In a move which could accelerate the penetration of electric cars in the auto industry, Tesla Motors, the Palo Alto California based electric car maker, has announced that it will allow other automakers to use their patents.
With the depleting oil reserves and increasing air pollution, electric cars is the only viable option. Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk wants the world to drive electric vehicles so he has revealed the company will allow other automakers to use their patents and will “not initiate patent lawsuits against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use our technology.”
Today, some major car makers are also researching on making electric cars affordable and more efficient. This move may just encourage them build electric cars with a large production volume.
Musk says the company originally obtained the patents because they were afraid larger automakers would copy their technology and then use their manufacturing and sales / marketing muscle to put them out of business. He goes on to say “We couldn’t have been more wrong” as electric car programs at the major manufacturers are small to non-existent and the few electric vehicles they do offer have a limited range and production volume.
According to Musk, “Tesla Motors was created to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport. If we clear a path to the creation of compelling electric vehicles, but then lay intellectual property landmines behind us to inhibit others, we are acting in a manner contrary to that goal.”
Source : Tesla Motors