Here’s What We Think Elon Will Talk About During Today’s Tesla Earnings Call
A Tesla earnings call is always a fun experience. More often than not, Elon lets some little tidbit slip that wasn’t part of the script, much to the delight of the audience and consternation of the company’s lawyers. We know there will be talk of deliveries and gross margins and earnings before interest and taxes. GAAP and non-GAAP figures will be thrown around and a few questions will be asked from the steely eyed financial analysts on the call.
The big question on many people’s mind is, will the price of Tesla shares rise or fall as a result? The stock is down about a third from its all-time high in January. Will Elon deliver the goods to make it go back up? For many who are not shareholders, it’s just fun and useful to see how the Tesla story is unfolding. Here are a few topics that may tell the tale.
Editor’s note: Be sure to check in later on YouTube to watch our live coverage of the conference call, which includes all sorts of goodies.
China
Tesla has placed a huge bet on the Chinese market for electric cars, selecting Shanghai for its first new factory. But then there seemed to have been some bumps in the road for Tesla in that country this year. Or not.
First came news that Teslas had been banned from Chinese military installations because their cameras could inadvertently capture classified information. Then there were reports that sales were down significantly, something my colleague Johnna Crider exposed as false a few days ago. Then there was a minor recall for Chinese made Teslas that was a tempest in a teapot.
“The China growth story is the top of the list for Tesla,” Dan Ives, tech analyst with Wedbush Securities, tells CNN Business. “This is their key market. We believe 40% of their sales will come from there next year. I think that’s the linchpin to the stock going up or down.”
Regulatory Credits
One of the constant complaints about Tesla is that it makes more money selling zero-emission credits to other manufacturers than it does selling cars. If its net income for the second quarter exceeds those credits, that will be a significant milestone for the company. “That would throw one of the core bear arguments against the stock out the window,” Dan Ives says. The consensus estimate is that Tesla will report net income of more than $600 million. In the first quarter, it made $518 million from selling credits.
Bitcoin
In February, Tesla said it had purchased $1.5 billion worth of Bitcoin and would allow customers to pay for their cars using the digital currency. In April, the company announced it had netted $101 million from its Bitcoin transactions. The value of digital currencies can fluctuate wildly over short periods of time, which makes professional investors nervous.
For a while, Tesla stopped accepting Bitcoin payments, saying the platform used too much electrical power from fossil fuel sources. But now Elon says Bitcoin may soon be welcome again. Once again, Ives thinks dabbling in Bitcoin is a negative sign that worries investors, much like twisting the tail of the SEC or sparking up a phattie with Joe Rogen. Expect more on this topic to surface during the Q2 earnings call.
Supply Chain Concerns
It’s common knowledge that automakers around the world are struggling to manage a shortage of computer chips, the tiny devices that manage everything from blind spot detection to stability control and adaptive cruise control systems. Tesla is no exception. In addition, demand for lithium, nickel, and other raw materials to manufacture batteries is soaring as more and more manufacturers join the EV revolution. Analysts will be looking for information about how Tesla is managing its supply chains to control costs.
Gigafactories
Tesla is moving full speed ahead to bring its two newest factories in Germany and Austin online while expanding its production facility in Shanghai to produce the Model Y. That’s a lot for any company to manage. It says both Germany and Austin will begin producing automobiles this year before transitioning to full production early next year. Investors will be anxiously awaiting updates on both new factories during the Q2 earnings call.
The Cybertruck
In March, Elon tweeted that there would likely be an update about the Cybertruck during the Q2 earnings call, so we will be paying close attention to any news on that front. Last week we reported that Musk is unconcerned about whether his unconventional electric pickup truck will be a sales hit, saying he likes it even if no one else does. (You either love it or hate it.)
Update probably in Q2. Cybertruck will be built at Giga Texas, so focus right now is on getting that beast built.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 6, 2021
With GM, Ford, and now Dodge saying they will have electric pickup trucks of their own soon, and the Rivian R1T set to debut in a few months, it will be interesting to see whether Americans will be able to tear themselves away from the traditional looking trucks they love or whether Tesla will trim its sails to make the Cybertruck more appealing to mainstream truck buyers.
The Supercharger Network
Last week, Musk tweeted, “We’re making our Supercharger network open to other EVs later this year.” Investors will be expecting to learn more about that announcement. Morgan Stanley auto analyst Adam Jonas wrote in a research note afterward, “By 2030, we conservatively estimate Tesla supercharging revenue of $2.9 billion, a figure which does not include any revenue from non-Tesla vehicles.” How much revenue could Tesla get from drivers of non-Tesla electric cars? That’s a question that is sure to be raised.
FSD
Another recent development is an announcement from Tesla that it will soon offer its “Full Self Driving” package on a subscription basis. This could be the biggest marketing bonanza since Coca-Cola decided to sell its elixir in bottles. Decades ago, the auto industry found out that leasing could unlock a torrent of new sales. Perhaps subscription services will have a similar impact on revenue. Lots of people might subscribe to a FSD package who would otherwise balk at spending $10,000 for it up front. People will want to hear more about this.
There will also likely be requests for more info on when the FSD V9 Beta will roll out to all Americans who paid for FSD. The last we heard, the answer was ~2 weeks — but that’s been the answer for ~7 months (if not more).
Tesla Semi
With everything else going on at Tesla, it’s easy to overlook the Tesla Semi that has been gestating for a few years now. Production should be beginning soon and investors will be hungry for details.
Energy Storage
The jury is still out on whether Tesla’s acquisition of SolarCity was a brilliant marketing move that fit perfectly with Tesla’s mission or naked nepotism designed to bail out two of Elon’s cousins (as some people suing Mr. Musk argue), but there is no question Tesla is one of the global leaders in grid-scale energy storage. Elon himself has said he expects energy storage will create as much revenue as Tesla’s car business. This whole topic is usually found somewhere toward the end of the official earnings report, but it is really the key to whether Tesla shares will become more attractive to investors in the short and medium term.
Check back later to see how many topics we guessed right about and which ones came up that we didn’t anticipate. We’re not perfect, but we’re usually pretty darn close about these things.
The Honda Prologue continues to surprise, ranking among the top ten most leased vehicles (gas-powered or EV) in the US in the first quarter. It was the only EV, outside of Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, that made the list.
Honda Prologue EV is one of the most leased vehicles
After launching the Prologue in the US last March, Honda’s electric SUV took off. In the second half of the year, it was the second-best-selling electric SUV, trailing only the Tesla Model Y.
The Prologue remains a top-selling EV in the US this year, with over 13,500 units sold through May. That’s not too bad, considering it only sold 705 through May of last year.
According to a new Experian report (via Automotive News), Honda’s success is being driven by ultra-affordable lease rates. In the first quarter, nearly 60% of new EV buyers in the US chose to lease, up from just 36% a year ago.
Three EVs ranked in the top ten most leased vehicles in Q1, including the Tesla Model Y, Model 3, and Honda Prologue.
Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 took the top two spots, while the Honda Prologue ranked number seven. Those who leased Tesla’s Model 3 paid $402 per month, Honda Prologue lessees paid $486 a month.
Given the average loan rate was $708 a month for those who bought it, it’s no wonder nearly 90% chose to lease. Under 9% chose to buy, while less than 2% paid cash.
The discounts are piling up, but for how long?
To give you a better idea, the average monthly payment for a new vehicle lease in the US in the first quarter was $595.
With over $20,000 in discounts, Honda’s luxury Acura brand is selling a surprising number of EVs in the US. The nearly $65,000 Acura ZDX is sold for under $40,000 on average in May, according to Cox Automotive’s EV Market Monitor report for May.
The trend is primarily thanks to the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which is being passed on to customers through leasing.
With the Trump administration and Senate Republicans aiming to kill off federal subsidies, the savings could soon disappear. If the Senate’s recently proposed bill is passed, the $7,500 credit would expire within 180 days. It would not only make electric vehicles more expensive, but it would also put the US further behind China and others leading the shift to electrification.
Some automakers, including GM, are expected to continue offering the incentives. “GM has been very competitive on the incentives on their end, and that is not scheduled to end.”
After outselling Ford, GM’s Chevy is now the fastest-growing EV brand in the US through May. Chevy is starting to chip away at Tesla’s lead, largely thanks to the new Equinox EV, or “America’s most affordable +315 range EV,” as GM calls it.
According to Xperian, those who leased a new Chevy Equinox EV in Q1 paid $243 less than those who financed it. The electric Equinox stood out in Cox Automotive’s EV Market Monitor report with an average selling price under $40,000, even without incentives.
The Chevy Equinox EV remains one of the most affordable EVs on the market. Starting at just $34,995, the base LT FWD model offers an EPA-estimated range of 319 miles.
After Hyundai cut lease prices earlier this month, the 2025 IONIQ 5 might just take the cake. You can now lease the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (now with a built-in NACS port) for as low as $179 per month.
Looking to test out some of the most popular EVs for yourself? With Honda Prologue leases as low as $259 per month and Chevy Equinox EV leases starting at just $289 per month, the deals are hard to pass up right now while the incentives are still here. You can use our links below to find models in your area.
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The US energy storage market just posted its strongest Q1 ever, adding more than 2 gigawatts (GW) of capacity across all segments, according to the latest US Energy Storage Monitor from Wood Mackenzie and the American Clean Power Association (ACP).
That makes Q1 2025 the biggest first quarter for energy storage in US history.
The surge was led by utility-scale projects, which accounted for over 1.5 GW of the new capacity, a 57% jump compared to Q1 2024.
Surging energy demand is putting the electric grid under strain,” said John Hensley, SVP of markets and policy analysis at ACP. “The energy storage market is responding to help keep the lights on and support this unprecedented growth in an affordable and reliable way.”
But that momentum is now bumping up against policy uncertainty that could derail growth in the near future.
Indiana shows what’s possible
Energy storage is no longer limited to early-adopter states like California and Texas. In Q1, Indiana added 256 megawatts (MW) of new energy storage, quadrupling its total installed capacity. It now has more than 10 GW of new storage in its interconnection queue, the fifth-largest in the country.
Indiana’s growth is being driven by available land and clear permitting processes, two major barriers in other states.
“We’re now seeing significant deployment in emerging markets like Indiana, while states across the Southwest like Nevada and Arizona continue to expand their energy storage portfolio,” said Noah Roberts, VP of Energy Storage at ACP.
Home battery boom
Residential storage also set a new record, with 458 MW installed in Q1, the most ever in a single quarter. California and Puerto Rico led the way, accounting for 74% of that growth, while Illinois and other emerging markets began to pick up pace.
Trouble on the horizon
Despite a strong near-term outlook, the long-term picture is cloudier. The five-year forecast for utility-scale storage remains solid, but looming changes to federal policy could slash future growth.
If proposed changes to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) in the House’s reconciliation bill become law, the total storage buildout over five years could fall 27% below the current base case.
- Distributed storage would take the biggest hit, with a projected 46% drop.
- Utility-scale storage could shrink by 16 GW.
The CCI (community, commercial, and industrial) segment has already seen a 42% cut in its five-year outlook, weighed down by tariff risks and slow adoption of California’s NEM 3.0 rules.
The Q1 2025 results demonstrate the demand for energy storage in the US to serve a grid with both growing renewables and growing load,” said Allison Weis, global head of energy storage at Wood Mackenzie. “However, the industry stands at a crossroads, with potential policy changes threatening to disrupt this momentum.”
In the near term, the report expects 15 GW/49 GWh of new storage capacity to be installed across all segments in 2025, with utility-scale installations projected to grow 22% year-over-year. However, the utility-scale segment is at risk for a potential 29% contraction in 2026 due to policy uncertainty.
Bottom line: the energy storage boom isn’t slowing down – yet. But all eyes are on Congress.
Read more: This new San Diego battery can power 200,000 homes during peak hours
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Environment
Cadillac just delivered the first Celestiq, a hand-built ultra-luxury EV that costs $350,000
The Celestiq is more than an ultra-luxury electric sedan. Cadillac is saying it “marks a new milestone in American luxury and innovation.” The ultra-luxury EV is hand-built at Cadillac House at Vanderbilt, but it’s not cheap. Cadillac’s flagship electric sedan starts at around $350,000.
Cadillac delivers the first ultra-luxury Celestiq EV models
Cadillac is back and better than ever. After delivering the first Celestiq models to customers on Tuesday, Cadillac said it’s out to re-establish the brand as the “Standard of the World.”
The ultra-luxury electric sedan was delivered during a private event at GM’s Global Tech Center in Warren, Michigan.
Each Celestiq model is hand-built at Cadillac House at Vanderbilt, where you can customize the vehicle through a “highly personalized experience.” Cadillac designers and engineers wanted to create the most technologically advanced vehicle possible.
Although the Celestiq was first unveiled in 2022 and was expected to go into production in 2023, the ultra-luxury EV arrives with a slight increase in power.
The electric sedan features a dual-motor AWD powertrain, packing 655 horsepower and 646 lb-ft of torque (with Velocity Max), good for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in 3.7 seconds. Powered by a massive 111 kWh battery, Cadillac says its flagship EV has a range of 303 miles.
Inside, you’ll find ample screen space with a 55″ advanced interactive display that spans the entire dashboard. It’s Cadillac’s first vehicle to feature five standard HD interactive displays, including two 12.6″ entertainment screens for rear passengers.
Other interior features include a panoramic Smart Glass Roof with four independently controlled sections, a 38-speaker AKG audio system, and Climatesense, a “world first” four-zone microclimate system.
Each Celestiq is built to order and assembled at GM’s new Artisan Center on its campus in Warren, Michigan. Prices start in the “mid-$300,000 range.” You can inquire for more information on Cadillac’s website.
Electrek’s Take
Cadillac is coming off one of its best sales quarters since 2008. With a full lineup of electric SUVs, Cadillac is aiming to be the bestselling luxury EV brand in the US this year.
With the entry-level Optiq, midsize Lyriq, three-row Vistiq, and massive Escalade IQ, Cadillac offers an EV in nearly every segment.
Earlier this week, GM announced that the 2026 Cadillac Optiq will be its first vehicle to launch with a built-in NACS port, allowing it to access Tesla’s Supercharger network.
Although Cadillac said the Celestiq would help re-establish the brand as the “Standard of the World,” it will likely play only a minor role. The Optiq, Lyriq, Vistiq, and Escalade IQ will be the growth drivers over the next few years in a competitive luxury EV market.
GM said over 75% of Optiq buyers were new to Cadillac last month. After delivering the first models in late 2024, Cadillac sold over 1,700 Optiqs in the first quarter, outpacing Mercedes-Benz, Genesis, and other luxury rivals in the US.
Looking to test out Cadillac’s new electric SUVs for yourself? We can help you get started. Check out our links below to find Cadillac Optiq, Lyriq, Vistiq, and Escalade IQ models available in your area.
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