PAPER ON TESLA MOTERS BASED ON MY PRESENTATION

TESLA MOTORS

TESLA MOTORS 5

Abstract.

This paper includes the formation and innovation of Tesla Motors which dominated the electric vehicle industry since its debut in 2008. The company follows an open Innovation strategy and cutting-edge technology partnering with major companies like Lotus(Design, plant and Lotus supply chain), Daimler (electric drive and battery systems), Toyota (production system and provide engineer support), Panasonic (Building of Batteries) and Sotira(carbon fiber body). Tesla motors succeeded in making the only electric car which supports long range, sportive performance and design. I’ll also talk about the history and the making of Tesla models (Roadster, Model S, Model X, Model 3, model Y and semi) and the solar energy products. Furthermore, this paper also includes the R&D strategy and the use of OEM products to build a cost-effective product. Also, this report considers the U.S government policies and the strategic partnerships with other companies.

Introduction

In the recent past, global warming has been named as one of the biggest global challenges. This is because of the high amount of green gas produced into the atmosphere. The motor vehicle industry has been rated by UNEP as the most environmental pollutant. This led to research on possible fuel alternatives in the automotive industry. Tesla cars are completely electric supersport cars that use strong and extremely powerful lithium-ion batteries. Tesla motors are these car manufacturer founded in the year 2003 by Americans entrepreneur known as the Silicon Valley engineers. The main aim of this company was to show that electrical energy could be used to power super powerful sports cars producing enough torque while contributing zero emissions to the atmosphere. It was named after the Ac induction motor inventor Nikola Tesla who invented the concept of electrical induction using an electromagnetic field to create rotational energy.

Following the Global environmental summits held by UNEP and other stakeholders, the US aims to have a carbon-free automotive industry by the year 2040. Tesla vehicles are completely carbon-free using electrical energy to power their engines. From the year 2003 until know, Tesla gas produced 3 car models each with an acceleration of more than 94KM/hr and an acceleration time of fewer than 4 seconds (Karamitsios, 2013). The big sporty nature of this vehicles shows that electrical energy can be efficiently and sufficiently used as the sole car engine driver. Recently, the company has branched into the use of solar electrical energy to charge electric batteries used by these cars. Solar energy is a readily available renewable energy source that promotes non-fossil fuel energy. These, in turn, has increased the overall efficiency of these vehicles through the reduction of costs.

Disadvantages of the existing solutions

Currently, more than 90% of the vehicles on our roads are fossil fuel-powered. This has been the cause of immense challenges for sustainable growth. This is due to the ecological damage they pose and being uneconomical. The efficiency of these vehicles is very low considering fuel is nonrenewable hence expensive. Below are the major disadvantages fuel energy cars may suffer compared to tesla motors.

1. Fuel is irreversible and nonrenewable – The primary goals of sustainable development is the use of renewable and readily available energy sources. However, fuel energy is a non-renewable natural resource hence may suffer exhaustion.

2. Fuel energy is expensive- Tesla vehicles use rechargeable lithium batteries. These batteries can be easily and cheaply be recharged using electrical or solar energy and hence increasing the overall efficiency. On the other hand, fuel energy cars require a refill of fuel n exhaustion which is very expensive considering the government regulations and taxation on petroleum products. It also possesses cheap running and maintenance costs.

3. Tesla vehicles possess splendid acceleration, long-range and sporty features that cannot be supported by normal fuel-powered vehicles. Tesla Model 3, for instance, accelerates from zero to 60Mph in less than 4 seconds (Karamitsios, 2013). This quality is nearly unbeatable with only high-end Porsche and Bugatti nearing matching its acceleration.

4. The main disadvantage of fuel-powered vehicles over tesla cars is their severe effects on the environment. Considering that Global warming has become a global nightmare with ozone layer depletion worsening day in the day out. It is very fundamental to care for the environment by not emitting harmful greenhouse gases.

Contribution of Tesla in the current fuel system

In the Butland report on sustainable development and the UNEP recent programs, all countries are to aim at achieving a carbon-free environment. This means running entirely on renewable sources of energy including solar, wind or hydropower (Mangram, 2012). In line with these objectives, the government has an intent to ban all fossil fuel vehicles and replace them with electrical vehicles. Tesla Motors provides a fundamental milestone in line with these objectives by already manufacturing and marketing environmental-friendly vehicles. The company has invested in marketing the three models produced which have helped people gain knowledge of the importance of abolishing environmental pollutant vehicles and embrace electrical vehicles.

Noise pollution is another factor that environmental agencies and policymakers are keen on. Many cities have suffered immense effects caused by vehicles. The combustion of fuel energy in these car engines produces loud noises distracting the peace of the city inhabitants. Tesla motors have offered completely quite vehicles significantly reducing the effects of noise pollution. EV vehicles technology is now gaining grounds following strict governmental and non-governmental policies on the future. Automobile companies are now adopting these new technologies. In the US, the zero-emissions vehicle act is to eliminate the sale of all the gas-powered passenger cars before the year 2040. Tesla is a big contributor to the electrification of the US and projects to electrify 25% of the U.S by 2023 (Van den Steen, 2014).

Discussions

Tesla motors specialize in electric propagated vehicles. It has also incorporated a solar energy subsidiary. It first launched its first completely electric car model in the year 2008. The "Roadster" was the first car model. It was lightweight and comparable to other sporty cars in terms of its acceleration. It produced no emissions since it didn't incorporate the use of any combustion engine. The car's electric motor used as the automobile tool was powered by rechargeable lithium-ion cells. The second model was further improved with Model S comes with a variety of battery options and better stability. Tesla Motors, in turn, built tesla stations whose aim was to recharge tesla cars at no extra costs situated at designated locations.

Tesla motors project a constant improvement both in production and sales. The company is aiming at averaging an average production of one million cars in the year 2019 (Hardman, et al., 2015). Investments in production machinery to help in production is also a priority for the company. With the growing demand for tesla vehicles due to government regulations, Tesla as the leading manufacturer of electric cars should ensure it has enough machinery to satisfy the ever-growing demand. Tesla has also diversified its production to increase the variety it manufactures by recently revealing its first semi-truck which is fully electric. The inclusion of renewable solar energy to help in its manufacturing processes will also efficiently and economically speed up manufacturing. It also has plans to launch a Robo taxi known as the Tesla Network before the year 2020.

Conclusion

Generally, Tesla motors are the future. The large investment made will increase its manufacturing capacity. It also benefits from a competent executive with both administrative and entrepreneurial qualities to ensure the smooth running of the processes. Both the government and its people yearned for this technology which would simultaneously increase efficiency while reducing cost and protecting the environment. In my opinion, Tesla motors is a very innovative company that will lead the world to the goal of a carbon-free environment and the use of renewable sources only.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla,_Inc.- Wikepedia

Open Innovation in EVs: A Case Study of Tesla Motors by ACHILLEAS KARAMITSIOS

Hardman, S., Shiu, E., & Steinberger-Wilckens, R. (2015). Changing the fate of Fuel Cell Vehicles: Can lessons be learned from Tesla Motors?. international journal of hydrogen energy, 40(4), 1625-1638.

Karamitsios, A. (2013). Open innovation in EVs: A case study of Tesla Motors.

Mangram, M. E. (2012). The globalization of Tesla Motors: a strategic marketing plan analysis. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 20(4), 289-312.

Van den Steen, E. (2014). Tesla Motors. Harvard Business School Case, 9-714, 413.