Electric Avenue

Tesla's Model S offers an ideal blend of luxury and performance from its electric motors.

Like hybrids, electric cars are gaining in popularity amongst today’s car buyers. Normally I focus on a new innovative technology, but this week I’d like to put the spotlight on one manufacturer in particular – Tesla Motors.

In my opinion, Tesla is the most innovative auto manufacturer out there today. Co-founded in 2003 by current CEO Elon Musk (who co-founded PayPal, and also founded the space-exploration company SpaceX), Tesla has released three different models of cars to-date: their Roadster, Model S, and Model X. A fourth, the Model 3 is expected to be released in 2017.

Tesla's interiors feature a surprising lack of buttons, as
most options are controlled via a giant 17" touchscreen.

The Model S has been their most successful vehicle thus far, as it sold just over 50,000 units last year and was named the best-selling plug-in vehicle of 2015. And if you thought that electric cars weren’t built for high-performance, you’re in for a real surprise. The performance model of Tesla’s Model S is called the P90D, and as of now, it’s the fastest sedan in the world. With a 0-60 time of only 2.8 seconds, the P90D uses all-wheel drive to put its 762 hp and earth-shattering 687 lb-ft of torque to the pavement. This car is so quick to launch that it matches the performance figures of Lamborghinis and Ferraris. I’ll give you a moment to let that sink in.

The new Model X received plenty of attention at this year's
Canadian International Auto Show, thanks in part to its
stylized "falcon-wing" rear doors.

While the Model S represents luxury and performance, Tesla’s new Model X is a crossover that features seating for up to seven passengers. It’ll feature a performance model as well, and its rear doors are “falcon-wings” that open upwards and allow passengers to get in and out easily. Tesla is aiming to sell the smaller Model 3 for only $35,000 when it launches in 2017, easily making it their most affordable vehicle to date.

In addition to their innovative vehicles, Tesla has established a network of supercharger stations worldwide to quickly charge its vehicles, opened up its patents to the public in the hopes that they’ll improve their designs, avoided operating expensive dealerships in many U.S. states by setting up “stores” and “galleries” in malls, and marketed their own batteries for home use.

Even if cars and technology aren’t your cup of tea, I hope that you’ll at least follow Tesla’s developments in the coming years. They’re making waves in the auto industry, and they’re providing us all with an incredible amount of innovations.