Tesla
Is This Your Business?4.8
5.4
Overall Score
Author: Kaitlyn Short
Tesla is a sustainable energy company owned by Elon Musk that makes electric vehicles. The California-based company’s current lineup is the Model S, Model X, and Model 3. While other electric car manufacturers use large battery pack cells to power their electric motors, Tesla utilizes thousands of small lithium-ion commodity cells.
Named for inventor Nikola Tesla, this is a tech company first and an automaker second. The first Tesla model, wich was released in 2006 and called the Roadster, could go 244 miles on a single charge and accelerate from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds.
Tesla’s wider production models are the Model S sedan and Model X SUV. The newest option, the Model 3, is meant to target a broader audience with a starting price of $35,000. All three models are still considered to be in the luxury car market.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Sustainable
- Safety
Sustainable
Tesla’s sole focus is manufacturing sustainable energy products, even when it comes to cars, and its goal fits into that mold. The company does't offer hybrids—only plug-in, fully electric cars.
As an all-electric vehicle company, users have to think ahead about charging cars. Tesla even offers solar roofing and Powerwall batteries to get for your home and help with powering your car.
Drivers can use EV charging stations; however, Tesla Supercharger stations are optimized to charge faster than regular stations.
Safety
Tesla cars crash tested by the US NHTSA have received 5 stars across the board, on all options: front, side, and rollover. This is rather rare for a company.
Models include rearview video systems, plus forward collision and lane departure warnings standard. Newer models even have dynamic brake support.
All three models have the hardware needed for self-driving. The Enhanced Autopilot will:
- Match traffic speed
- Stay in your lane
- Independently change lanes
- Park itself
- Go to and from your garage on its own
According to Tesla, these autonomous driving features can help you to drive twice as safe as the average human.
While your car includes the hardware, it will be subject to a software update and validation before you use these features.
The Bad
- Test Drive
- Waiting List
Test Drive
If you are the kind of shopper who needs to test drive before purchasing a car, you will likely have a difficult time doing so. There just aren’t as many Tesla stores as there are dealerships for more traditional or longstanding car brands.
For the time being, Tesla dealerships are only located in major cities across the US. However, if you are going to be traveling near a store, or you want to make a trip to see one, you can schedule a test drive online if you wish.
Waiting List
Getting your hands on a brand new Tesla is a whole different experience. You can’t just buy a Tesla and drive it away today. The company’s business model and shopping model is different. It uses a waiting list system for currently in-production models.
If you order a base Model 3, you are likely to have to wait several months, as higher-priced models are being produced and delivered first.
However, if you do order your car in advance, then you wish to cancel or return, you can return it within three days of delivery if it hasn’t been driven.
The Bottom Line
This electric car maker/tech company and its founder, Elon Musk, are two of the most over-exposed and polarizing topics of conversation in the auto industry.
With that being said, here is what we do know: Tesla is making an effort to make sustainable vehicles mainstream and offers the more affordable Tesla Model 3 at a base price tag $35,000. This forward-thinking company makes cars that are capable of incredible safety and autopilot features, even before they are able to be legally used in all jurisdictions.
Review Source
Rocio Diaz Jacksonville, FL
6 years ago
