When it comes to innovations in the automotive industry, Teslas have been the talk of town. It carries various features that other cars lack. Some of these features are as follows:
- Autopilot
- Climate Control
- Streaming Services
- Camp Mode
With all of these features and qualities, the innovation makes a lot more sense. Everyone is clamoring to get their hands on their latest models. However, this car is not without its constraints. In this blog, we will expand on them.
In This Blog
Top 9 Problems with Owning A Tesla 1
- Software and Hardware Updates 1
- Not Eco-Friendly 2
- Resale Value 2
- No Spare Tires 3
- Brake Systems 3
- Less Effective in Cold Weather 3
- Recharge Time 3
- Limited Accessibility to Assistance 4
- Autopilot Scandals 4
1. Software and Hardware Updates
Tesla updates its software quite regularly. To ensure fast and timely updates, Tesla recommends that you keep your car connected to a WiFi system. This is specifically instructed for when you are parked at home. You need a strong and reliable residential WiFi plan to keep your car software and maps updated. If you ignore updates, you might face issues navigating or enjoying their software features. Spectrum is one such provider that provides uninterrupted connection and robust customer service in the event of a signal drop. Their internet packages are also affordable as well as feature-packed.
This is for a software update; however, there are also hardware updates to be weary of. Every model gets an update, rendering the last one that is hard to use and obsolete.
It is not a smart choice to incorporate all the updates on the car because of the risk of making them too performance intensive. We often see this complication in cell phones. If you want an upgraded car, you will need to buy a new model. This adds to the longstanding list of expenses Tesla brings you. We will detail these extra expenses over the next few sections.
2. Not Eco-Friendly
Here is the shocker. Tesla cars are actually not environmentally friendly at all. Despite running on electricity and lacking fuel emissions, the factory plants emit exponentially harmful elements into the environment. This pollution caused by creating one battery of Tesla is just as much as driving a regular car for almost eight years.
Additionally, the initial plan was that Tesla would recycle old cars for new ones. Later, this idea was discarded because a Tesla battery was not recyclable. This is another factor that contributes to wastage and pollution.
If you are interested in saving the environment by dialing down your fuel consumption, you are better off using a bike. You don’t even have to break the bank on a Tesla. Acquiring and maintaining a Tesla car can prove to be quite heavy on the pocket of an average Joe.
3. Resale Value
When we are talking about breaking the bank, there is one other drawback that comes to mind. That is, you don’t know the resale value of a Tesla. The reason for this is that Teslas are far too new and unprecedented to predict anything about the market value of this product in the long run. Prolonged usage tends to uncover deeper flaws in the car.
Tesla has not been around long enough, neither is it very commonly owned for people to review it properly. This also limits the possibility of purchasing a used Tesla. Its worth in the market of used cars is still very ambiguous. To add to this, Tesla batteries are not recyclable. This impacts the resale model very heavily.
4. No Spare Tires
It is a common practice to include spare tires with the car for emergency usage, but seems like Tesla didn’t get the memo. You have to purchase a spare tire with Tesla, and considering the dent you make while getting a Tesla, there is normally not much room left to invest more.
To expand, if you have a damaged tire in the middle of the freeway or near woods, either you will have to buy a spare tire or stay stranded.
5. Brake Systems
Unlike a regular car, Tesla has a regenerative brake system that recharges the battery every time you hit the brakes. When you hit the brakes on a Tesla, the motor converts the kinetic energy into energy stored in the battery of the vehicle.
Sometimes, the brakes come into action without the wheels stopping. This cuts off the power to the engine. Just the thought of this is very daunting, especially for someone who is new to Tesla and is inexperienced in driving one.
6. Less Effective in Cold Weather
Since Tesla has an electronic battery system, it is more susceptible to weather changes than a regular car. In near-freezing temperatures, a Tesla comes under several technical issues. Chief of these is the battery gets depleted. The other one is that the range meter stops working.
This is not it. It is a general opinion that a Tesla is hard to manage for inexperienced drivers on icy and slippery roads. This is because the starting torques go as low as 0 rpm. Even a little acceleration can prove to be deadly.
7. Recharge Time
For those who are used to spending only five to ten minutes on refueling their cars, a Tesla can prove to be a whole other adjustment curve. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half for a complete recharge.
Speaking of adjustment curves, there is also the factor of range anxiety. Being far from a recharging station or on the freeway, it gets very tricky when you don’t have an adequate battery. Running out of battery is a fear that a lot of users face. For this reason, you have to know the map of charging stations in your vicinity like the back of your hand.
8. Limited Accessibility to Assistance
Getting help for breakdowns is very challenging for a Tesla compared to a regular car. Roadside assistance mechanisms for Teslas are few and hard to find. This is because it is a limited and exclusive car. Help is only available in heavily urbanized areas and highways with a lot of traffic.
There are several things that even a layman can do without a mechanic in the event the car runs out of fuel or breaks down in the middle of the road. The only way out of this is the AAA Gold Plus package. This is an added cost on top of the car payment, the spare tire, and other expenses that come with this commodity. Calling a tow truck is one of your only few options.
9. Autopilot Scandals
The major unique selling proposition and the most pronounced draw of a Tesla is its autopilot. Despite the disclaimer from Elon Musk that this feature is only semi-autonomous, consumers are depending on this feature. There have been several instances of road accidents and deaths due to this reason. The autopilot features impart a false sense of security in the driver, making them vulnerable to accidents.
Summing Up
This discussion does not imply that Tesla has failed as a car company. It is a very advanced and incredibly tech-savvy car. It is a great choice for those who can afford it.
However, it is needless to say that the technology is still in a very nascent stage. There is a lot to be improved and explored as there is in any new technology. The larger market may not yet be ready to receive this product for a variety of reasons. The updated tech may find a way to make it more affordable and a lot safer and convenient for regular users.
