[teh_klev]

Given the UK's commitment to ban the sale of new fossil fuel cars, and the likelihood of the EU following suit, I think Tesla's lunch is about to be eaten.

Why do I think this? Well, up until now none of the European car manufacturers have made any real efforts to design, build and market a corporate road warrior car (think Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall/Opel/GM Vectra, BMW 3 series etc). The kinda thing that batters up and down the M1, M4, M6 etc with a member off staff, a laptop and their suitcase.

I reckon their R&D depts have been quietly busy on the problem of extended battery life etc, but for now they're milking the ICE for all they can get. It takes on average 6-10 years to bring a new car to market, when properly focused. I reckon the big European names are now very focused. It's tick-tock time for Tesla.

[gsnedders]

I mean we've already seen a big shift in the EU market, given the drive to decrease the fleet average to 95g CO2/km. This is why the VW Group is now launching EVs on a near monthly basis, why Mercedes-Benz has launched multiple EVs in the past year, why PSA has, etc.

If they want to hit their goals, and avoid fines in the EU market, they need to drastically reduce the CO2 emissions of the cars they're selling. And realistically to meet those targets they need to start shipping EVs is significant quantity, which means they can't be quirky different vehicles, they need to be mass-market ones.

[MDTHLN]

I think you’re right but for the opposite reason.

Tesla have shown very little inclination to design cars suitable for European roads (e.g. small-medium sized hatchbacks). B-segment car buyers in Europe will opt for an ID3.

For motorway mile-munchers Tesla still have the advantage of their super-charging network to set them apart.