As Elon Musk has said many times, Tesla's mission is to accelerate the electrification of transport. The company wants everyone to drive an electric car, even if it isn't a Tesla. This is not just talk – in 2014, Tesla released its patents, making its patented technology available to anyone who wants to use it.

"Tesla Motors was created to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport," wrote Elon in a blog post announcing the move. "If we clear a path to the creation of compelling electric vehicles, but then lay intellectual property landmines behind us to inhibit others, we are acting in a manner contrary to that goal. Tesla will not initiate patent lawsuits against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use our technology."

Recently, with article after article after article underlining the seriousness of the climate change crisis, and the urgent need for action, Musk felt the need to remind everyone that these patents are available, and to reiterate his call for other automakers to get serious about going electric.