The electric vehicle revolution is underway and everyone wants in on the action. As virtually every manufacturer rushes to get electrified, one has emerged as the clear monarch, both in terms of sales and creativity. Tesla is the first all-electric carmaker to establish itself as a mass-market manufacturer for the long haul, and it’s here to stay. Since its inception in 2003, the automaker’s unique approaches have caused a stir throughout the global automotive industry. Tesla’s influence in the auto industry is expected to grow in the future, with the business at the forefront of electric car research and striving, at least in principle, for a greener, more sustainable world.
Despite only starting sales in 2008 and barely making a dent in the market for its first car, Tesla quickly gained exceptional notoriety for its commitment to unique, out-of-the-box solutions. Electric vehicles are changing the automotive scene and Tesla’s innovative electric vehicles have debunked many myths about them. While the number of ways that Tesla has disrupted the auto industry is vast, here are ten of the most notable.
Tesla was the first to bring electric vehicles to the mainstream
EVs were once considered “nerdy” and “unhip,” but Tesla has transformed EVs into trendy, sought-after vehicles. His cars have appeared in movies and television shows and are often considered symbols of prestige. Tesla achieved this by creating electric vehicles with a variety of compelling features, including elegant and well-crafted designs, high-tech features, practicality and, most recently, excellent value for money. Additionally, Tesla vehicles have exceptional power and speed, outperforming many gasoline cars.
This move has significantly changed the perception that electric vehicles are boring and uninteresting. Combine that with Tesla’s clever marketing strategies, which always manage to make a splash, and you have a recipe for endless success. As a result of Tesla’s achievements, electric vehicles have become popular and competing automakers are investing heavily in electric vehicles, accelerating the growth of the electric car market.
Has accelerated mass adoption of electric vehicles
You would have laughed if someone had told you in 2008 that the best-selling car in the world would be an electric Tesla. Yet this is exactly what happened, and the Tesla Model Y is now the best-selling electric vehicle in the world. Yes, there were electric vehicles before Tesla, but none of them made a significant impact on the industry until the Model S, followed by the cheaper Model 3 and Model Y.
Before the Tesla effect, electric vehicles were considered impractical and many people were hesitant to adopt them as everyday vehicles; however, this is no longer the case, and electric vehicles are on their way to replace vehicles powered by internal combustion engines in the very near future. Tesla has accomplished this by covering all the bases to make EVs accessible to everyone, and the efforts of Elon Musk and company seem to be paying off.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure has significantly improved
One of the most common criticisms of electric vehicles is the lack of charging infrastructure. While this is largely correct, purchasing a Tesla solves the problem entirely. Tesla’s charging infrastructure is a cornerstone of the company’s disruptive impact on the electric car market, and its visionary Supercharger network has changed people’s perceptions of the practicality of electric vehicles by providing fast and convenient charging. Strategically located along key highways and within urban areas, this network eliminates range anxiety, an EV owner’s worst nightmare.
Tesla’s emphasis on developing charging infrastructure has not only encouraged buyers to view electric vehicles as viable alternatives to traditional cars, but has also prompted other automakers and governments to invest in similar charging networks. Tesla is also opening up its network to other manufacturers, cementing its position as the driving force behind the electric vehicle revolution.
It has made over-the-air updates popular
Many people are unfamiliar with over-the-air software updates for their vehicles, but Tesla has helped popularize them as well. Tesla offers over-the-air updates to keep your vehicle up to date with the latest features. It’s as easy as updating your phone to check for updates: use your Tesla’s center touchscreen to download them over Wi-Fi.
While most people connect this type of software update process to smartphones, Tesla’s use of wireless updates for cars is more than a gimmick. For example, as long as there is no physical damage to the vehicle, your Tesla can undergo remote repairs without needing to visit a dealership. Of course, this type of connectivity has disadvantages, the most important of which is privacy concerns. While the discussion about it will continue, OTA updates for cars are being widely adopted and will soon become the standard.
Has accelerated the development of autonomous vehicles
Self-driving cars have long been considered a “thing of the future” and Tesla is at the forefront of this trend. Tesla isn’t the only company working on self-driving technology, but its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems are probably the most polished options available yet. However, the moniker is somewhat misleading at the moment, and while many people believe that Tesla vehicles can be fully autonomously driven, particularly after seeing demos of the latest FSD version, this potential has yet to be fully realized.
Even with FSD enabled, Tesla vehicles require driver interaction. Summoning is another prominent feature of Tesla cars. This feature allows you to manage your car using a smartphone app, allowing you to get your car out of tight spaces without going inside. Many other manufacturers are following suit with similar capabilities, and while we can’t predict when autonomous vehicles will become a viable option for consumers, we do know that Tesla will be among the first to do so.
It has brought us here. Infotainment systems that use giant screens
This particular trait is a double-edged sword, as it has both supporters and detractors. While some love the all-encompassing central touchscreen, others consider it an unrealistic eyesore. Tesla’s decision to have a single screen control virtually every aspect of the vehicle is even more polarizing, and several manufacturers are taking a hybrid approach.
The original Model S had a 17-inch screen, and all subsequent Tesla’s had one as well. This has also led to the creation of larger screens, such as the 56-inch Hyperscreen in the Mercedes EQS, which spans the entire width of the cabin. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, huge screens in the middle of cars are here to stay, and virtually every new electric vehicle comes with one.
Tesla has made online car buying more common
Nowadays you can order almost anything online, but buying a car online still seems like a strange idea. Tesla wants to change that and its online ordering system offers a number of features that put convenience first, allowing customers to order from anywhere and at their own pace. Its appeal is increased by the inclusion of transparency and customization, as well as the lack of dealer markups and potential cost savings.
Online car ordering has its drawbacks, such as not being able to test drive the vehicle you want, but with consumer behavior changing rapidly, it won’t be long before ordering a car online becomes as common as buy clothes or a phone in an online store.
Introduced the idea of gigafactories
Building an electric vehicle is much different than building a standard ICE-powered vehicle, and since Tesla is the industry leader, other companies are copying its methods for manufacturing the various parts. Since Tesla’s battery production facilities would produce so many batteries that their combined power capacity would amount to billions, or “giga”, the term “gigafactory” was originally reserved for those facilities, but they have since evolved to much more, and Giga Texas already produces Model Ys and more models planned for the future.
Tesla currently runs five gigafactories: three in the United States, one in China, and a new one that is only partially operational in Germany. Big names like Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen are following Tesla’s lead as the industry transitions to electrification. Mercedes has established its own battery production plant in Alabama and VW intends to build six different facilities in Europe by 2030, with an expected output of 40 gigawatt-hours of power capacity per year.
Tesla has emphasized direct sales to customers over dealerships
Car dealerships have long been a component of car sales, but Tesla has chosen a different path, upending the entire concept of car buying. Tesla has altered the way consumers can navigate the process by avoiding the traditional dealership approach, lowering barriers like dealership profit margins, which often add to customer expenses. Buying a Tesla is a more streamlined experience: Buyers can personalize their vehicle, complete setup, and confirm the transaction online through the company’s website.
You can also go to a Tesla store, which is generally located in city centers, and buy your new Tesla there. This strategy has landed Tesla in trouble, as many jurisdictions in the United States prohibit direct sales of cars from the manufacturer. Tesla, on the other hand, seems to be holding its ground and others may soon follow suit.
It has blurred the distinction between a normal car and a supercar
Most people have a pretty good idea of what a supercar is, which is usually a fancy, exotic car that breathes fire, goes fast, and costs an arm and a leg. Enter the Model S Plaid, an electric vehicle with four doors and a basic interior that looks a lot like a regular Model S. When you put your foot down, the beast unleashes, as its 1,020 horsepower allows it to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than two seconds.
This means that its sedan can now outperform virtually all high-end supercars that look and cost much more than the Model S. Some may not consider it a supercar, but the Model S Plaid certainly offers superlatives, and others, such as the Ludic Air Sapphire, have also joined the party in this new market segment, leaving others in their wake.
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Categories: Technology
Source: vtt.edu.vn