KFBR392 Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Elon Musk, Tesla Motors Inc.’s outspoken co-founder and chief executive officer, said the maker of Model S electric sedans is making all its patents public in a bid to expand drivers’ adoption of battery-powered autos. Tesla, the youngest U.S. automaker, ranks in top 5 car brands in Consumer Reports survey Tesla was fifth in the poll, up from 11th last year, behind namesake brands of Toyota Motor Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. as well as General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet, the Yonkers, New York-based magazine said Wednesday. Keep reading. The carmaker won’t initiate patent suits against “anyone who, in good faith, wants to use our technology,” Musk said on the Palo Alto, California-based company’s website Thursday. At Tesla’s June 3 annual meeting, Musk said too few automakers offer “serious” electric vehicles and pledged to do something about it. “Tesla Motors was created to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport,” he said. “If we clear a path to the creation of compelling electric vehicles, but then lay intellectual property landmines behind us to inhibit others, we are acting in a manner contrary to that goal.” Tesla, poised to begin developing as many as three sites for a proposed US$5 billion battery “gigafactory,” set a goal in 2006 of being a catalyst to move the auto industry from petroleum to electricity in order to power vehicles. While the company intends to boost deliveries of its US$71,000 Model S sedan by more than 56% this year, it remains far from Musk’s goal of selling hundreds of thousands of vehicles annually. Related Tesla Motors’s Elon Musk says hundreds of ‘gigafactories’ will be needed to meet battery demand Tesla Motors fan-made ad is going viral and even Elon Musk is raving about it Tesla has collaborated with major carmakers on electric cars, supplying battery packs and motors for Toyota Motor Corp. and Daimler AG vehicles. Both companies also hold stakes in Tesla. The automaker has more than 160 issued patents for things like a system to protect battery packs from overcharging and an improved rotor construction in an electric motor, according to the website of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Some of its more recent publicly available patent applications relate to computer-user interfaces and a port to allow for emergency maintenance of a high-energy battery pack. Tesla, which saw its stock climb fourfold last year, rose 0.6% to US$205.78 at 1:08 p.m. in New York. The shares had gained 36% this year through yesterday. http://business.financialpost.com/2014/06/12/tesla-motors-inc-patents/?__lsa=cdc0-4a6c Pretty interesting announcement. It's great to see a leading edge company like Tesla actually promoting the industry as a whole and allowing this. Long term this could be very good for them. Who knows... maybe we'll actually see some kind of alternative energy succeed in our lifetime? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 They continue to impress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombieksa Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Tesla is winning over the western world. They know the future involves making sure the next generation is environmentally and resource conscious. This may lead to additional competition in terms of vehicle models, but I think this decision leads to 2 advantages for Tesla. 1. The company will be recognized as the true leader and I would even say pioneers of a realistic electric car movement, brand loyalty will be huge and making a decision like this will show customers they are confident in their product, and that the customers can as well. 2. One of the biggest concerns with electric vehicles is charging stations. If additional companies begin establishing electric model lines using tesla technology there will be an expansion of charging stations by third parties, thus meaning Tesla does not have to spend the additional capital expanding the radius that their chargers cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklax Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 A huge move to get electric cars to become mainstream, and move towards renewable transportation. Instead of Tesla having to do all the work, the other car companies can come in to fill the holes in the market that aren't solved by the Model S, and soon Model X. Its interesting how many high profile entrepreneurs are not for patents. Mark Cuban is another who has spoken against the perceived benefit of patents, when they feel it really just hinders growth and development Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Western Red Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Would the batteries be conventional or a different composition? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 With luck this will now seriously take hold in the west http://www.taketheroad.com/article/168197/an-ev-with-a-range-of-1600-km/ Almost 2000 KM's on a battery charge!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianLoonie Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Its interesting how many high profile entrepreneurs are not for patents. Mark Cuban is another who has spoken against the perceived benefit of patents, when they feel it really just hinders growth and development Because patent protection via intellectual property laws gives the holder a government-granted monopoly, thus hindering market competition and it's by-product, innovation. It's ironic Mark Cuban is saying that however...you got a source for that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiginJapan Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 The current patent system is really messed up, so this is a very interesting move.Some of the biggest Japanese companies have agreements between themselves to allow each other access to certain patents, which is similar in some respects.We've all seen how successful open source software is so this move by Musk makes you wonder if the same success could be had by open sourcing patents. Of course, the counter argument is that some companies will stop investing in R&D.Overall all though, it looks as if the patent system mostly benefits lawyers and hinders development.Anyway, I really respect Musk for shaking things up. People like him are changing the world for the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklax Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Because patent protection via intellectual property laws gives the holder a government-granted monopoly, thus hindering market competition and it's by-product, innovation. It's ironic Mark Cuban is saying that however...you got a source for that? Well specifically he hates patent trolls, as per his blog http://blogmaverick.com one specific post about it http://blogmaverick.com/2012/04/18/the-greatest-business-risk-you-dont-know-about-your-business-will-be-sued-over-patents/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianLoonie Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Well specifically he hates patent trolls, as per his blog http://blogmaverick.com one specific post about it http://blogmaverick.com/2012/04/18/the-greatest-business-risk-you-dont-know-about-your-business-will-be-sued-over-patents/ Good job, thanks! As I suspected, something didn't smell right, and he immediately revealed it. He claims patent lawsuits are the problem, whereas they're the symptoms...patent laws enacted by the government are the underlying cause. It's akin to having a fever, the high temperature is a symptom of an infection...the fever itself is not a cause... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklax Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Good job, thanks! As I suspected, something didn't smell right, and he immediately revealed it. He claims patent lawsuits are the problem, whereas they're the symptoms...patent laws enacted by the government are the underlying cause. It's akin to having a fever, the high temperature is a symptom of an infection...the fever itself is not a cause... I agree, the laws allow patent lawsuits to exist when the "holders" don't have any business regarding it. Would it not be the best for society and inventors, if the law were changed that you could be granted the exclusive right to use the tech/idea/whatever and defend it in court if you were actually using it? Would protect inventors and the "little guy" while removing the ability for trolls to exist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 This is probably to get more recharging stations for drivers. Musk is a genius. If I had the cash I'd buy one. Hell I'd by a Brammo. Give it a TIE fighter sound, you'd get people going nuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucklehead Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Check this one out. Rimac - Electric Concept One Super Car 1088hp Four motors, one for each wheel, 1088 HP, loads of power at 190 MPH, top speed 305, 1 hour rechargable 92 Kw hours battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboose Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 I see a fair amount of these in Vancouver now. They even have that servicing station on Powell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offensive Threat Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Once fully electric cars become mainstream the current problem of battery disposal at the end of their lifecycle will go away as it will become feasable to invest in ways to recycle them in a profitable way. Instead of just discarding in landfills as is currently done. They can be recycled now but its expensive and there just arent enough needing to be recycled yet to get anyone to invest in it. Most Toyota Prius's, introduced in 1997, that are on the road are still using their initial battery packs so their longevity has been proven. The future demand will create the solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyledude Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 If I didn't live in a winter climate 8 months of the year I would buy one. They are slick machines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklax Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 If I didn't live in a winter climate 8 months of the year I would buy one. They are slick machines. The model X may be up your alley then, AWD SUV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyledude Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 The model X may be up your alley then, AWD SUVThe issue is the batteries. They don't perform well below 0 degrees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Saw this on Facebook last night. Impressive move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobble Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 I assume you couldn't just plug your car in to charge at a regular outlet that Winnipegger's find throughout the city for plugging in their cars during the winter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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