The History of Tesla in 5 Minutes

The History of Tesla in 5 Minutes
Quizzed ESL Activities

Summary

Tesla’s Rise to Prominence

The story of Tesla began with the demise of the EV1, a groundbreaking electric car that was discontinued by GM in 2003. This event inspired the creation of Tesla Motors, founded by Martin Eberhard and Mark Tarpenning in 2003.

Early Years and Challenges

  • Tesla’s initial plan was to focus on lithium-ion batteries and start with a high-margin, high-performance sports car, the Roadster.
  • The company faced significant challenges, including cost overruns and quality issues, which led to the recall of 75% of the Roadsters produced.
  • Elon Musk took over as CEO in 2008 and made drastic changes to save the company, including cutting 25% of the workforce and raising $40 million in debt financing.

Expansion and Innovation

  • Tesla went public in 2010, raising $226 million, and expanded its product line to include the Model S and Model X.
  • The company introduced Autopilot, a semi-autonomous driving system, and the Powerwall, a lithium-ion battery for homes.
  • In 2013, Tesla announced plans for the Gigafactory, a massive operation to reduce the cost of lithium-ion battery production and make EVs more affordable.

Current and Future Plans

  • Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy, and its strategy is to automate vehicle assembly and reduce production costs.
  • The company plans to expand its product line to include the Tesla Semi, a pickup truck, and an ultra-low-cost model.
  • Tesla also aims to popularize an ecosystem that allows homeowners to generate and store green energy and sell it back to the grid.

Conclusion

Tesla’s ambitions are bold, and its strategy is considered innovative by some and naive by others. However, if the company can perfect its manufacturing process and reduce costs, it may achieve its goals and revolutionize the energy and transportation industries.

Key Vocabulary

Term Definition Example Usage
EV1 A groundbreaking electric car developed by General Motors. The discontinuation of the EV1 in 2003 inspired the creation of Tesla Motors.
Lithium-ion Batteries A type of rechargeable battery commonly used in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. Tesla’s initial plan was to focus on lithium-ion batteries for its electric cars.
Autopilot A semi-autonomous driving system that assists drivers with steering, acceleration, and braking. Tesla introduced Autopilot as a feature in its electric vehicles to enhance safety and convenience.
Gigafactory A large-scale facility for the production of lithium-ion batteries, aimed at reducing costs and increasing efficiency. Tesla’s Gigafactory is a key component of its strategy to make electric vehicles more affordable and sustainable.
Powerwall A lithium-ion battery designed for home energy storage, allowing homeowners to store excess energy generated by solar panels or the grid. The Powerwall is part of Tesla’s ecosystem for sustainable energy, enabling homeowners to reduce their reliance on the grid.
Sustainable Energy Energy that is generated from renewable sources, such as solar or wind power, and is environmentally friendly. Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change.
Electric Vehicle (EV) A vehicle that is powered by an electric motor, using energy stored in a battery or generated by an onboard power source. Tesla is a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles, including the Model S, Model X, and Roadster.
Green Energy Energy generated from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, or hydro power, that is environmentally friendly and sustainable. Tesla aims to popularize an ecosystem that allows homeowners to generate and store green energy, reducing their carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels.
Renewable Energy Energy generated from natural resources that can be replenished over time, such as sunlight, wind, or rain. Tesla’s products and services are designed to promote the adoption of renewable energy sources, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change.
Energy Storage The ability to store excess energy generated by renewable sources, such as solar or wind power, for later use. Tesla’s Powerwall is a key component of its energy storage solutions, enabling homeowners to store excess energy generated by solar panels or the grid.

Watch The Video

The History of Tesla in 5 Minutes

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a new and original idea or method’ in the context of Tesla’s story?

A) Discontinued
B) Groundbreaking
C) Lithium-ion
D) Semi-autonomous

2. What does ‘demise’ mean in the context of the EV1’s story?

A) Introduction
B) Expansion
C) End or death
D) Recall

3. Which term refers to ‘a system that can operate a vehicle with some level of autonomy’?

A) Powerwall
B) Autopilot
C) Gigafactory
D) Lithium-ion battery

4. What is the meaning of ‘drastic’ in the context of Elon Musk’s changes to Tesla?

A) Minor
B) Significant and far-reaching
C) Temporary
D) Unsuccessful

5. What does ‘semi-autonomous’ mean in the context of Tesla’s Autopilot system?

A) Fully controlled by a human
B) Partially controlled by a computer
C) Controlled by a human and a computer together
D) Not controlled at all

Answer Key:

1. B
2. C
3. B
4. B
5. B

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of the Passive Voice

The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence receives the action described by the verb. It is often used to change the emphasis of a sentence, to make it more formal, or when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant. In the context of the provided text, the passive voice is used in sentences such as “the EV1 was discontinued by GM in 2003” and “the Roadsters were recalled.” The passive voice can be formed using the verb “to be” in combination with the past participle of the main verb. For example: “The company was founded by Martin Eberhard and Mark Tarpenning” (here, the focus is on the company, not on the founders). The passive voice can also be used in different tenses, such as the present simple (“is produced”), the past simple (“was produced”), and the future simple (“will be produced”).

Grammar Quiz:

Choose the correct form of the passive voice for each sentence:

    1. The new Tesla model ____________________ next year.

will be release
is being released
will be released
was released

    1. The first electric car ____________________ by Tesla in 2008.

was produce
is produced
was produced
were produced

    1. The company’s mission ____________________ to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

is consider
is being considered
is considered
was considered

    1. The Gigafactory ____________________ to reduce the cost of lithium-ion battery production.

was announce
is being announced
was announced
will be announced

    1. The Autopilot system ____________________ by Tesla in 2013.

was introduce
is being introduced
was introduced
will be introduced

Answer Key:

  1. C) will be released
  2. C) was produced
  3. C) is considered
  4. C) was announced
  5. C) was introduced