The mastermind behind electric vehicle and energy storage OEM Tesla’s battery technology, Jeffrey Straubel, has quit as the US company’s chief technology officer as of 24 July.
The announcement was made during a conference call with analysts that Straubel (pictured) would step down from his executive role after 16 years.
While at the firm, Straubel led the company’s battery technology direction. He holds more than 30 patents covering most areas of Tesla’s core battery, motor and controls systems.
He also helped launch the Tesla Energy business, the initiative that delivers grid and residential energy storage systems, notably the Powerwall and the record-breaking 100MW Hornsdale system in Australia.
His replacement is reported to be Drew Baglino, the vice-president of technology at Tesla.
The Stanford alumna’s passion for EVs began when he rebuilt a electric golf cart at 14 years old, and his electric Porsche 944 held a world EV racing record.
