Lifestyle
Energy expert explains why Tesla and the electric car industry is here to stay

Electric vehicles will be hugely beneficial for our environment but that’s not always what you read. There’s a lot of misinformation out there, with too many articles pushing old myths and bad data. It’s time to set the record straight. As an engineer working in the field of energy and sustainability I’m going to give it a shot.
In all fairness the story of electric vehicles has been advancing rather quickly. Battery costs have fallen 80% since 2010 and affordable long range EVs are beginning to hit the market. But this is just the start. Nearly all major manufacturers are now feverishly working on electric models, with companies like Mercedes, BMW, and VW expecting 25% of their sales to be electric by 2025 and then there’s Tesla, the patron saint of sustainability, targeting production of 500,000 electric vehicles as soon as next year. This information and the benefits however are not universally appreciated, far from it.
Electric vehicles are coming, they’re shaking up long-established industries, and it’s happening much more quickly than people expected. This is a good thing. Here’s why:
1. Our electricity grid is actually pretty clean… and getting cleaner
The myth “you’re using fossil fuels to power your electric car” is false. In Ontario Canada, where I live, we have an electricity mix that includes no coal and only 10% from natural gas. Canada-wide 63% of electricity comes from hydro and only 16% from fossil fuels. That’s a lot of carbon free power.
The US average doesn’t look quite as good but it’s improving all the time. A short time ago over 40% of electricity in the United States came from coal (2011). Last year it was 30%, with 34% from natural gas, 20% nuclear, 7% hydro, and 8% from other renewables. That will continue to improve every year as more coal plants are shut down and more renewables are installed. Want proof? From 2014 to 2017 electricity from coal dropped by 23% while solar power generation increased 102%. In 2016 alone US solar capacity went from 28GW to 42GW.
Electricity Mix – Ontario, Canada, USA
2. Using electricity to power your car is way more efficient than gas or diesel
I recently read a Canadian newspaper article that said “burning a fossil fuel to power an electric car is nowhere near as efficient as burning that fuel to power the car directly”. That’s simply not true but more importantly it’s not even a real scenario. Just look at the electricity mixes above. Fossil fuels are not our only source of electricity; in Canada they make up only 16%. Even in the US where fossil fuel use is much higher, natural gas is a cleaner, lower carbon option compared to gas, diesel, or coal. Not all fossil fuels are equal.
Electric and combustion vehicles are very different so comparing their efficiencies directly, apples to apples, isn’t straightforward. The best way to do it is using “Well to Wheel” efficiency; it’s the total system efficiency right from fuel extraction to the point where power is delivered to the wheels (and all the losses in between). No hiding losses in this calculation.
There’s a lot of background information that goes into the calculations and if you like you can check out the details at the end of the article. The results however are tabulated below. Electric vehicle efficiency on the Ontario grid is double that of diesel and triple that of gasoline. The efficiency goes up if the grid uses more hydro or other renewables, as you can see in the Canadian average or for residential solar. TLDR: it’s the combustion efficiency that’s “nowhere near as efficient”.
Table 1: Vehicle Efficiency Comparison

*Efficiency in this situation does not include the conversion of light to electricity since that light energy is not ‘wasted’ but goes on to perform its regular function providing light and heat.
This is clearly a positive result, it means we’re using energy more wisely with electric vehicles. But efficiency is not the same thing as ‘environmentally friendly’. An engine that’s 100% efficient but runs on whale oil isn’t very friendly, at least not to whales. Thus the next section looks at the carbon intensity of the fuel sources.
3. Electric vehicles will reduce emissions… by a lot
There seems to be a large amount of distrust for this, as if electric cars are some sort of scam to hoodwink unsuspecting millennials. Let’s clear that up because it’s a big driver for EVs.
“There’s a 94% reduction in the CO2 equivalent emissions from swapping my gas powered Golf for the Tesla.”
First I assembled the the ‘fuel’ economies of the average US vehicle, my VW Golf, and a Tesla Model S 85D. Those are the three vehicles I wanted to compare. I then determined the CO2e emissions per km for the combustion vehicles and then did the same for the Tesla. Since the fuel source for the Model S is electricity I had to calculate the emissions from each electricity grid. To do that I used the median lifecycle emissions factors from the Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation (SRREN), and then compared them to reports specific to Ontario. Then it was a simple matter of comparing the emissions per km of each vehicle. The results surprised even me.
As a resident of Ontario there’s a 94% reduction in the CO2 equivalent emissions from swapping my gas powered Golf for the Tesla. And before you start talking about manufacturing emissions, I looked at those too. The extra manufacturing emissions for the Tesla total approximately 5440 kg of CO2e, almost entirely from the battery. Those emissions would be ‘paid back’ through driving emission reductions by around 20,000 km. This happens to be the average distance driven by a Canadian in a year.
In addition to Ontario, I also ran the numbers for the four most populated provinces in Canada, the Canadian average, and the US average (see table below). All show significant reductions, though coal heavy Alberta has lots of room to improve.
Table 2: Comparison of Vehicle CO2e Emissions
4. Transport emissions are a big part of our national emissions
There are some that claim transport emissions aren’t significant and we should be focusing on other areas. They say this as though our civilization can only do one thing at a time and we weren’t already working on those areas (we are!). One article even stated EVs could never offset more than 12% of Canada’s emissions. This is all very misleading and fundamentally incorrect.
Environment Canada Data – GHG Emissions by Sector
Environment Canada data shows transportation CO2 equivalent emissions are 23% of Canada’s total. Since roughly half of that is attributed to passenger vehicles that works out to the 12% number above, but that’s not the whole story. Not even close. That number excludes buses and freight truck transport, which would see electrification or equivalent. Once included the total rises to approximately 20% of Canada’s national greenhouse gas emissions.
Wait, there’s more.
It leaves out how we got the fuel in the first place. The oil and gas sector, which accounts for 26% of our total national emissions. If we break out the amount related to oil processing for passenger vehicles, buses, and freight trucks the result is another 10%.
Adding the 20% from direct vehicle emissions to the 10% for oil processing, results in a total of 30% of our national CO2e emissions. Thirty Percent! That’s a big deal.
5. Incentives will help make EVs more affordable for everyone, speeding up their adoption across the world
The purpose of incentives is to help a technology mature more quickly so that it will become economically viable for a much broader sector of the public. Thus the benefits of that technology can be had for many more people and much sooner than would otherwise be possible.
Incentives are arguably one of the most democratic ways of advancing a technology; if people don’t want EVs then government money doesn’t go there. Governments also invest in the development of new technologies through things like tax rebates or grants. To decry the incentives for EVs while giving a pass to traditional automakers receiving hundreds of millions in factory rebates or conveniently forgetting the automotive industry bailout is cherry picking the facts.
There are many spin-off benefits from electric vehicle adoption that make them a good public investment. More electric vehicles help balance our electricity demand between day and night, make better use of our resources, grow our economy by replacing old technologies, create new jobs, and reduce pollution which improves quality of life while reducing healthcare costs. I could go on.
6. Electric car batteries can, and are, being recycled.
There are articles that claim “electric car batteries are toxic sludge”. Well Tesla has published a good deal of information about their batteries and recycling programs. Their batteries are RoHS compliant and fully recyclable. RoHS refers to the restriction of hazardous substances directive for electrical and electronic equipment, adopted in 2003 by the EU. Tesla recycles their batteries 100% within Europe and at ~60% in the US, according to their blog. They are also building a new recycling facility at the Nevada Gigafactory. Seems like there won’t be much “toxic sludge” to worry about after all.
7. Show me a better option
There isn’t one. I think it’s fair to say Dieselgate proved that clean diesel wasn’t what we thought (or were told). And fuel cells, for all their promise still have very large hurdles to overcome. To that point I think it’s worth naming a few.
Virtually all hydrogen today is produced through the inefficient steam reformation of fossil fuel methane. And while it’s possible to generate hydrogen from water, it’s extremely expensive. Even if it does get cheaper we would then be using the electricity to create a highly explosive fuel before converting it back into electricity. That might not be so unreasonable if fuel cells were more efficient, or if they didn’t require a battery to regulate the power. There’s also the storage and distribution issue. Hydrogen requires strong pressure vessels to store as a liquid (it’s a gas under normal earthly conditions). Existing gas stations won’t work without massive upgrades (read: new tanks, new pumps). All this is not to say there won’t be applications for fuel cells but for passenger vehicles does it really make sense?
Look, there are some big industries that would love for you to believe the technology to replace them ‘just isn’t there yet’. It’s a common tactic. Remember the cigarette industry that for decades said the research just wasn’t conclusive, all to keep you smoking. Fact is we may not have another 10, 20, 30 years to figure this out. We need to start making real changes today. EVs are part of that change. They are here now and looking better every day.
The breakthroughs have been incremental with the improvements compounding rapidly. It’s happening so fast that people are caught off guard. Today Tesla Supercharger stations can add 270 km in 30 minutes while next generation stations will triple that rate. Batteries are improving every year, with faster charging, higher capacities, lighter weight, and lower cost. Just this year Tesla began manufacturing their new 2170 battery format with a reported 30% improvement in energy density over their 2012 battery cell. Product announcements from other manufacturers suggest another 30% is expected by 2020. This has led to a new benchmark for electric vehicles – affordable battery powered cars with 400km in range. The Chevy Bolt and Tesla Model 3 are but the first of many.
With major automotive manufacturers now committed to EVs, this is truly just the start. Look at VW, BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes, Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Tesla, the list goes on. This broader commercialization will bring larger investments and even more rapid improvements. We are on the cusp of a paradigm shift in our transportation and energy sectors. A shift that will help reduce the effects of climate change, improve our air quality, and preserve our wonderful planet for future generations. To disregard electric vehicles as a fleeting fringe technology is to ignore all indicators to the contrary. Electric vehicles are coming.
Oh and they cost a lot less to operate too.
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Notes:
Wherever possible I completed most of the calculations using raw data. I used multiple sources to justify calculation inputs and to compare the results to other publications as part of my validation exercise. I also performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the relative impact of parameters, such as in the CO2e calculations. I’ve made my best effort to use accurate, representative data and present the information to offer a realistic view of the environmental benefits.
1 Vehicle Efficiency Comparison:
Notes:
- The results for combustion engines are taken from a 2010 MIT study as noted below.
- Tank to wheel efficiency for electric vehicle efficiency includes battery charge/discharge efficiency (~88%), motor (~93%), inverter (95%), and drivetrain transmission efficiency (~95%).
- Well to Wheel for battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles are calculated per the information below. It should be noted the overall grid efficiency affects the battery electric vehicles efficiency, which is ~74% for Canada due to the large amount of hydro and in Ontario is lower ~52% because nuclear power stations are relatively lower thermal efficiencies of 33% (according to the US EIA, which also shows natural gas stations are 44% efficient). I’ve accounted for fuel extraction energy which did not have a meaningful impact on final efficiencies. Also note that comparing renewable energy efficiencies are somewhat different than fossil fuels or nuclear. In solar and wind the losses are in uncaptured or unconverted solar or wind energy. That energy continues to serve its intended function on the planet. There are system losses however which are accounted for.
Lifestyle
Tesla Semi futuristic sci-fi acceleration sound will never get old
Videos that capture the Semi moving at speed are most notable due to their sheer cool factor.

The Tesla Semi is not yet in mass production, but the company has accumulated over 7.9 million miles across its test fleet. With Tesla using the Semi for its operations, it is no surprise that sightings of the Class 8 all-electric truck have been abounding.
These sightings from Tesla enthusiasts vary, but those that capture the the Class 8 all-electric truck moving at speed are most notable, possibly due to their sheer cool factor.
Tesla Semi’s Roar
There is something that just stands out with the Semi, particularly on the road. While the Semi does not have the Cybertruck’s brutalist, angular design, it is still very striking because it’s such a massive machine that moves far too quietly for its size. This is, of course, one of the reasons why the vehicle also becomes extra noteworthy when it fires up its electric motors and accelerates.
Take this video from Tesla Owners Silicon Valley, for example, which shows the all-electric hauler accelerating while pulling what appears to be a full load. In these situations, the Tesla Semi actually becomes audible, but unlike traditional diesel-powered truck, the Class 8 all-electric truck “roars” with its own, unique futuristic, sci-fi sound. In such situations, one could feel the Semi’s raw power, which comes from its three independent motors on its rear axles.
Tesla Semi Ramp
Tesla has been promoting the Semi quite a bit as of late, and recent reports have suggested that the company is putting in a lot of effort to prepare the vehicle for its production in Nevada. Tesla’s Careers website has gone live with over 80 Semi-related job openings recently as well, and a recent report has suggested that Tesla has ramped the Semi’s factory workers in Nevada to over 1,000 employees.
The company has even shared an update video of the Semi factory’s progress near Giga Nevada, as well as the design of the vehicle’s new logo. The Semi’s updated logo is quite interesting as it features elements from the Tesla Model 3’s first logo, which was unveiled way back in 2016.
Lifestyle
Elon Musk jokes he will join Mr Beast’s “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla” challenge
It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again.

Following the first quarter Tesla earnings call, CEO Elon Musk seems to have become a bit more relaxed—relaxed enough to joke about fighting a gorilla with 99 other people, at least.
It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again and not too busy picking fights with politicians on social media.
The Viral 100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge
Over the weekend, a post on social media platform X went viral. The post itself was quite simple, with user @DreamChasnMike stating that he thinks 100 men could beat one gorilla. “Everybody just gotta be dedicated to the sh*t,” the X user joked. The post exploded on the platform, garnering 284 million impressions as of writing.
The silly question also triggered a massive debate about whether 100 men would really stand a chance against a literal gorilla. Some users even lamented that the premise was a sign of male hubris. Nevertheless, the question proved to be a fun topic on X, with some more dedicated users even posting simulated videos of what the “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge” could look like.
Mr. Beast and Elon Musk Join In
The premise is quite similar to other viral videos from noted YouTube creator Mr. Beast, so it was no surprise that edited images of Mr. Beast YouTube thumbnails with “100 Men vs a Gorilla” also started spreading on the social media platform. Mr. Beast, who tends to be game to such silly ideas, actually reposted the edited image, joking “Need 100 men to test this, any volunteers?”
In true Elon Musk fashion, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO noted that he would join the challenge. “Sure, what’s the worst that could happen” Musk wrote in his post on X. Musk’s reply triggered quite a few laughs on X, with some stating that the world probably still needs the CEO.
While silly, Musk’s comment and his recent, more frequent posts about his companies’ products like Starlink and Grok have been received well by his supporters. Over the past months, after all, Musk has been very political and quite confrontational on social media. With Musk soon taking a step back from the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) daily operations, however, it seems like X will soon get a more tempered and lighthearted Elon Musk once more.
Lifestyle
Possible first glimpse of Tesla “Model 2” affordable car in Fremont Factory
The models that Tesla will release in the coming months will resemble the company’s current lineup.

During the Q1 earnings call, Tesla VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy set expectations on the design of the affordable models that the company is expected to launch this 2025. As per the Tesla executive, the models that Tesla will release in the coming months will resemble the company’s current lineup.
Drone footage from the Fremont Factory earlier this month might have provided the EV community its first potential glimpse at Tesla’s affordable cars–fondly dubbed by EV fans and analysts as the “Model 2” or even “Model Q”–or at least their components and overall shape.
The Sighting
Tesla watcher and drone operator Met God in Wilderness, who has been posting aerial videos of the Fremont Factory for years now, recently shared some footage from his drone flyovers this month. While the Fremont Factory was abuzz with activity as usual, a couple of rather strange vehicles were quickly spotted by EV watchers on social media.
During the drone operator’s flyover on the 17th, for example, an unfinished vehicle could be seen parked next to what appeared to be fully-built Model S and Model Y units. What was especially interesting was the vehicle’s roof, which seemed to be slightly narrower than the Model Ys around it. Based on the video, at least, the vehicle seemed to be shaped like a crossover as well.
Footage from the 24th of April also proved quite interesting, with the drone operator capturing footage of another cryptic vehicle. Unlike the mysterious, unfinished, crossover-esque car spotted on the 17th, this particular unit seemed to have a more sloping rear, at least based on the shape of its covering.
What Lars Moravy Said
In Tesla’s Q1 2025 Update Letter, Tesla noted that “plans for new vehicles, including more affordable models, remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025.” Tesla also noted that the new vehicles will utilize aspects of its next generation and its current platforms. They will also be produced on the same manufacturing lines as its present vehicle lineup, likely the Model Y and Model 3.
During the earnings call itself, Moravy specifically stated that the new models that would come out in the next months would resemble the company’s current vehicles. They will, however, be affordable. “Models that come out in next months will be built on our lines and will resemble, in form and shape, the cars we currently make. And the key is that they’ll be affordable, and you’ll be able to buy one,” Moravy stated.
Watch the drone operator’s footage from April 17 below.
The drone operator’s footage from April 24 can be viewed below.
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