[lumberjack]

>The other car companies will have non-tech retards as ceo's and will always be playing catch-up.

This is false. Most car companies have been researching electric vehicles since the 60's or 70's when the first oil crises happened. And as for technology, Tesla is not actually ahead, in neither range nor charge up speed.

As an example, this is also a "Startup" thing. An electric bus, that gets better range (everything considered) and faster recharge times:

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/proterra-ecoliner-electr...

[grecy]

> Most car companies have been researching electric vehicles since the 60's or 70's when the first oil crises happened

Exactly. They've spent all those years and dollars, and they still have nothing compared to the Model S.

[marshallp]

It's not simply the battery tech. It's all the extra interior stuff like display etc. It's the total package, like apple does. Plus, just like with apple and jobs, or virgin with branson, there's an extra brand factor developing with musk.