Tesla paved the way for electric vehicle technology and became a top competitor against gas-powered vehicles. Since its first electric model hit the automotive market, Elon Musk, one of the co-founders, has worked hard to bring innovation to an industry that is now filling up with electric vehicles where there once weren’t any. 

Tesla’s website explains Elon Musk’s role in this ever-growing industry. What is his mission, and how will he bring it to life?

The Tesla timeline

While the Roadster was the first Tesla vehicle produced, it was only a sports car offered for racing fanatics. In 2011, Tesla built a Model S Prototype, and it was the automaker’s first daily driver with an electric powertrain. 

The Tesla Model X was announced in 2012, and not long after, it began building its supercharging network of stations across the country. The Model X crossover finally came off the production lines in 2015. That’s also the same year Tesla announced its new autopilot technology, which many automakers today are trying to mimic. 

Its most popular sedan is the Model 3, which is the one mass-produced for an unheard-of price. While most of the Tesla models were going for $70,000 and up, this sedan was priced to compete with many gas-powered options at $35,000. Musk has also announced plans for an electric semi and a cybertruck. 

Elon Musk’s role in the electric vehicle industry

Musk’s biggest move has always been that he didn’t just focus on automotive design and engineering. He focused on a whole system that worked together. Tesla manufactures batteries and solar energy products as well. Plus, he had a hand in developing several charging stations sprinkled throughout the nation. 

Automakers who are just now getting into the electric vehicle game are starting on the more level ground. Tesla has been through some rough times since its founding in 2003. It’s made some mistakes along the way, and other automakers benefit from it by knowing some items to avoid and using what they know works. 

Elon Musk’s goal, according to Industry Week, is to produce a massive number of electric vehicles. Musk stated, “My goal is the acceleration of the advent of electric cars.” He plans to continue to be CEO of Tesla for a long time or however long it takes for that dream to happen. 

What makes the company so popular?

Back before other electric vehicles hit the market, Tesla was drawing in customers who were attracted to the thought of not having to deal with gasoline or constantly going in for service checks, as gas vehicles have. But, Tesla continued to improve its technology and brought in an autopilot system, which could drive the car itself.

Tesla then brought speed to the electric vehicle market, something that seemed unheard of before. The 2020 Long Range Plus Model S sedan made waves with its acceleration time of 3.7 seconds on a 0 to 60 mph run. The Performance trim was even more surprising, with a 2.4 second acceleration time. 

Even though more automakers are trying to catch up with electric vehicle offerings, the cars always seem like they are just a step behind Tesla. Musk’s company has already gone through the hardest part of testing each vehicle in its lineup.

Tesla has been around for a while, and it doesn’t look like it has any plans to slow down anytime soon. Elon Musk is determined to see mass production of electric cars saturate the automotive market, so until that happens, you can expect him to make the automotive news many times over with new concepts or improvements.