About Tesla

Nearly synonymous with the idea of an electric car in the United States, Tesla, inc. continues to be a domineering force in the U.S. EV market, as 68% of new electric vehicles registered in the United States as of August 2022 are manufactured by the company.

The Austin, Texas-based manufacturer of electric automobiles, solar panels, and batteries was founded in 2003 with the purpose of developing an all-electric sports car. According to the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, “Since the company's inception in 2003, Tesla's mission has been to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy.”

The first Tesla product, the Roadster sports car, debuted in 2008, followed by the Model S sedan, which was introduced in 2012. The Model X SUV launched in 2015, and in 2017, Tesla began deliveries of Model 3, a mass-market electric vehicle with more than 320 miles of range. The company’s Model Y, a compact crossover, started deliveries in 2020.

Tesla’s business model is rather unique, as the company doesn’t depend on franchised dealerships for sales. Instead, Tesla depends heavily on direct-to-consumer sales and service, taking advantage of both Tesla-employed showrooms and its website for customization and purchasing options.

The Model S received Consumer Reports’ Best Overall Car award in 2015 and was named the Ultimate Car of the Year by Motor Trend in 2013. The Model X was also the first SUV ever to earn 5-star safety ratings in every category and sub-category in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s tests.

Owning a Tesla also grants drivers exclusive access to the company’s network of over 35,000 Superchargers which, according to Tesla, is the largest global fast-charging network in the world. Tesla says plugging into a Supercharger will recharge the vehicle up to 200 miles in 15 minutes.

Outside of consumer vehicles, Tesla also unveiled the Class 8 Tesla Semi in 2017 (though no deliveries have been made yet), and the company’s alternative pickup, the Cybertruck, was unveiled in 2019. Tesla also produces energy storage products like the Powerwall home battery, the Powerpack commercial-scale battery, and the Megapack, designed for utility-scale applications.

Here’s what to know about the latest Tesla models (as of Q4 2022):

Model 3 – Tesla’s most affordable offering, this four-door sedan is the automaker’s best-selling model. In fact, the Model 3 is the best-selling electric car of all time as of this writing (the Nissan Leaf is No. 2).

Model S – Known for its quick acceleration and overall performance, the Model S sedan is the car many critics see as the car that jumpstarted EV interest in the U.S. Tesla’s Autopilot feature, a form of semi-autonomous driving, made its debut in the Model S in 2014 before becoming available in other models.

Model X – Tesla’s Model X might be one of the fastest-accelerating luxury SUVs on the market, as Tesla claims it can go from 0-60 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds. It’s also well known in the marketplace for its falcon-wing rear doors.

Model Y – The Model Y is Tesla’s crossover option, and it shares many of the same parts as the Model 3. Its interior is similar in style to the Model 3, but offers additional room for hauling people and cargo.

TBA: Roadster – Tesla’s Roadster is said to be coming back onto the market in 2023. Tesla claims the Roadster will be “the quickest car in the world, with record-setting acceleration, range and performance.” Full details on this model have yet to be released, but here’s what we do know: