Why a Tesla also is just a car with a soul and you should get one too
Are you worried about getting an EV because a Tesla doesn’t have a soul? I have created a short video with memories from my 1 year experience owning a Tesla Model 3 Performance. After watching this video you will understand why a Tesla also has a soul and you should consider getting one too.
Why is a Tesla EV no different than an ICE car?
While a Tesla and an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle use completely different technologies for propulsion, they are fundamentally identical in their basic architecture, legal classification, physical dynamics, and human use cases.
Core Similarities Tesla EV vs Regular ICE car
1. Vehicle Dynamics & Chassis Engineering
- Suspension & Steering: Teslas use traditional mechanical suspensions (double wishbone front, multi-link rear) and electromechanical rack-and-pinion steering.
- Brakes: Teslas feature standard hydraulic disc brakes (calipers, rotors, pads, and brake fluid). While regenerative braking reduces friction brake wear, physical hydraulic brakes are still required for emergency stops and bringing the car to a complete rest.
- Tires & Wheels: High-torque EVs place heavy demands on rubber. Teslas use identical tire mounting standards, wheel alignments, tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), and routine rotation maintenance as ICE cars.
2. Structural & Safety Foundations
- Crash & Structural Safety: Both types of cars rely on stamped steel/aluminum crumple zones, side-impact intrusion beams, high-strength pillars, and airbags to pass crash testing standards.
- Cabin & Interior Assemblies: Heating/AC systems (heat pumps or compressors), seats, seatbelts, glass, mirrors, door latches, and window regulators function identically on a daily basis.
3. Low-Voltage Electrical Systems
- 12V / 16V Auxiliary Architecture: Just like an ICE car, a Tesla uses a secondary low-voltage battery to power essential electronics. Headlights, hazard lights, power locks, touchscreens, audio, and safety modules run off this low-voltage system—meaning if the low-voltage battery dies, the vehicle cannot be unlocked or turned on, even if the high-voltage pack is fully charged.
4. Legal & Operational Realities
- Traffic & Road Rules: Both are legally classified as light passenger vehicles subject to the same traffic laws, crash safety mandates, licensing requirements, and insurance structures.
- Consumables & Wear Items: Beyond tires and brake fluid, both vehicles share basic wear items such as cabin air filters, windshield wiper blades, washer fluid, and suspension bushings.
Key Technical Differences
| Feature | Tesla (EV) | ICE Vehicle |
| Powertrain | Electric motor(s), single-speed gearbox, inverter | Multi-cylinder engine, complex multi-gear transmission |
| Moving Parts | ~20–30 in the drivetrain | 2,000+ in the engine & transmission |
| Refueling | Kilowatt-hours (kWh) via plug | Gasoline/Diesel per gallon or liter |
| Routine Maintenance | No engine oil, spark plugs, or exhaust maintenance | Regular oil/filter changes, spark plugs, timing belts |
| Thermal Management | Liquid coolant loops for battery pack & electronics | Radiator loop for engine block cooling |
Feedback
Strip away the electric motor, battery pack, and gas tank, and a Tesla is built on 120+ years of traditional automotive engineering: four tires on asphalt, a steering wheel controlling a mechanical rack, hydraulic brakes, and a chassis built to absorb kinetic energy in a crash.
What’s your opinion? Do you think a Tesla has a soul? Write your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Please help grow my YouTube channel by subscribing or becoming a premium channel member, so I can test, review and compare new products. Please support my channel and use my Tesla promo code for a big discount on your new car or free supercharger Miles.