Tesla, an American automotive company managed by CEO Elon Musk, designs and manufactures cars that are appealing to the eye, run on electric batteries and have self-driving abilities as well as many other features. While the company boasts of its contribution to accelerating and improving the automotive industry, there are multiple issues with Tesla and its vehicles.

     When people are considering buying a Tesla vehicle, money plays a large role in their decision. Tesla tried to convince consumers that its vehicles are cheaper because they do not require gas to run, however, Teslas are not cheap.

     “It’s cheaper in regards to gas. People want everything to be cost-friendly, so they think that an electric car is the way to go,” senior Giselle Galvez said.

     Consumers have to spend a lot of money on the car initially, as Teslas cost anywhere from $46,000 to $200,000 depending on the model of the car and the year it was made. While buyers will not be spending money on gas, they will have a high electric bill because of the need to charge their vehicle. Tesla owners will not be saving much because they will still need to spend money on their car’s battery, and because Teslas are high-powered vehicles, they require a decent amount of charging. According to electrek.com, a website that provides information about the electric aspect of the world, on a level one power outlet, a Tesla requires 20-40 hours worth of charge on a 120-volt battery.

     The next thing people look at when buying an electric car such as a Tesla is the environmental and eco-friendly aspect of it. Consumers believe that an electric car is safer for the environment than a gas car, however, this is simply not the case. 

     “Even though electric cars have no emissions, emissions are still produced by power plants when they create the electricity used for electric cars. The production of electricity and heat accounts for roughly 30% of emissions in the U.S. Emissions are harmful gasses, also known as greenhouse gasses, released into our atmosphere that can cause things like global warming,” agriculture teacher Alexander Turk said. 

     Many people will tell you that gas cars are contributors to global warming, and although this is true, processors creating the electrical power behind Teslas are still letting out the same harmful greenhouse gasses that can cause global warming and harm to our environment. 

     Instead, people should be looking into biofuel. Biofuels are fuels derived from biomass, meaning other animal fats or plant liquids. Biofuel is a renewable energy source making it safer for the environment.

     “Biodiesel is a domestically produced, clean-burning, renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. Using biodiesel as a vehicle fuel increases energy security, improves air quality and environment, and provides safety benefits,” according to the U.S. Department of Energy. 

     Tesla, however, did an admirable job on the interior design of their car. The seats are a red leather color, which is very appealing for people to look at, along with the fact that the big screen inside has luxuries like Netflix and fun games to play. The bigger screen is safer to look at than a phone, for example, when it comes to using maps while driving. Interior design, though, can’t outweigh the flaws associated with the car. 

     “The Tesla company isn’t a car manufacturing company at all. It is a data-collecting company,” Turk said. 

     Because of the influence of technology on their cars, every time a Tesla owner leaves their driveway, the Tesla is gaining data. This data is trying to map out the roads of the world so that one day the car can completely drive itself. They aren’t trying to find the “best” car for the environment or the “best” car for the economy. They’re trying to collect this data through misleading advertisements and superficial elements that are attractive to the human eye.