GUEST REPORTING: ELON MUSK – PROFILE OF A GREEN LEADER

Guest reporter Emma Bailey profiles a giant in the New Energy world.

Elon Musk: The “Green” Movement’s Leading Innovator

Elon Musk is no ordinary car company executive. The CEO of Tesla Motors is spreading his innovative spirit into a number of projects, all of which share a common goal: to advance renewable energy technologies in an effort to create a more sustainable lifestyle in the coming years.

Tesla, the electric car company based in California, is Musk’s most well-known venture and also the most developed. While other automobile companies in America and abroad continue to favor gas-powered cars or hybrid models, Tesla is completely devoted to Musk’s vision for a zero-emission vehicle.

Tesla’s shining star, the Model S, which has been on sale in the United States since 2012, achieves that vision at a high price tag. It is powered by innovative battery technology and can be recharged through a home outlet or at special Tesla charging stations across America. In the spirit of meeting the growing demand for electric vehicles, Tesla has introduced a new vehicle, the Gen 3, which is scheduled to be released in 2016 and is expected to be more affordable than the Model S.

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With Tesla, Musk has spearheaded the electric car revolution in the United States. If his plan succeeds and Tesla is able to produce more models at lower prices, then it will become more feasible for American consumers to embrace electric cars and the sustainability benefits that they provide. In addition, Tesla’s recent success has pushed other auto brands to make their own moves into the electric market. Nissan and Ford both have fully electric cars in their fleets, which is a positive sign for the green movement.

But Musk’s advancement in environmental technology does not end with sporty electric sedans. In a recent Tesla earnings call, the CEO revealed that the company is working on an innovative battery pack that could one day power entire homes. Few details are known at this time, but production is expected to begin soon. If Tesla is able to manufacture household battery storage units, then it could provide a compelling greener solution for homeowners who want an alternative to their traditional energy provider’s direct energy rates.

In recent years, Musk’s green goals have expanded beyond this planet. He is the founder and CEO of SpaceX, a space transport company with the goal of reducing the cost of space travel. One of SpaceX’s current major projects is the launch of a new observatory that will capture information about weather outside of Earth’s atmosphere. Musk hopes that the data the observatory obtains will shed critical information about climate change trends, allowing governments and organizations to better plan their sustainability initiatives.

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Musk is also one of the chief people behind the SolarCity program. It has forged partnerships with governments and companies to improve and distribute solar-powered infrastructure across the United States. Musk’s heavy involvement in SolarCity shows how devoted he is to creating clean, sustainable, and renewable energy sources.

The Hyperloop project may be the boldest one in Musk’s current portfolio. Currently, the Hyperloop is little more than a concept, but it has the potential to revolutionize the mass transport industry and contribute to a sustainable future. Musk wants to build an alternative to trains that will transport pressurized capsules at high speeds through underground tunnels. Musk has plans to begin developing a demo version of the Hyperloop, with hopes of creating a full version that will connect Los Angeles and San Francisco.

There is no guarantee that any of Elon Musk’s new projects will ever reach the level of success that Tesla Motors is enjoying, but one thing is abundantly clear: when it comes to green, sustainable technologies, Musk has no shortage of innovative ideas.

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