As Tesla continues to be one of the most popular automakers in the world — with its famous rock-star CEO Elon Musk leading the charge — the question arises: Will Tesla still be around in five years? While no one can predict the future, it’s helpful to take a look at the past to see how the electric car company has managed to survive and even thrive despite some daunting obstacles. In this article, we will explore the trials and tribulations of Tesla’s journey thus far, and speculate on whether the company will remain a major player in the automotive industry in the coming years.
1. Renewed Focus on the EV Market
The global shift to electric vehicles (EV) is undeniable. What was once a niche market is now a truly competitive playing field. Companies such as BMW, Volkswagen and GM are stepping up to the plate, investing in EV infrastructure and production. This is creating a , and exciting opportunities for consumers.
- Increased Investment: Major auto companies are jumping in by investing in EV infrastructure and production. This is leading to wider availability of EVs, with companies such as Tesla taking the lead in innovation.
- Incentives: Governments are taking a more active role in incentivizing EV adoption. Incentives such as tax credits, subsidies and other forms of financial supports are making EVs more affordable and accessible for a broader range of customers.
- Reducing Emissions: EVs offer a viable alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles. Not only are they cleaner and quieter, they also have a smaller environmental footprint.
The shift to EVs is showing no signs of slowing down. With increased availability and government support, EV adoption is on the rise. In the coming years, consumers can expect to see even more investments in the EV market.
2. Sustainable Battery Production: Critical to Tesla’s Future
As Tesla’s core business model relies solely on the production and distribution of electric vehicles, the importance of sustainable battery production is critical to the company’s future success. To reduce the environmental harm that batteries can cause and to ensure the long-term viability of the organization, Tesla must ensure that processes are as efficient as possible to minimize emissions and lasting damage.
To this end, Tesla is utilizing several developments to ensure sustainability:
- Autonomous Manufacturing –Tesla is aiming to reduce the need for manual labor through the use of autonomous machines that can assemble, test, and package batteries. This will reduce labor costs and the emissions associated with transportation.
- Recycling Efforts – With Tesla’s commitment to the circular economy, they are exploring ways to safely and sustainably recycle batteries. This includes using reused raw materials, diminishing the need for new raw materials to produce batteries.
- Reduced Waste – Tesla is striving to reduce the amount of energy and resources used to produce batteries. This means optimizing production processes to produce fewer emissions and minimizing waste from production and transportation.
By focusing on sustainability and making production processes as efficient as possible, Tesla will ensure the long-term success of the organization.
3. Innovating in Autonomous Technology: Tesla’s Edge
In the world of automated vehicles, none come close to Tesla’s level of innovation. Tesla strives to be on the cutting edge of autonomous technology, continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Here are a few of the features that make Tesla a leader in this field:
- Full Self-Driving Mode – This mode allows Tesla vehicles to automatically detect objects and navigate roads with no input from the driver. Tesla’s suite of sensors also gives the car the ability to make decisions on its own to avoid obstacles and avoid potential accidents.
- Tesla Autopilot – Tesla’s Autopilot feature gives the vehicle an extra layer of safety, giving it the ability to detect and respond to lane changes, provide steering control, and even brake in emergency situations.
Tesla’s commitment to innovation and safety sets them apart from other companies in the autonomous vehicle space. They have made major strides in perfecting their Autopilot software, making driving with a Tesla safer and more reliable than ever before.
4. Will Tesla Survive the Home Stretch?
Tesla has made a tremendous comeback as of late as their stock price, production, and sales all have experienced surges in the past few months. But despite this, hardships remain in the home stretch as Tesla finishes up its 2020 journey.
The Achilles’ heel of Tesla’s comeback this year is the delicate matter of their balance sheets. It’s not a surprise to discover that reports of their debt to equity ratio continue to mount. This could present a barrier to Tesla’s long-term sustainability. Here are some of Tesla’s major remaining issues:
- Raising capital for large investments: Tesla needs to increase investments for better supply chain management.
- Cash flow: Even though Tesla is experiencing higher revenue, cash flow problems remain due to higher costs of operations.
- Incoming competition: Wall Street has weighed in that the influx of competitors in the EV industry could pose a serious challenge for Tesla.
Amidst this uncertainty however, Elon Musk is committed to pushing through the remainder of 2020 and beyond. With the right investments and a bit of luck, Tesla may yet survive the home stretch and continue to make progress in the years to come.
In conclusion, predicting if Tesla will still be around in 5 years time is a risky venture. But with its influential CEO and its huge ambition for a holistic approach to green energy, one thing’s for sure — whatever the future holds, Tesla won’t be playing it safe.