Tesla Motors Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious plan to expand production to include electric trucks and buses, car sharing and solar energy systems. In a blog post titled “Master Plan, Part Deux,” Musk sketched a vision of an integrated carbon-free energy enterprise offering a wider range of vehicles, and products and services beyond electric cars and batteries.
The Master Plan, Part Deux
- Create stunning solar roofs with seamlessly integrated battery storage.
- Expand the electric vehicle product line to address all major segments.
- Develop a self-driving cars that are 10 times safer than manual via massive fleet learning.
- Enable your car to make money for you when you aren’t using it.
The new vehicles range from a commercial truck called the Tesla Semi to a public transport bus, a “new kind of pickup truck” and a compact SUV. The vehicles will be unveiled next year alongside Tesla’s existing fleet of electric cars.
Musk restated his argument that Tesla should acquire solar panel installer SolarCity Corp, where he is a major shareholder, and said he aims to make Tesla’s Autopilot self-driving system 10 times safer than cars that we drive manually.
The plan did not detail how the new projects would be financed at a time when both Tesla and SolarCity are burning through cash.
Musk said he envisions Tesla owners allowing others to use their vehicles through a smartphone application. Rival automakers are pursuing some of these goals as well. Such a service would put Tesla in competition with ride hailing services such as Uber or Lyft.
Musk said all future Tesla products, including trucks and buses will have complete self-driving capability.
In cities where demand exceeds the supply of customer-owned cars, Tesla will operate its own fleet, ensuring you can always hail a ride from us no matter where you are.
Elon Musk, Chief Executive, Tesla Motors Inc
He defended Tesla’s decision to offer what he described as a “beta” system to allow partial autonomy in its vehicles, a system called Autopilot. Federal regulators are investigating Autopilot after a fatal accident involving a Tesla Model S operating with the system engaged.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk introducing the falcon wing door on the Model X electric sports-utility vehicles during a presentation in Fremont, California. (Photo: IANS)
“When used correctly, it (Autopilot) is already significantly safer than a person driving by themselves.”
Musk did not say when fully autonomous Teslas would be ready, but indicated it could require roughly five years of additional testing.
Most major automakers, as well as internet search company Alphabet Inc, are investing heavily in automated driving technology.
Germany’s Daimler AG is working on automated heavy trucks and electric commercial vehicles. General Motors Co and Toyota Motor Corp are among the auto companies working on car sharing and forging alliances with ride hailing companies.
Integrating Energy Generation and Storage
On 21 June, Musk proposed that Tesla buy SolarCity. He outlined a combined company that could provide consumers with the tools for a largely carbon-free lifestyle – electric cars recharged with electricity generated by SolarCity solar panel systems, or stored in the home using battery packs produced by Tesla’s battery Gigafactory under construction near Reno, Nev.
Musk owns 22 percent of SolarCity’s shares, and has outlined plans to offer buyers of Tesla electric vehicles a solar power generation and battery storage system.
To fund projects Tesla sold about $1.7 billion in new shares in May. Much of that will be used to accelerate development of its new Model 3 car lineup and reach a production pace of 500,000 vehicles a year by 2018.
