Tesla's Advantages and Disadvantages After Every Carmaker Goes Electric

Recently one automaker after another made announcements about their electric vehicle plans and it seems that all of them will eventually go electric. If they do Tesla, a clear leader with Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt will have certain advantages, but also disadvantages.

Praveen Nair and few other Tesla enthusiasts shared their opinions about Tesla's advantages and disadvantages in Tesla Model S Owners group on Facebook, after Mashable published a story on how every major automaker plans to go electric.

"Now that all the major automakers have decided to jump into the EV space full on, what are your thoughts on how this will affect Tesla?" asks Nair and posts the following points.

Tesla’s Advantages

1. They built a platform from the ground up as an EV. They rethought everything and this gives it a better Experience. Frunk, no start button, etc etc.
2. They have invested in superchargers. Huge plus.
3. Their software platform.
4. I just can’t see other car makers investing in a ground up platform that is good.

Tesla disadvantageous

1. They still trying to figure out production that the other guys have worked out. (Tho they don’t have the platform yet)
2. Their interior could do some upgrading especially in their S and X. It does not yet have the quality of an Audi or BMW.
3. If they had an all electric BMW or Audi, it might sway people to get that instead.
4. I’m assuming that gas stations will begin to invest in charging stations. This might reduce the uniqueness of SC.

While other car companies can benefit from Tesla's research and development, Superchargers are a huge differentiator. Yet, Tesla doesn't advertise it and people will not know much about this difference. For example, Cadillac advertises Supercruise and clearly explains how Supercruise it differs from Tesla's Autopilot. People are, generally so uninformed about Tesla when it comes to these differences.

Possibly Another Tesla Disadvantage

"Factories and joint ventures are needed in other countries. GM's announcement of going all electric eventually is possible due to other markets that have been demanding EVs and PHEVs. GM starting making the Cadillac CT6 PHEV and Buick Velite (Volt) in China specifically for the Chinese market. This avoids the tariffs if the car was made in the US and sent over to China. Very sure that a Bolt badged as a Buick will show up in China soon. BMW also launched a pure EV based on an X1 SUV (made by Brilliance in Guangdong). Nissan also has the Venucia (Leaf) the Dongfeng venture," writes Ivan Jue, who has contributed stories to TorqueNews.

The greatest obstacle for the automakers in the upcoming years will be the supply and access to Lithium. Where will they find so many batteries? The price will surely go up with huge demand of electric cars. Good thing Tesla is ahead of the game in terms of mining operations, distributors and supply chain.

What do you think? We would love to hear your opinions in the comments.