No Key: Unlock Your Tesla With An iPhone

Tesla Motors, the electric car company that sells direct to consumers, may not even need a key. A report by Electrek, indicates that a new iOS update for the Tesla will allow drivers to start their vehicle using only their iPhone. This innovation is one of three Tesla-related topics that have surfaced recently. The others are a company that wants to double the battery life of the Model S and the addition of the Tesla infinite mile warranty.

First off, the concept of the Tesla Model S being started via iPhone was noticed when the upcoming iOS update for the Tesla app was uncovered to the tech watchdog website Electrek. The information preceding the release explained what would change on the iOS version 8.0. Changes included an in-car calendar, the ability for drivers to name their Tesla and the ability to start the vehicle with an iPhone incase they don’t have their key fob. How is this going to be done? No one is sure, yet. Initial speculation includes a combination of password and the iPhone Touch ID verification system.

This possible innovation of an iPhone-started Model S comes on the heels of Tesla’s announcement of the infinite mile warranty. On August 15, Elon Musk wrote a blog post announcing that all Tesla Model S 85kWH Sedans, past and present will have an 8-year infinite mile warranty.  Musk said that, “If we truly believe that electric motors are fundamentally more reliable than gasoline engines, with far fewer moving parts and no oily residue or combustion byproducts to gum up the works, then our warranty policy should reflect that.”

He also explained that the vehicle could have an unlimited number of owners during that period. This new warranty is in stark contrast that the previous one. The original warranty lasted 4-years and 50,000 miles for every 85kWh model S, while owners could double it to 8 years and 100,000 miles for $4,000.

Finally, as Tesla is giving out longer warranties, one startup announced on August 20^th that they could potentially double the battery life of electric cars. Sakti3, a startup in Michigan has made what they called a breakthrough in the battery business. They say that they have created battery technology that could allow a Tesla Model S to have a range of about 480 miles and cost half of what that company currently pays for their lithium-ion batteries. Time will tell if this startup can deliver on their promise and push the Tesla Fleet into a more affordable range.