The post, which is focused on Tesla, is split into two parts: reviewing the master plan written 10 years ago and evaluating its progress, and second, updating these goals and laying out more specifics. Doing so would allow Tesla vehicle owners to earn money from their cars while they are not in use – a system similar to the car-sharing service, Turo.
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Musk introduced his Master Plan Part Deux by explaining that “we must at some point achieve a sustainable energy economy or we will run out of fossil fuels to burn and civilization will collapse”.
Also on the agenda is an expansion of Tesla’s fleet to cover the major forms of terrestrial transport.
Also in the letter, Musk says he’d like to improve the autonomy function of his cars and use autonomous driving technology in other types of vehicles, like buses.
Integrating rooftop solar with storage means individuals would be “empowered” to be their own utility companies.
“We can’t do this well if Tesla and SolarCity are different companies, which is why we need to combine and break down the barriers inherent to being separate companies”. Sticking to the technics, he does not explore how this would interface with the government-subsidized energy industry. Instead of building a vehicle more affordable than the Model 3, the company plans to build a SUV version of the Model 3 and a new Tesla pickup truck to target consumers. The company is hopeful that Tesla Semi (semi-truck) will deliver a substantial reduction in the cost of cargo transport.
The new public transportation Musk proposes will operate autonomously, decreasing traffic congestion and turning bus drivers into “fleet managers”.
He also vigorously defended Tesla’s Autopilot self-driving system, despite the recent death of a driver in a auto fitted with it.
All Tesla vehicles will be built with the hardware necessary to be fully self-driving, though Musk acknowledged that the software still needs refinement and that regulatory hurdles need to be overcome.
Musk said that sharing vehicles would “significantly offset and at times potentially exceed” the monthly loan or lease cost.
In fact, he implies that private ownership won’t even be necessary, in a somewhat contrary position to what one might expect of a vehicle company owner, writing: “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”.
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Musk also said that he wants the Tesla auto range, which now starts at $70,000 and is backed up with orders, to offer a wider range of electric vehicles.
