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Tesla Chief Designer delivers speech at CA State Capitol, pledges support of 5M EV goal by 2030
Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen recently delivered an address at California’s State Capitol last week. The renowned designer discussed Tesla’s roots in California, its mission to accelerate the world towards sustainable energy, and the company’s plan to help the state reach its goal of having 5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2030.
The video of Franz’s speech was uploaded by Tesla-themed YouTube channel My Tesla Adventure. As noted by the YouTube channel’s host, Eli, the purpose of the event was to let the legislature know what is going on with Tesla and its electric vehicles, as well as to offer test rides to the public. In an emailed statement to Teslarati, Eli stated that people’s reaction to the electric car was one of pleasant surprise, particularly with the vehicle’s range and short charging times.
Franz’s discussion focused on Tesla’s progress as an electric car company over the years and how it intends to support California’s initiatives for sustainable transportation. Franz even noted that with Tesla’s help, CA could achieve its 5-million EV goal sooner than 2030.
“Sustainable is at the heart of everything that we do, so we want to thank you for your support. We also want to thank the governor for his vision on climate change and clean air policy. The governor’s goal of 5 million zero-emission vehicles in California on the roads by 2030, it’s not only achievable, we’re (Tesla) gonna to help make that happen – day by day – and if we build on these successful policies and programs adopted by the legislature in this administration, we can achieve that sooner than 2030.”
California Governor Jerry Brown signed an executive order earlier this year ordering state entities to work with the private sector to put 5 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. The order states that the transportation sector accounts for 50% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and 80% of smog-forming pollutants. The governor wants to increase zero-emission vehicles in order to meet California’s climate goals set in its 2017 climate plan.
Apart from discussing Tesla’s commitment to contributing to CA’s zero-emissions goal for 2030, von Holzhausen also talked about how Tesla is positively impacting communities because of their employees. According to the electric car designer, Tesla is now the leading electric vehicle plant in the world, employing more than 10,000 people in the state and contributing $5 billion to the economy. Ultimately, however, von Holzhausen stated that employees are at the core of Tesla.
“It’s our employees that are at the core of what we do and you can’t find a more passionate mission-driven set of people anywhere else, probably in the world,” he said.
Holzhausen also echoed Musk’s Master Plan for Tesla during his address, stating that Tesla’s mission is to ultimately accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy, and that the company will do it one car at a time.
Ultimately, Tesla has shown its willingness to commit to more than just electric cars. The company’s energy division alone is involved in accelerating the transition to sustainable energy in other countries. In Puerto Rico, Tesla is using its Powerwall and Powerpack battery solutions as a means to help the island nation get back on its feet. In South Australia, Tesla’s Powerpack farm is consistently proving its worth by helping the region’s beleaguered energy grid.
Holzhausen joined Tesla in 2006 and became the Chief Designer in 2010. He is responsible for designing the Model S, X, and 3, as well as the new Roadster and Tesla Semi. Before joining Tesla, Holzhausen worked on vehicles such as the Pontiac Solstice and Volkswagen Beetle.
Watch Franz’s speech at the CA State Capitol in the video below.
Elon Musk
Starlink powers Europe’s first satellite-to-phone service with O2 partnership
The service initially supports text messaging along with apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Maps and weather tools.
Starlink is now powering Europe’s first commercial satellite-to-smartphone service, as Virgin Media O2 launches a space-based mobile data offering across the UK.
The new O2 Satellite service uses Starlink’s low-Earth orbit network to connect regular smartphones in areas without terrestrial coverage, expanding O2’s reach from 89% to 95% of Britain’s landmass.
Under the rollout, compatible Samsung devices automatically connect to Starlink satellites when users move beyond traditional mobile coverage, according to Reuters.
The service initially supports text messaging along with apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Maps and weather tools. O2 is pricing the add-on at £3 per month.
By leveraging Starlink’s satellite infrastructure, O2 can deliver connectivity in remote and rural regions without building additional ground towers. The move represents another step in Starlink’s push beyond fixed broadband and into direct-to-device mobile services.
Virgin Media O2 chief executive Lutz Schuler shared his thoughts about the Starlink partnership. “By launching O2 Satellite, we’ve become the first operator in Europe to launch a space-based mobile data service that, overnight, has brought new mobile coverage to an area around two-thirds the size of Wales for the first time,” he said.
Satellite-based mobile connectivity is gaining traction globally. In the U.S., T-Mobile has launched a similar satellite-to-cell offering. Meanwhile, Vodafone has conducted satellite video call tests through its partnership with AST SpaceMobile last year.
For Starlink, the O2 agreement highlights how its network is increasingly being integrated into national telecom systems, enabling standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites without specialized hardware.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s Starbase, TX included in $84.6 million coastal funding round
The funds mark another step in the state’s ongoing beach restoration and resilience efforts along the Gulf Coast.
Elon Musk’s Starbase, Texas has been included in an $84.6 million coastal funding round announced by the Texas General Land Office (GLO). The funds mark another step in the state’s ongoing beach restoration and resilience efforts along the Gulf Coast.
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham confirmed that 14 coastal counties will receive funding through the Coastal Management Program (CMP) Grant Cycle 31 and Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Act (CEPRA) program Cycle 14. Among the Brownsville-area recipients listed was the City of Starbase, which is home to SpaceX’s Starship factory.
“As someone who spent more than a decade living on the Texas coast, ensuring our communities, wildlife, and their habitats are safe and thriving is of utmost importance. I am honored to bring this much-needed funding to our coastal communities for these beneficial projects,” Commissioner Buckingham said in a press release.
“By dedicating this crucial assistance to these impactful projects, the GLO is ensuring our Texas coast will continue to thrive and remain resilient for generations to come.”
The official Starbase account acknowledged the support in a post on X, writing: “Coastal resilience takes teamwork. We appreciate @TXGLO and Commissioner Dawn Buckingham for their continued support of beach restoration projects in Starbase.”
The funding will support a range of coastal initiatives, including beach nourishment, dune restoration, shoreline stabilization, habitat restoration, and water quality improvements.
CMP projects are backed by funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, alongside local partner matches. CEPRA projects focus specifically on reducing coastal erosion and are funded through allocations from the Texas Legislature, the Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax, and GOMESA.
Checks were presented in Corpus Christi and Brownsville to counties, municipalities, universities, and conservation groups. In addition to Starbase, Brownsville-area recipients included Cameron County, the City of South Padre Island, Willacy County, and the Willacy County Navigation District.
Elon Musk
The Boring Company wins key approval for Nashville Music City Loop
The approval allows The Boring Company to use state-owned right-of-way along Tennessee’s highway system.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced that the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have jointly approved The Boring Company’s lease application and enhanced grading permit for the Music City Loop.
The approval allows The Boring Company to use state-owned right-of-way along Tennessee’s highway system, clearing a key hurdle for the privately funded tunnel project that aims to connect downtown Nashville to Nashville International Airport in approximately eight minutes, the Office of the TN Governor wrote in a press release.
“Tennessee continues to lead the nation in finding innovative solutions to accommodate growth, and in partnership with The Boring Company, we are exploring possibilities we couldn’t achieve on our own,” Gov. Lee said in a statement.
“The Boring Company is grateful for the leadership and hard work of federal, state, and local agencies in bringing this project to a shovel-ready point,” The Boring Company President Steve Davis said. “Music City Loop will be a safe, fast, and fun public transportation system, and we are excited to build it in Nashville.”
With lease and permitting approvals secured, The Boring Company will move forward with the Loop system’s construction immediately. The first segment of the Loop system is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
The Music City Loop will run beneath state-owned roadways and is designed to connect downtown Nashville to the airport, as well as lower Broadway to West End. The project will be 100% privately funded.
“The Music City Loop shows what’s possible when we leverage private-sector innovation and American ingenuity to solve transportation challenges,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “TDOT’s lease approval will help advance this ambitious project as we work to reduce congestion and make travel more seamless for the American people.”
The Boring Company described the Loop as an all-electric, zero-emissions, high-speed underground transportation system that will meet or exceed safety standards. The Vegas Loop, for one, earned a 99.57% safety and security rating from the DHS and the TSA, the highest score ever awarded to any transportation system.
Starlink powers Europe’s first satellite-to-phone service with O2 partnership
Elon Musk’s Starbase, TX included in $84.6 million coastal funding round
