Tesla Motors launched its first ever electric car in 2008, called the electric Roadster. It was a significant stepping stone for Tesla electric cars as the company claimed a range of 245 miles. That sort of distance on one charge was unprecedented at the time.
The company was named after Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla, who was known for making many breakthroughs in the design of the alternating current electricity supply system. Tesla Motors was founded in 2003 by American entrepreneurs and was funded by several different sources.
The most notable was Elon Musk, the controversial and polarising figure who would go on to become CEO of the company.
Tesla electric cars available now
The company has four battery electric vehicles in its range. They are called the Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y. However, two models are compromised if you want to purchase them in Britain. The Model S and Model X are only available in left-hand drive.
That’s a drawback that might put some potential customers off, and there are other concerns as well. Issues with the Self-Driving semi-autonomous software and Autopilot assistance systems have resulted in Tesla recalling vehicles over safety fears from regulators after reports of fatal crashes.
Tesla has been a pioneer in other areas of electric mobility, establishing a charging infrastructure network with more than 1000 superchargers located in the UK and Ireland. Traditional manufacturers are still in the process of setting these networks up.
One of the most compelling aspects about Tesla cars is the range they can do on a single charge. They are also known for having rapid performance capabilities.
Tesla Model S
This is the fastest car that Tesla makes, and there are two versions of it. The standard car is called the Model S. This has three motors, all-wheel drive and the longest range of any car in the current Tesla line-up. It will do a claimed 394 miles on a single charge. It also produces 679hp and will do 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds and has a 155mph top speed.
The performance version is called the Model S Plaid. This has three motors and all-wheel drive, but a smaller range than the standard Model S. It will do a claimed 373 miles on one charge, which is 21 miles less distance. But that decrease is made up by being even quicker to drive. The Plaid version produces 1034hp and will do 0-60mph in only 1.99 seconds, making it one of the fastest accelerating cars in production. That’s before it reaches the 200mph top speed.
The closest rival is the sensational Porsche Taycan, which more than challenges the Model S in many ways.
Tesla Model 3
The cheapest Model 3 is the Rear-Wheel Drive version. It will do 0-60mph is 5.8 seconds and has a range of 305 miles on a single charge from the standard battery. The second model is the Long Range all-wheel drive version that does 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds. It can do up to 374-miles on one charge from the Long Range battery. The third Performance version has two motors, all-wheel drive and will do 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds. It has 340 miles of range from one charge.
The interiors have set trends in the car industry with technological features that have changed fundamental aspects of how a car operates. All the controls are digital via the 15-inch touchscreen display or the steering wheel. The functionality is meant to improve over time with over the air software updates.
The closest rival to the Model 3 is the very good BMW i4, which is not a car to be underestimated.
Tesla Model X
This enormous SUV is the largest model Tesla makes. It has the most spacious interior, the largest panoramic windscreen in production, and seating capacity for up to seven. There’s a 17-inch touchscreen with left or right tilt and 2200 x 1300 resolution, which is a good package for watching movies. It’s also good for gaming with 10 teraflops of processing power.
There are two versions of the Model X. The standard edition has two motors, all-wheel drive and the longest range of 358 miles on a single charge. It produces 679hp, will do 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds and has a 155mph top speed. The Model X Plaid has three motors, all-wheel drive and a range of 337 miles on one charge. It makes 1034hp and will do 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds.
The closest rival to the Model X is the rather good, but quite ugly BMW iX. Don’t let the looks put you off.
Tesla Model Y
This is the smallest SUV that Tesla makes. There are three versions of the Model Y. The entry edition has rear-wheel drive, and a standard battery that has two different ranges depending on which wheel size you choose. With 19-inch wheels, it has 283 miles of range. However, with 20-inch wheels, it can do up to 267 miles on one charge. It’s the least exciting in terms of performance, with a 0-60mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed if 135mph. A tad underwhelming compared with the other Tesla models in the range, but that’s still quite fast.
The All-Wheel Drive version has more to offer. With Dual Motors and a Long Range battery, it can do 331 miles on one charge. While the 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds is faster, the top speed stays the same at 135mph. It’s the Performance version that’s even faster, though it does come at a cost in terms of range, as it only does 319 miles on a single charge. But 0-60mph takes 3.5 seconds, and with a 150mph top speed, so it’s swings and roundabouts.
The closest rivals include the Audi Q4 E-Tron, Genesis GV60 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. They are perhaps better when compared with probably Tesla’s weakest car.
The future of Tesla
There are a few cars that are set to launch at some point. The first is the anticipated new Roadster, which has been promised for some time but not delivered for several years now. Tesla says it will be the ‘quickest car in the world, with record-setting acceleration, range, and performance.’
The second is the Cybertruck, which is said to be built with an exterior shell called an Exoskeleton. Tesla says it will have ‘better utility than a truck with more performance than a sportscar.’
