Tesla Motors Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk Wednesday unveiled an ambitious plan to expand the company into electric trucks and buses, vehicle sharing and solar energy systems.
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With one eye to the future Musk also harbours ambition to launch a shared fleet when autonomous driving finally takes off, enabling vehicle owners to make cash from their cars when not in use by lending them out to others. A decade after he announced his first master plan, to create a low volume electric Vehicle and provide, Musk has just announced his second master plan. In the second part of the master plan, Musk highlighted that the company is ready for mass production of Powerwall, while SolarCity is ready to provide highly differentiated panels. The purchase of SolarCity is subject to vote by Tesla’s shareholders.
“As the technology matures, all Tesla vehicles will have the hardware necessary to be fully self-driving with fail-operational capability, meaning that any given system in the auto could break and your auto will still drive itself safely”, Musk says.
The Model 3 is aimed at bringing Tesla to a mass market, providing an affordable way for consumers to jump into the electric vehicle market.
Elon Musk has dropped the mic once again, with Part Two of the Tesla Master Plan laid bare.
While shareholders of both companies still have to vote on the deal before it is approved, Musk said the deal makes ideal sense. It’s also key because a Tesla transport would increase safety, Musk says, as well as making it “really fun” for vehicle operators.
“Both are in the early stages of development at Tesla and should be ready for unveiling next year”, he wrote. This, Musk says, is why Tesla is keen to buy SolarCity, a solar energy provider which uses Tesla battery packs in solar projects.
“When true self-driving is approved by regulators, it will mean that you will be able to summon your Tesla from pretty much anywhere”, writes Musk in the post.
He also vigorously defended Tesla’s Autopilot self-driving system, despite the recent death of a driver in a vehicle fitted with it. This goal probably won’t include a auto that’s cheaper than the Model 3, though, due to another part of the Master Plan: a way to share your Tesla vehicle and make money doing so.
Musk also confirmed a secondary facet of the new plan that was widely speculated about over the past fortnight.
Tesla’s founder said he envisions owners allowing others to use their vehicles through a smartphone application.
When you’re not using your self-driving auto, you could add it to the “Tesla shared fleet” he continues.
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Musk said that Tesla will supply its own self-driving taxis in cities with high demand.
