The list of most anticipated EVs by Tesla in 2020 and 2021

Last decade was signed by drastic changes in almost every sphere of our everyday life. The whole bunch of the high-tech solutions surround us almost everywhere, be it at home or outdoors.

Tesla Fremont factory

It’s almost impossible now to imagine how our life would be without all these sometimes invisible interventions, allowing us to use the most prominent technologies that make our days confident, comfortable and safe. There is a name that could be considered as a synonym of all these wonders, the brand that turned the automotive world upside down by setting totally new standards and approaches to very conservative industry.


The name of the company is Tesla, which produced its first model in 2008. Although the Roadster was able to travel almost 250 miles on a single charge, with an acceleration and top speed comparable to many consumer level sports cars. But, its price was too high to attract the customers.

Only since 2012, when the first Tesla Model S was launched, the new era of electrification has begun. The Model S was very successful, it was awarded by several automotive and environmental publications and set new benchmarks for what an electric vehicle could be.

Since then, Tesla hasn’t stopped to amaze the world with its astonishing products, like mass-market Model 3, and a newly revealed Cybertruck. Moreover, according to the latest Tesla’s report of the fourth quarter earnings in 2019, the electric car maker earned $7.38 billion in revenue. Much more than it was expecting.

The company that delivered around 112,000 vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2019, is expected to produce over 500,000 vehicles in 2020, which will be another record for the company.

2019 was a huge turning point for Tesla, thanks to strong and always growing demand for the Model 3. Tesla has generated about $1.1 billion of free cash flow for the year, and that’s why we could expect much more in the upcoming one to two years.

Robo Taxis

Now, let’s discuss new Tesla products that are on the way to hit the roads in the upcoming two years, during Tesla’s autonomy Day event in 2019. Elon Musk announced the company’s Robo taxi plan for a self-driving ride-sharing network with its electric cars.


The company also aims at bringing a fleet of fully autonomous Model 3 Robo taxis to the roads without steering wheels and pedals. The timeline depends on the regulators in different jurisdictions, but the system is expected to be enabled in at least one market by the end of 2020.

Tesla Model 3

Actually all new Tesla vehicles are coming to market with the full self-driving computer chip, fulfilling the hardware requirements for a high-level self-driving vehicle. And the owners will be able to add their cars to the shared fleet, if they gained the full self-driving package.

It’s estimated, a Model 3 used as a Robo taxi could generate about $30,000 in gross profit per year, without drivers. And with improvements in the battery energy efficiency, the transportation cost will possibly drastically decrease per mile. The standard cost of ride-sharing in the US is about two to three dollars per mile. The Robo taxi ride will cost only 18 cents per mile, which is ten to fifteen times less.

Semi Truck

The second awaited model for 2020 is the all-electric semi truck, unveiled to the public in November 2017, which is going to revolutionize the whole commercial transportation system. Musk initially promised to start the production in 2019, but it was delayed until the end of 2020.

Tesla semi-truck

Anyway, it seems all the amazing features of the semi are worth waiting for. The Tesla’s truck will be powered by four electric motors that are based on the ones that power the Model 3, and can accelerate the semi-truck from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 5 seconds without a trailer, and only 20 seconds with 80,000 pounds of cargo.

Actually, its performance is much above when it comes to traditional gasoline powered trucks. One of the most important factors is the semi’s cabin design, which prevents it from jackknifing, making it very safe on the highways, and potentially rescuing thousands of motorists lives.

Two variants of the truck provide drivers with 300 or 500 miles of range per charge. Although, Tesla is already working on the new battery technologies, so the semi production versions range could be closer to 600 miles instead.

Standard equipment assembly includes automatic emergency braking system, obstacle recognition and Lane Keeping Assist functions. As well as, the forward collision warning system, and the ability to communicate wirelessly with other vehicles on the road.


The truck is expected to cost about $150,000 for the standard version, and $200,000 for the founders series. A number of leading large companies have already placed pre-orders on the semi, intending to use the new truck to reduce their carbon footprint, and raise the efficiency level.

Plaid Mode

Besides these new vehicles, we can expect two new versions of existing Model S and Model X, which remain Tesla’s flagship vehicles. Elon Musk has plans to bring Plaid mode for these models to market, sometime around October or November in 2020.

Plaid is the newest and quickest mode, set to roll out for the Tesla Model S. It means, an additional electric motor will be mounted on the rear axle of each car, which will provide overall better handling and acceleration.

Musk has already announced that the company succeeded to significantly improve the chemistry of the existing battery packs. We’re rapidly approaching a 400 mile range for the Model S, so it won’t be long before the Model S has a 400 mile range, he said.

Other changes include wider arches and wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Sport RS tires, as well as possibly carbon ceramic brakes and rear facing jump seats. The new Plaid versions of both the Model S and X will not only be fast on the straight line, but will also be enabled to set new records on the track.

Model Y

The long-awaited Model Y, a crossover, built on the same platform used for the model 3, has finally gone into production to be delivered from March 2020. The Model Y should be comparable in size with such trend-setting models like the BMW X3, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Tesla Model Y

Elon Musk said earlier, the Model Y should have the functionality of an SUV, but ride like a sports car, due to a low center of gravity, and an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.23.

The most important innovation from the production point of view is the fact, Tesla is going to the aluminium casting design, instead of traditional stainless steel and aluminium pieces. By using approximately only one part instead of the former 71s.

The first versions to deliver in 2020 will be the dual motor Long Range, and Performance models with new 20 or 21 inch wheel options. Both variants can achieve a range of 280 miles, but thanks to engineering progress and 19-inch Gemini wheels, which are now standard for both models.

The all-wheel drive Model Y can overcome a distance of 315 miles, making is the most energy efficient electric SUV in the world, with 4.1 miles of range per kilowatt hour. It obviously beats Ford Mach-E, and the already commercialized Jaguar I-Pace. The rear-wheel drive Long Range model was also originally announced, but currently there’s no mention of it on Tesla’s website. The cheapest Model Y, or the standard variant is expected to be available in 2021.

Cybertruck

Revealed in November 2019, the Tesla Cybertruck remains the most controversial and at the same time the most anticipated vehicle of Tesla’s model range, with its ultra hard stainless steel body, triangular design and almost unbreakable glasses, the Cybertruck is going to fully change the pickup truck market landscape.

Tesla Cybertruck

It will be available in three different configurations, including the single motor rear-wheel drive model, as well as two and three motor models with all-wheel drive configuration. The weakest cyber truck will go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds, and could reach a top speed of 110 miles per hour.

The dual motor Cybertruck is much quicker, and will reportedly reach 60 miles per hour in just 4.5 seconds, and can do a top speed of 120 miles per hour. Finally the ultimate version is able to speed up from 0 to 60 miles per hour in only 2.9 seconds, and reach a top speed of 130 miles per hour.

Cyberquad

One of the most interesting options available for Cybertruck buyers will be the two-person ATV dubbed, the Cyberquad, at the Cybertruck launch event.

Tesla Cyberquad ATV

This four-wheeler scrambled up the cargo area of a Cybertruck, which became possible due to the proper work of the pickups adaptive suspension system. Besides, Tesla also provides a unique option to charge the all-electric ATV right there in the bed of the Cybertruck, so it would be amazing to meet this couple on the roads in 2021.

Model 3 Upgrade

The other solution, known as ludicrous mode, that’s already present on Tesla’s higher models, could become available for the Tesla Model 3 by the end of 2020. It is aimed to provide much faster acceleration, and will enable the vehicle to reach 60 miles per hour in less than 3 seconds.

The biggest battery pack available for the Model 3 has a 75 kilowatt hours capacity, but the new Model 3 might be equipped with a 100 kilowatt hours battery pack, for an EPA rated range of 400 miles per charge.

Roadster Gen 2

The second generation of Tesla’s first-ever model, the famous Roadster, the conceptual Roadster 2, was revealed alongside the semi-truck as a bonus to the launch event. Elon Musk said, the new Tesla Roadster will be the fastest production car ever made, and it would obviously be due to its three motors configuration. Two motors driving the rear wheels, and one driving the front.

Tesla Roadster Gen 2

Tesla promises a 200 kilowatts hour battery pack for the Roadster, which is exactly twice as much as the capacity of the actual largest pack available on any Tesla car. It will probably serve as a source for all that combo of speed, acceleration and an unprecedented 620 mile range.

The Roadster gen 2 will be able to speed up from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 1.9 seconds, reach 100 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds, and develop a top speed above 250 miles per hour.

Model 2

Finally, let’s not forget about the so called Model 2, which is going to be the most affordable Tesla vehicle so far. There is no detailed info on this vehicle, but assumably, it will come with 400 to 500 miles of range in its top spec variant. It could also have a base variant with a smaller battery pack and lower range. It may be designed in a future design and engineering center, which is going to be established in China, to create an original car for worldwide consumption.

Tesla Model 2

So these were the most anticipated Tesla services and products for the upcoming 12 to 18 months. Right now, there could be doubts on the deployment of the Robo taxi system, that could face different obstacles, such as, unclear federal regulation of the usage of the vehicles without steering wheel and pedals. We think this issue would be arranged as soon as the demand for the self-driving rides arise.

Author: Nabeel K
Email: nabeel@wheelsjoint.com



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Robert C
Robert C
4 years ago

All things come to an end. I believe with the many advances in electric motors and batteries in electric cars it won’t be too many more years before internal combustion engines go the way of the dinosaur. If I had the money, I’d have a Tesla right now. I’ve already switched to battery only yard equipment and some of the standard Tesla models already outperform most anything on the street. They need to up the mileage range on some models though. My 13 year old, 180,000 mile Chevy Malibu still gets over 400 miles to the tankful.

Kevin
Kevin
4 years ago

What steps Musk is planning to take when countries like DRC have kids as slaves digging out the metals needed to produce the batteries and components? Because as more self-titled geniuses pay way too much for a Hot Wheels knock off called Cybertruck, there’s going to be a similar expansion in all the exploitation industry brings. Oils gas rubber and automotive industries have already done enough harm and I have yet to see Tesla or Musk address any of the labor, pollution, tax evasions that’ll take place.