Bernard Tse: The Tesla Veteran Who Founded Lucid Motors

Bernard Tse is the co-founder of Atieva, the company that evolved into Lucid Motors. A former Tesla board member and VP who led the Roadster's battery engineering, he left to start his own venture in 2007. His vision laid the technical foundation for what would eventually become the Lucid Air.

The Battery Architect

Before Lucid Motors challenged Tesla, its founder was helping build Tesla. Bernard Tse was one of the key figures in the early days of Tesla Motors. Serving as the Vice President of Energy Storage and a member of the board, he was responsible for one of the most critical components of the original Tesla Roadster: the battery pack. His work proved that lithium-ion cells could be safely used in vehicles.

Founding Atieva

In 2007, Tse left Tesla to pursue his own path. Along with fellow engineer Sam Weng, he founded Atieva in Menlo Park, California. Originally, the company focused on developing battery technology and electric powertrains to supply other automakers, rather than building its own cars. This business model attracted major investors from China and Silicon Valley.

The Evolution into Lucid

Under Tse's leadership, Atieva built a reputation for high-performance battery systems. The company famously created "Edna," a Mercedes van modified with Atieva's powertrain that could outrun a Ferrari. This demonstration proved the technology was ready for a luxury sedan. However, as the ambition grew to build a complete vehicle (Project Cosmos), tensions arose in the boardroom.

Departure and Legacy

By 2015, strategic disagreements with major shareholders—specifically regarding the company's direction and ownership structure—led to Tse's ousting from the CEO role. He was succeeded by Peter Rawlinson, who rebranded the company as Lucid Motors in 2016. Although he is no longer at the helm, Bernard Tse's initial vision and engineering groundwork were the seeds from which the Lucid Air grew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Bernard Tse and what is his legacy at Tesla and Lucid Motors?

<p><strong>Bernard Tse</strong> is a pioneering entrepreneur and engineer who served as a Vice President and board member at <strong>Tesla Motors</strong> (2003–2007) before founding <strong>Atieva</strong>, the company that evolved into <strong>Lucid Motors</strong>. Often recognized as the "founding father" of high-performance battery systems, Tse was the original architect of Tesla’s energy division. His legacy in 2026 is defined by his early bet on lithium-ion technology as the primary driver for both luxury passenger vehicles and global energy storage solutions.</p>

What was Bernard Tse’s role in the founding of Lucid Motors?

<p>In 2007, following his departure from Tesla, Bernard Tse co-founded <strong>Atieva</strong> with Sam Weng and Sheaupyng Lin. Initially, the company focused on building <strong>battery packs and powertrains</strong> for other manufacturers, including electric buses in China. This strategic focus on "cell-agnostic" battery software and hardware provided the foundational intellectual property that allowed the company to rebrand as <strong>Lucid Motors</strong> in 2016 and launch the record-breaking <strong>Lucid Air</strong> luxury sedan.</p>

Why did Bernard Tse leave Tesla in 2007?

<p>Bernard Tse resigned from the Tesla board in 2007 to head the newly formed "Tesla Energy Group." However, following the ousting of his longtime friend and co-founder <strong>Martin Eberhard</strong> by <strong>Elon Musk</strong>, Tse left the company shortly thereafter. At the time, Tesla was facing a severe cash crunch and pivoted away from energy storage to focus exclusively on the <strong>Roadster</strong>. Tse took his vision for a dedicated energy and powertrain company and founded Atieva to realize the potential he saw in universal battery systems.</p>

What was the "Edna" project led by Bernard Tse’s team?

<p>Under Tse’s leadership at Atieva, the engineering team developed a famous powertrain test mule nicknamed <strong>"Edna."</strong> Based on a <strong>Mercedes-Benz Metris</strong> van, Edna was a high-performance laboratory on wheels that featured two electric motors producing over <strong>900 horsepower</strong>. This prototype was used to refine the motor control logic and battery thermal management that would eventually allow the Lucid Air to achieve a 0-60 mph time of under 2.5 seconds, proving the technical viability of Atieva's powertrain long before a car was built.</p>

How did Bernard Tse secure early funding for Atieva (Lucid)?

<p>Tse’s reputation as a former Tesla VP allowed him to attract significant venture capital during the early days of the EV industry. He secured major investments from <strong>Venrock</strong>, Mitsui, and <strong>Tsing Capital</strong>. Perhaps most importantly, he facilitated a 25% stake acquisition by <strong>BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding)</strong>, which provided the capital necessary for Atieva to operate in "stealth mode" for nearly a decade while perfecting its battery management software and high-voltage architectures.</p>

What is Bernard Tse’s career status in 2026?

<p>In 2026, Bernard Tse is recognized as a retired titan of the <strong>Silicon Valley EV corridor</strong>. While he transitioned the leadership of Lucid Motors to <strong>Peter Rawlinson</strong> in 2019, his early patents in <strong>lithium-ion battery monitoring</strong> and pack cooling remain integral to the industry. He continues to serve as an advisor to several "Deep Tech" and climate-focused startups, advocating for the <strong>circular battery economy</strong> and the expansion of domestic battery manufacturing in the United States.</p>

What was Bernard Tse’s philosophy on "Cell-Agnostic" batteries?

<p>Tse was a vocal advocate for <strong>cell-agnostic battery design</strong>, meaning a battery pack should be able to utilize cells from different manufacturers (like Samsung, LG, or Panasonic) without redesigning the entire vehicle. This philosophy was built into the Atieva DNA, allowing for greater supply chain flexibility. In 2026, this approach has become a standard for major <abbr title="Original Equipment Manufacturers">OEMs</abbr> looking to mitigate the risks of global mineral shortages.</p>

Did Bernard Tse work on the Tesla Model S?

<p>While Bernard Tse left Tesla before the <strong>Model S</strong> entered production, his work as the Head of Energy Systems laid the groundwork for the car’s high-voltage electrical architecture. He was responsible for the early research into <strong>18650 cell</strong> packaging and thermal safety. Many of the engineers he hired and mentored at Tesla later formed the core engineering team that designed the Model S under the direction of <strong>JB Straubel</strong> and later Peter Rawlinson.</p>

How did Tse influence the 900-volt architecture used by Lucid?

<p>Although the 900-volt system was finalized under Peter Rawlinson, the <strong>high-voltage research</strong> began during Bernard Tse’s tenure at Atieva. Tse pushed for higher voltage levels to reduce heat and increase charging speeds—a radical concept in the early 2010s when most EVs used 400-volt systems. This foresight is why the <strong>2026 Lucid Air</strong> remains one of the fastest-charging vehicles in the US market, capable of adding 200 miles of range in just 12 minutes.</p>

Where is Bernard Tse’s impact most visible in the 2026 US market?

<p>Bernard Tse’s impact is most visible in the <strong>Newark, California</strong> headquarters of Lucid Motors and the <strong>AMP-1 factory</strong> in Casa Grande, Arizona. His ability to build a company that survived the "stealth phase" for nine years without a product is a legendary feat in the US automotive industry. Every <strong>Lucid Air</strong> and <strong>Lucid Gravity</strong> on American roads in 2026 carries the battery management legacy of the "Edna" project and Tse’s original vision for high-performance sustainable energy.</p>