Skip advert
Advertisement

Tesla Master Plan 2: car sharing, new small SUV and Tesla bus

The second part of Tesla’s ‘Master Plan’ sets out the firm’s ambitious future plans including a smaller Model X SUV and a pick-up

The second part of Tesla’s ‘Master Plan’ sets out the firm’s ambitious future plans including a smaller Model X SUV and a pick-up.

Tesla founder Elon Musk has announced the company’s new ‘Master Plan, Part Deux’, which includes new models including a pick-up truck, new technology and ever-safer autonomous driving. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

New Tesla Model X review

Musk revealed the first installment of his Master Plan 10 years ago, claiming it was “in the final stages of completion”. That big idea started with the expensive, low volume Tesla Roadster, and will end with the affordable, high volume Tesla Model 3.

The Tesla CEO is committed to great sustainability and says he will continue his drive for zero emissions in this second Master Plan installment. The company’s main aim is to expand the Tesla model line up “to cover the major forms of terrestrial transport”.

Tesla plans new tech and range expansion 

“Tesla addresses two relatively small segments of premium sedans and SUVs,” Musk said. “With the Model 3, a future compact SUV and a new kind of pick-up truck, we plan to address most of the consumer market”. He went on to say: “A lower cost vehicle than the Model 3 is unlikely to be necessary”.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Best pick-up trucks to buy now

Musk intends to future-proof these vehicles by also designing an integrated solar-roof-with-battery product that "just works", empowering the individual as their own utility. He hopes owners will be able to install the system at home, thus generating electricity to power their car.

In addition to Tesla’s expanding car range, Musk has visions for “heavy-duty trucks” and “high passenger-density urban transport”. He says both of these are in the early stages of development and should be unveiled next year.

Autonomous driving at the core of new Tesla bus

Autonomy will play a big part in Musk’s penetration of the public transport sector. His vision of a Tesla bus eliminates the driver entirely, gifting that role to a central fleet manager. Musk claims this would improve congestion due to “increased passenger density - eliminating the centre aisle and putting seats where there are currently entryways.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

The buses would allegedly match the behaviour of the vehicle in front, accelerating and braking simultaneously. Much like the system being trialed by Jaguar Land Rover, the process would reduce the space needed on the road and improve vehicle efficiency. 

Best electric cars to buy now

This all then plays into Musk’s vision for the future of autonomy. Tesla will continue to develop and refine its Autopilot technology, though he acknowledges it’ll be some time before the legislation and laws are in place to safely allow full autonomy on public roads.

“Even once the software is highly refined and far better than the average human driver, there will still be a significant time gap, varying widely by jurisdiction, before true self-driving is approved by regulators.

Tesla Model X - full front

“We expect that worldwide regulatory approval will require something on the order of 6 billion miles (10 billion km). Current fleet learning is happening at just over 3 million miles (5 million km) per day.” 

Musk claims that once it is approved, you’ll be able to “sleep, read or do anything else on route to your destination.”

Car sharing technology from Tesla 

The last part of Tesla’s Master Plan, Part Deux involves the ability to share your car with other users via an app on your smartphone.

As a result, Musk claims your car can then generate income while you’re at work or on holiday, apparently offsetting (or indeed exceeding) the monthly loan or lease cost. 

Musk said: “In cities where demand exceeds the supply of customer-owned cars, Tesla will operate its own fleet, ensuring you can always hail a ride from us no matter where you are.”

Now give us your thoughts on Tesla’s future plans in the comments section below…

Skip advert
Advertisement
Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the our team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

‘BYD is rubbing salt into Tesla’s wounds’
Opinion - BYD
Opinion

‘BYD is rubbing salt into Tesla’s wounds’

Mike Rutherford thinks BYD’s superb start to 2024 is part of the reason Tesla’s market valuation has plummeted
28 Jan 2024
New Tesla Model 2: project ‘Redwood’ will be firm’s entry-level electric car in 2025
Tesla 'Model 2' teaser image
News

New Tesla Model 2: project ‘Redwood’ will be firm’s entry-level electric car in 2025

The baby Tesla will borrow styling and technology from its larger siblings and could be here sooner than you think
25 Jan 2024
Tesla Autopilot safety recall affects two million cars
2016 Tesla Model S - cornering
News

Tesla Autopilot safety recall affects two million cars

Two million US market Teslas will receive a software upgrade to improve the safety of their Autopilot self-driving tech
13 Dec 2023
Munich Motor Show 2023: news round-up and all the new cars
Auto Express Munich Motor Show 2023 guide header image
News

Munich Motor Show 2023: news round-up and all the new cars

This year's Munich Motor Show saw big reveals from BMW, Cupra, Mercedes, MINI, Renault, Tesla and Volkswagen
6 Sep 2023

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in
Skoda Enyaq iV - front cornering
News

Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in

Skoda’s family-friendly EV with 348-mile range is our Car Deal of the Day for 26 March
26 Mar 2024