Tesla is now in talks with the Chile-based lithium mining firm SQM about the sourcing of further supplies — with the electric vehicle manufacturer reportedly interested in “important volumes,” according to industry figures.
Although Tesla finished the year with record sales, it’s gotten off to a slow start with the Model 3. With a 455,000-person wait list, a lengthy wait lies ahead for plenty of Model 3 reservation holders. Automotive News reports, “That leaves an opening for other EV makers, such as Chevy, to woo away Tesla customers. But it’s not an opening Chevy plans on openly exploiting, the company said.”
Much has been written about Elon Musk’s use of the scientific method and first principles thinking. Oftentimes, Musk is pigeon-holed as a hyper-logical, robotic decision maker. Not true. It’s a misperception that doesn’t align with Musk’s real-world experience at his companies, SpaceX and Tesla. In contrast, Elon Musk displays a boldly wild imagination and high tolerance for risk.
At EVANNEX we always try to design and develop great accessories that Tesla owners will love. But we also try to contribute to the Tesla community by developing useful information that can help Tesla owners better understand their vehicle and the emerging EV marketplace. This mini-tutorial is one example.
After the Q4 earnings call yesterday, Tesla began notifying Model 3 reservation holders that they may have to wait another 6 months or more to get their cars. It that a bomb shell or dud? You decide.
The Tesla Q4 report has upsides and a few humbling nods to the skeptics.
The Tesla Q4 earnings call reported a smaller loss per share and higher revenue. Tesla reconfirmed its Model 3 production targets and predicted significant growth in its solar and storage business in 2018.
We’ve got stories about emissions-sniffing drones, the new Formula E race car, Volvo’s carbon neutral engine plant, a dual-motor AWD Tesla Model 3, Shell’s investment in solar, lower-carbon aluminum production, Indian solar news, DIY shaving cream, natural hangover remedies, and more in today’s cleantech news roundup.
The story of Tesla is a fascinating one by any measure: a group of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs get together to start a car company, a feat that business-school professors have been using as the definition of economic impossibility for decades, and after only a few years they build a company that rivals the Big Three, and a car that earns every accolade the industry has to offer. Of course, there are several near-death experiences along the way to hold our interest.
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy flew for the first time today and made a perfect launch. Both auxiliary rockets returned successfully to earth to be reused at a later date. Inside the rocket, Elon Musk’s personal Tesla Roadster is on its way to Mars, complete with a mannequin driving named Starman.
