?
In addition to the Model S, the company has worked on the development of an electric Tesla crossover Model X and a five-seat Tesla Model 3. If we talk about the price, in America this model is presented from $ 50 thousand. According to official figures buy Tesla car model "S" in Russia will not work.
But nevertheless, about 300 cars have already been registered in the territory of the Russian Federation, Tesla Motors has proved that electric cars are something more than a means of transportation, and very soon we will all switch from diesels and gasoline engines to electric cars.
At one time, the company's production was a colossal explosion Marusya Motors, but, unfortunately, it closed. Therefore, undoubtedly, Tesla Motors is an automotive future that will give everyone clean air, quiet streets, no exhaust and no gasoline!
