Tesla Model 3 news, release date & update: Incorporating special glass technology could affect production capacity

Recently, Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that the Model 3 electric car will use the same glass technology as its solar roof. Musk revealed this during a conference call on the financial details of a SolarCity merger. Shareholders will cast their votes on Nov. 17.

On Friday, Tesla unveiled the solar roof with SolarCity. Tesla now has a special glass technology group and this new unit will also focus on the glass technology for the solar roofs. As per Business Insider, the new glass can generate energy to clear snow due to the presence of heating elements. Model 3 will incorporate this technology.

The glass is reportedly strongly net positive and does not waste energy even when the heating elements are operational. However, some tech experts are of the opinion that Tesla could be making a mistake as it did with the Model X.

When the Model X SUV was launched in October 2015 after three years of delay, Musk admitted that the design was far too complex. The Model X ran into production problems and the first of 2016 turned out to be hell for Tesla.

The Tesla Model 3 is expected to carry a price tag of US$35,000 (AU$46,000) and arrive late 2017, writes Inverse. Tesla currently needs scale as it had faltered to meet the demand for a number of its vehicles due to shortage in supply.

Hence, the Tesla Model 3 will be using the same basic materials as everyone else, especially steel in place of aluminium. However, the concept of a solar roof on a mass market sedan has not gone down well with many tech and auto enthusiasts. Many believe it is pointless as Tesla may face difficulties in building the car effectively.

That is the last thing Tesla wants as it has to pace up production if it is looking to fulfilling 375,000 pre-orders for the Model 3 in 2018. As per the critics, it does not really matter if the Tesla Model 3 has a flux capacitor or a solar roof or a Tesla Glass windshield.