Tesla Motors shipped a record number of vehicles, according to the most recent 3rd quarter report. A great step forward in reaching Tesla’s goal of removing the “electric” from its products description.
Though Tesla represents only a small fraction of total sales, they are in the car game. 2013 US Auto Sales reached the 15 million car mark, a real rebound from the bottom of the market.
Adoption of any new technology happens in small steps. Hybrid vehicles are common. Aside from providing a greener transportation solution, they also represent an visible step away from the internal combustion engine.
Electric is coming, in many forms. Designers have been released from many constraints, given the new attributes electric motor powered vehicles bring. A true revolution is underway. Real competition exists in the zero emission vehicle space. I believe this is, in part, due to Elon Musk’s sharing of information. In June 2014 Tesla announced - “All Our Patent Are Belong To You”. A bold move.
The “mystery cargo” electric vehicles carry is infrastructure. Charging stations are coming online. The demand will exist for not only electric vehicles but compressed natural gas. In the new vehicle industry a number of technologies exist, beyond a traditional gas or diesel powered vehicle. Fleet trucks are not a good fit (currently) for electric. About 18M compressed natural gas vehicles exist, worldwide. As with any new technology, support is required. I am not sure what the charging station of the future looks like, but I would not be shocked if it bears a strong resemblance toWaWa Ver 2.0. I can think of worse places to have to spend twenty minutes, while my EV gets juice.
This emerging alternative fueling infrastructure will require current tech. As vehicles become more sophisticated and autonomous (self driving) vehicles hit the roads, connectivity will become more important - even critical. Independent gas stations, led by larger market goliaths, will begin to interact with our vehicles more.
One third of the US lacks high speed internet access. The need to support a more connected fueling and support grid might help close the gap.
