Tesla had a huge 2016.
Among other things, the company unveiled the Model 3, launched new battery products, acquired SolarCity, and revealed its new solar shingles.
From what CEO Elon Musk has revealed so far, it sounds like the company has even bigger plans for 2017.
Here’s a look at everything we know so far about what Tesla plans to accomplish this year.
Reveal details about the Tesla car sharing network
William Wei, Business Insider
In July of 2016, Musk revealed that Tesla would launch its own ride-hailing network.
At the time, Musk said in a company blog post that once Tesla vehicles are fully autonomous, the company will set up a shared fleet program that enables owners to make money off their car by letting other people use it.
“You will also be able to add your car to the Tesla shared fleet just by tapping a button on the Tesla phone app and have it generate income for you while you’re at work or on vacation, significantly offsetting and at times potentially exceeding the monthly loan or lease cost.”
In October, the company said owners would only be able to use their vehicle on its ride-hailing network for revenue purposes, and that it would reveal more details about Tesla’s network in 2017.
Drive a Tesla in autonomous mode across the country
Tesla
A Tesla vehicle will drive in fully autonomous mode from LA to New York City by the end of 2017, Musk said during a press call.
“I feel pretty good about this goal. We’ll be able to do a demonstration guide of full autonomy all the way from LA to New York. So basically from home in LA to Times Square in New York. And then have the car go and park itself by the end of next year,” he said.
Ramp up battery cell production at the Gigafactory
Yuya Shino/Reuters
Tesla and its battery partner Panasonic began cell production at the Gigafactory in January, but the company plans to ramp up production ahead of its Model 3 launch.
The battery cells currently in production are being used for Tesla’s rechargeable home battery, Powerwall 2, as well as its massive commercial battery, Powerpack 2.
However, Tesla said in a statement last month that it aims to begin production of battery cells for the Model 3, its first mass-market car, sometime in the second quarter.
Producing the batteries at the Gigafactory will bring down costs, enabling the company to price its Model 3 at about $ 35,000.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
