The common saying used to go something like: 'from rags to riches, then back to rags'. It rarely goes - one assumes - the other way around. Today, however, as we're looking at Tesla vs The World, you might say that the former automobile startup has gone from 'riches to riches to riches'; and you'd be on the right track.

That doesn't mean it’s gone perfectly, it never does, but with every hiccup and every broken Cybertruck window, the company and its leader have surfed the tech wave rather than sink to the bottom.

Where lie the merits of the Palo Alto-based company and where does the competition have a chance to catch up and possibly de-throne Tesla and its cars? One thing is for sure, it's not so easy anymore to pick among the various EV's on sale and single out just one name every time. The battlefield just got busier.

A Kaleidoscope Of Business Ventures

Space X Sent A Red Tesla Roadster Into Space
Via TheConversation

As the name Tesla escapes your lips, you are naming an umbrella of different assets and intellectual property all at once. Tesla is known primarily for 2 things; EV's and innovation both of which are also one and the same. Let's unpack that a little and scan over the contents.

In 2004 the Tesla company was created by two partners Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, Musk became the CEO in 2004, throwing into the pot 6.5 million US dollars after he moved on from X.com which was the predecessor to PayPal.

Tesla is an automobile manufacturer which develops, manufactures, and supports a line of exclusively electric cars.

They have a second side too: green energy, renewable energy; carrying out R+D, and ultimately producing batteries, roof panels, and energy storage to name just three. Included in Elon's portfolio are The Boring Company and SpaceX too.

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The First Roadster Makes Way For More To Follow

2021 Tesla Roadster
via Tesla

As early as 2009, we were graced with the arrival of the Tesla Roadster. A small and stylish EV with the Lotus Elise to thank for the chassis and at least a large portion of its styling ethos, it was revolutionary.

It went quick – less than 4 seconds to 60mph – could do more than 200 miles on a charge and proved that electric cars could be cool. Very cool.

At that same time, we witnessed the birth of the Nissan Leaf and although it was reasonably practical and more affordable than the roadster (they were in completely different areas of the market) it could only make around 70 miles on a full charge.

The Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Chevrolet Volt, and many others would popularize hybrids, and later full EVs would begin to trickle from the automobile industry. By 2012 we had the Model S from Tesla, with around 200-250 miles range which was double the autonomy compared to the contemporary Leaf.

Talking of autonomy, Tesla debuted the Autopilot feature on the S, creating a stir with customers and the media alike, not to mention lawyers and congressmen and women. Autopilot has been a bone of contention in accidents and law-making since it has existed – drivers are still required to ‘be ready to react and surveil the ongoing road situation'.

In any case, in the first 5 years from the release of the Model S, Tesla’s cars, although pricier, would dominate due to the image, range, and technology on offer.

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The Cream Of The Crop

Ford Mustang Mach-E
Via Thecarconnection

Since the lineup at Tesla has grown with the models X, 3, and Y; the formula has changed little.

Styling has followed a common design ethos and although build quality – not to mention battery efficiency - has improved, they do attract criticism based on the perceived quality compared to other premium cars like the ones from Audi or BMW for example.

As Tesla’s cars have advanced, so has the competition.

Advances in technology and parts prices (including batteries) are to thank partly for the surge in new electric cars from other manufacturers, as well as climate concerns and emissions targets.

More options are available for us to select from if we would like a premium-feeling and capable EV with a relatively long range.

There are now cars from almost every other manufacturer with an alternative EV at different price points and equipment levels.

Many high-performance alternatives to Tesla’s models now exist from companies including Ford with the Mach-E, BMW with the i4, and Mercedes with the EQC.

Other upcoming models from new brands like Lucid will offer up to 500 miles per charge, in the case of its Air model.

An Industry Moving Fast

Kia EV6 city
Via Kia

Kia, now pushing into premium territory with its larger models, is offering the Kia EV6 which will do 300 miles of range in each of its iterations.

From 225hp to almost 600hp in the highly anticipated GT version, and either rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive and a 3.5-second-to-60mph time (for the GT) this car will set you back from around 45,000 dollars for the basic model.

In its basic form – the Long Range one – the latest Tesla Model Y starts at around 45,000 dollars with rear-wheel drive and offers the same range as the Kia. It has Tesla’s latest Autopilot as standard, but even basic cars from other manufacturers now come with advanced safety features such as lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, active braking, and speed limit recognition, closing the gap further on Tesla in that respect.

Still, Tesla also offers its own charging network, with its Supercharger stations which gives it an edge over the competition.

Tesla is always innovating, improving battery density, and updating their in-car technology but there is now a lot on offer from other car brands, at cheaper price points without sacrificing much on speed or style. Long live Tesla, but we are lucky to now have the choice with EVs, unless you want falcon-wing doors; in which case your options are still limited to just one.