Tesla Goes Open Source On Electric Car Know-How

I’ve been a vocal electric car doubter. I don’t believe it’s the real answer to our mass vehicle fuel needs. And I have yet to meet an independent expert who thinks we”ll all be plugging in.

That said, despite a few PR dust-ups dealt with quite directly by tech savant Tesla chief Elon Musk, the $85,000 Tesla S is a very impressive looking car with technology advantages over other electrics. 

And we are starting to see more of them here in the Philadelphia. Last year just under 20,000 Tesla S models were sold in the US about half of those in the electric car ‘fields of the lord’ of California! Another 5,000 were shipped abroad.

Recently it appears that Tesla is planning to use its technology advantage as a means of boosting revenue, given its low production volume. The new Mercedes B-class offers a lithium ion powered electric motor developed by Tesla delivering an estimated 85 miles of range per three and a half hour charge, with a 60-mile boost from two additional hours of charging.

Just recently Musk announced the company is offering its know-how “open source” and will not enforce any of the 200 patents they hold on long-range electric battery drivetrains or the software that keeps them going,

“Tesla will not initiate patent lawsuits against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use our technology,” Musk posted on his blog.

Though Musk is essentially putting a big chunk of intellectual property out on the curb with a sign that says “Take Me!” the move will probably encourage more opportunities for Tesla to work with various competitors.