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10 Tesla-related unknown facts that will surprise you
Did you know that some early Tesla buyers still enjoy lifetime free charging at Tesla Supercharger stations?
When you hear the word “Tesla,” chances are Elon Musk is the first name that pops into your head.
While Musk is now the face of the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, the origins of Tesla Motors can be traced back to two other minds entirely.
And that’s just one of many unknown truths about the company that’s redefining the future of transportation.
From hidden features in Tesla cars to unexpected controversies behind the scenes, we’ve rounded up 10 surprising Tesla facts that even some hardcore fans might not know.
Interesting Tesla facts you need to know
1. Elon Musk didn't actually found Tesla
It may come as a surprise to many, but Musk is not the founder of Tesla Motors. The EV company was established in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, two engineers who wanted to build high-performance electric vehicles.
However, the tech billionaire joined as an early investor in 2004, leading the company’s first major funding round. Later on, Musk took on a more central role, eventually becoming CEO and the face of the brand.
2. The name “Tesla” has a romantic origin
Did you know the EV company was named as a tribute to the Serbian-American inventor who developed the AC motor technology, "Nikola Tesla."
Interestingly, the idea for the name came during a date between co-founder Martin Eberhard and his wife at Disneyland, making it one of the most romantically inspired tech brand names in history.
3. Tesla went bankrupt twice
Currently, Tesla is worth over $1.029 trillion, but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In 2008, Tesla came dangerously close to bankruptcy during the financial crisis.
Similarly, again in 2013, Musk revealed the company had only a few weeks of operating cash left. At one point, he even considered selling Tesla to Google to stay afloat.
4. Tesla borrowed $465 million from US government
Another interesting fact is that, despite being seen as a symbol of Silicon Valley, Tesla owes part of its early survival to a $465 million loan from the US Department of Energy in 2010.
The company repaid the loan early, with interest, which helped build its reputation as a serious, self-sustaining tech firm.
5. Musk paid $11 million for Tesla domain name
For years, Tesla operated under the domain name TeslaMotors.com. It wasn’t until 2016 that Musk finally acquired Tesla.com for around $11 million, making it one of the most expensive domain purchases in history.
6. Tesla Roadster used laptop batteries
Launched in 2008, the first-generation Tesla Roadster wasn’t only revolutionary, it was built using laptop batteries. It contained 6,831 individual lithium-ion cells, the same type found in many notebooks at the time.
Despite the unconventional approach, the Roadster could go from 0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds and travel more than 200 miles on a single charge.
7. Tesla’s Superchargers offer free charging for life
Do you know that some early Tesla buyers still enjoy lifetime free charging at Tesla Supercharger stations, a perk that was quietly phased out in later models. It was a powerful incentive in the early days to encourage the adoption of EVs.
8. Tesla cars come with secret "Easter eggs"
Tesla vehicles are full of hidden features, or “Easter eggs,” that owners can unlock through simple sequences.
Such as, turning the display into Rainbow Road i.e. , a nod to Mario Kart, activating Santa Mode, or launching a “Light Show” with synchronised headlights.
These Easter eggs can also take many forms, from light shows and unique sounds to references to popular TV shows or movies like Lost or James Bond. These quirky features add fun and personality, a rarity in the automotive industry.
9. Tesla cars aren’t as environmentally-friendly as you think
While EVs are generally more eco-friendly than gasoline cars, Tesla's environmental impact isn’t entirely clean. The lithium, cobalt, and nickel used in Tesla’s batteries involve resource-intensive mining, which raises concerns about long-term sustainability.
10. Tesla leads in vehicle safety ratings
Despite all the flashy features, Tesla’s real strength might be safety. Tesla vehicles consistently rank among the safest cars in crash tests, a lesser-known fact that often gets overshadowed by talk of speed and tech.
The Tesla Model S once achieved the highest safety score ever recorded by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
