Tesla T

What does the logo with the Tesla T really stand for?

You might think that the Tesla logo with the sleek T simply stands for the name Tesla, but this is not correct. Of course, you may assume that it was chosen because of the name Tesla, too. But as Elon Musk revealed in a Twitter post, it’s actually a symbolic representation of an important component found in an electric motor.

 

Model 3/Y Lifting Jack pad - 4 Pack
Model 3/Y Lifting Jack pad - 4 Pack*
by Teslapuck

4 pack with mesh storage bag. Proper use will help protect battery and paint from damage. Can be used with floor jack or 2-post lift

List Price: $ 22.99 You Save: $ 3.00  Price: $ 19.99 Buy now at Amazon*
Price incl. VAT., Excl. Shipping
Last updated on 03/19/2024 at 2:16 am - Image source: Amazon Affiliate Program. All statements without guarantee.

 

 

Shop for more Tesla Accessories here!

 

This is what the Tesla T logo stands for

If you look at the cross-section of an electric motor, you can see the rotating rotor and the fixed stator:

Electric motor
Image Credits: Abnormaal / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0

The whole thing schematically looks something like this and already in 2013 there was speculation in the internet forum Quora.com whether the logo had anything to do with it or not. A more detailed rendering of the electric motor was also later posted on Twitter.

Quite left side, inside is the rotating rotor with wire windings (black/orange), outside is the immovable stator magnet (violet) and between is an air gap. On the diagram shown in the middle you can see it even better.


Advertisement


In fact, the rotor together with a part of the stator looks similar to the Tesla T logo. This comparison from Quora.com shows the old Tesla logo with the shield in the lower-right corner. Today, only the symbol in the shape of a T is used and the shield is omitted. However, this use is not completely correct. The schematic shows only a synchronous electric motor and Tesla does not use this type of motor in all vehicles. In older models S and X only an asynchronous motor is used.

This Twitter post of Elon Musk in January 2017 makes it clear:

Tesla T Twitter
Image credits: Twitter

 

How did Tesla get his name?

Many people think that Tesla was founded by Elon Musk. But as you can read in the biography of Elon Musk, (Amazon.com Link) Tesla was founded in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Elon Musk joined the company as a venture capital investor in spring 2004 and became chairman of the supervisory board. Originally founded as “Tesla Motors”, the company name is based on the physicist and inventor Nikola Tesla. From 2017 onwards, the “Motors” was finally omitted from the company name.

Meanwhile, Tesla produces different vehicle models and has already announced some more models.

TeslaFi

The Tesla Data Logger

Collect statistics about your trips, power consumption, battery degradation and much more.

Register here to test TeslaFi for four weeks instead of two weeks for free.*

 
* = This post contains Affiliate Links. You support Tesladriver.net if you buy through these links. There are no additional costs for you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.