Tesla Semi is around the corner

If you look at the big picture, Tesla has taken very small steps, very very slowly in the world of EVs, but it constantly changes the world for the better.

Their first product, the Tesla Roadster wasn't a new concept. Battery powered RC cars already existed and petrol sports cars also existed ... and the Roadster is just a mixture of the two. What takes lots of time, money and effort, is coming up with exactly the right formula for the product, in order to make it appealing to the consumer. From this point of view, the Roadster was a partial success, as it had lots of problems and its automated production line never worked properly.

The Model S is a completely different story, because it had lots of funding and a lot of very bright people worked on it. Even though it was released a few years ago, even today the Model S is THE ELECTRIC CAR without compromises.

The Model X is just a taller Model S, bult on the same assembly line, with crazy falcon wing doors and up to 7 (normal, forward facing) seats. It also got a trailer hitch for towing up to 5000lbs and an improved HEPA filter, which can get rid of the smelliest farts and any smoke (including diesel).

The Model 3 is (or will be) a cheaper version of the Model S, on a completely new assembly line, with fewer features, but will have the dual motor option, trailer hitch, roof rack and up to 75kWh battery pack (at first). Its starting price is at 35.000USD (without any incentives) and the base model can go from 0-60mph in less than 6 seconds. The official total range with the smallest battery pack will be 215miles, but this will surely improve, as battery technology advances. Tesla got around 400.000 preorders for the Model 3, but analysts speculate that it's much more and demand is likely to increase, as Tesla estimates it'll produce 500.000 units per year.

The Tesla Semi Truck will be a very interesting product, as the prototype is allegedly put together from Model 3 parts. This could mean that each wheel of the semi will be connected to its own Model 3 motor and battery pack, without any major modifications to the Model 3 hardware... IMO only traction control needs to be optimized for 6-wheel / 6 motor operation, which is done in software, shouldn't be too complicated. They also need to hook up the batteries and motors to a much bigger radiator, as we've seen overheating problems with the Model X at high speeds, even when not towing.

What we know for sure is that the Tesla Semi Truck will be unveiled in September 2017 and it could have a huge impact on transportation cost and carbon footprint.

Concept - not a real product yet

The Tesla Model Y will be a cheap version of the Model X. Although it was planned to be made on the Model 3 production line, Musk has said at the recent earnings call that Model Y will need its own factory. This came as a shock to most investors, BUT it makes a lot of sense if you consider one simple piece of information Musk added: the Model Y will have 10x less cables than Model S and X, and about 6x less than Model 3. This means that the Model Y will be the next huge step in improving both the Tesla electric car and its manufacturing process ... and hopefully this simplification process will be applied to the Model S and X too.

Concept - not a real product yet

The Tesla Model P will be a fully electric pickup truck and will be revealed some time after the semi truck. There aren't any specifications released yet, but some time ago Musk said that it'll be based on the Model X platform. However, since the Model Y won't be based on the Model 3 platform, we can assume the pickup truck (and most future products) will also be something new and improved.

The Tesla Bus ... probably won't happen, as taxis and shared fleets of electric cars are much more desirable than cramming 10+ people into one box.

For more information about currently available electric Tesla cars, visit Tesla.com ... and watch the Model 3 unveil event ;)