The article suggests the hype around Tesla is about the autonomous driving features; I'd argue that only a small part of the hype. The hype is around a company disrupting an antiquated industry that has big oil and lawmakers in their back pocket.
Electric cars are cleaner than oil-based only if you ignore the creation and disposal of the batteries... and the fact that battery technology still sucks. Oil is an incredibly compact form of energy, can be poured and easily transported without dissipation of energy. As much as I want to get away from oil, it's hard to beat.
The engine may be 90% efficient, but the charger is only 95% efficient, and the electric grid is only 90% efficient. And then the coal power plant that generates all that electricity is only 40% efficient.
All of a sudden, combustion engines are better in overall efficiency. Transporting liquid fuel and distributing it has major efficiency benefits.
