Tesla makes headlines once again with its unveiling of its new semi-trucks and surprise reveal of their new roadster in November. Recently, the addition of more diversity in the automobile lineup from Tesla could entail a future with more electric vehicles in more versatile options. From the luxury Sudan, the Model S; the high-performance falcon-winged (side doors that flip upwards) jeep, the Model X; a more affordable electric car, the Model 3, Tesla shows no end in creating high-end fully-electric vehicles for a multitude of purposes and the semi-truck and roadster just adds to this electric series. Additionally, with NASDAQ showing Tesla’s stock has been up over 43% in the last year, it appears Tesla’s electric vehicles will be one of the leading forces in the ubiquity of electric-powered automobiles.

Firstly, the new semi-truck is a heavy-duty transportation vehicle with some astounding facts. It has over 800 kilometers of range and due to its electric nature, could save up to ＄200,000 worth of fuel. In addition, Tesla promises at least 1.6 million kilometers of driving without breaking down. Unless you are a truck driver this news may not seem that impressive but given that this is an electric vehicle, everything changes. This represents that Tesla is willing to beyond mainstream consumer products and actually try to shift the petrol-orientated vehicle world towards an electric perspective. With impressive range and long-term cost-efficiency, Tesla has a real possibility of doing just that.

Perhaps more excitingly to those interested in speed, Tesla breaks into hyper car territory with the new roadster. 1.9 seconds to 100km/h. Over 400km/h top speed. This is the fastest production car…ever. In addition to the tremendous speed due in part to its three electric motors that generate instant torque, the roadster’s 200kWh batteries allow the car to travel over 1000km without needing to recharge, unprecedented in consumer electric vehicles. The new roadster doesn’t just have some record breaking power and speed, it has Tesla’s signature aesthetically pleasing look with new elements. The body is sharp yet simple, with cleans lines trailing the side doors. Also, the sharp slanted convex line design underneath the headlights are similar to that of those on the Porsche Mission E, their own electric sports car.

When people buy super cars, they not necessarily buy it to go 400km/h on the road. They do it because they are obtaining a machine of astounding craftsmanship. Cars of this class are engineered and built to be powerful and designed to please. These vehicles are technical engineering unleashed in order to reach new milestones and represent some of our most impressive mechanical feats. Tesla’s new roadster shows how such achievement can be obtained, sometimes with greater results, through electrical motors instead of polluting gas-powered engines.

The new semi-truck and roadster are show that electric vehicles don’t have to be inferior to gas-powered ones and that electric travel is an exciting possibility. With Tesla’s wide spectrum of vehicles for various purposes, and their media and financial success, Tesla has serious potential to lead the world to a new age of practical electric vehicles that could significantly impact the automobile landscape.

<Eric Jin Western Academy of Beijing 11th Grade>