Market
By Christopher M. Uhl
Tesla vs. Mercedes: The Electric Car Showdown
Alright, so Mercedes-Benz just announced they’re sticking with gas-powered cars for a lot longer than they planned. Why? Because they can’t keep up with Tesla. As a Tesla fanboy, I find this pretty entertaining.
Mercedes had this big goal of having a CO2-neutral fleet by 2039, but now they’re saying they’ll keep making gas cars because their EVs aren’t selling as well as they hoped. This isn’t the first time they’ve had to backtrack. They also pushed their 2025 goal of having EVs make up 50% of their sales to 2030.
Why is Tesla so far ahead? One big reason is safety. Tesla's EVs have motors directly on the wheels, which gives them instant traction and stability control. This is a huge advantage over gas cars, which have a lag in response time. It makes Tesla’s cars a lot safer, especially in bad weather.
Tesla's also just really efficient at making cars. Even companies like Stellantis are starting to make a profit on their EVs, so it’s definitely possible. But Mercedes is still stuck making what I call “dinosaur cars,” and they’re struggling to figure out how to compete.
Some people say EVs are too expensive, but when you look at the long-term savings, it’s worth it. Charging my Tesla costs way less than filling up a gas tank. Sure, the upfront cost is higher, but the savings and the fact that you’re not polluting as much make it a good deal.
Mercedes sticking with gas cars just shows they’re having a hard time keeping up with Tesla. Tesla keeps innovating and pushing the boundaries of what electric cars can do. It’s an exciting time for the EV market, and I can’t wait to see how this all plays out.
