• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechElon Musk

Elon Musk Is On Track to Collect $1.6 Billion From Tesla

Robert Hackett
By
Robert Hackett
Robert Hackett
Down Arrow Button Icon
Robert Hackett
By
Robert Hackett
Robert Hackett
Down Arrow Button Icon
April 19, 2016, 9:37 AM ET
Germany's Economy And Energy Minister Sigmar Gabriel Meets Tesla Motors Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk
Elon Musk, billionaire and chief executive officer of Tesla Motors Inc., arrives for a news conference in Berlin, Germany, on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. Tesla Motors Inc. chief executive officer Elon Musk said revelations that Volkswagen AG cheated on diesel emission tests is "obviously bad," but that the issue the world should really be concerned about is carbon dioxide emissions. Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPhotograph by Krisztian Bocsi — Bloomberg via Getty Images

Elon Musk has made good on about half of his 2022 goals as CEO of Tesla Motors (TSLA)—and in short order.

In just five years, Musk has achieved 12 of his 20 combined milestones laid out in a 2012 stock plan. The accomplishments entitle the chief executive to $1.6 billion worth of stock options, well beyond the $40,000 annual salary that he makes yet has never accepted.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

Musk’s executive pay scheme pairs operational goals, such as completing certain car prototypes, or producing some multiple of hundreds of thousands of vehicles, with market cap goals—continuously adding $4 billion to the company’s stock market value. Whenever Musk achieves one of each type of milestone, then a tenth of the total 5.27 million stock reserved for him at a price of $31.17 per share vests.

As a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission lays out, Musk has made quick progress. The PayPal (PYPL) and SpaceX founder has realized seven of Tesla’s market cap goals as the company’s stock market value has ballooned to $34 billion from $4 billion when the goals were set. (He has three market cap goals left, extending to $43.2 billion.) Musk has also landed five of the 10 operational goals.

Per the SEC filing (bold indicates completed):

• Successful completion of the Model X Alpha Prototype;
• Successful completion of the Model X Beta Prototype;
• Completion of the first Model X Production Vehicle;
• Successful completion of the Model 3 Alpha Prototype;
• Successful completion of the Model 3 Beta Prototype;
• Completion of the first Model 3 Production Vehicle;
• Gross margin of 30% or more for four consecutive quarters;
• Aggregate vehicle production of 100,000 vehicles;
• Aggregate vehicle production of 200,000 vehicles; and
• Aggregate vehicle production of 300,000 vehicles.

“Many of the requisite milestones were viewed as very difficult to achieve when the 2012 CEO Grant was made,” the company wrote in its April 15 filing.

For more on Tesla stock, watch:

Although Tesla did not immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment, spokesperson Khobi Brooklyn told Bloomberg that Tesla considers the filing to be its official comment.

About the Author
Robert Hackett
By Robert Hackett
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

kande
C-SuiteConsulting
PwC’s global chairman says most leaders have forgotten ‘the basics’ as 56% are still getting ‘nothing’ out of AI adoption
By Diane Brady and Nick LichtenbergJanuary 19, 2026
1 day ago
Elon Musk, wearing a suit, looks to the side and frowns.
AIElon Musk
Elon Musk says that in 10 to 20 years, work will be optional and money will be irrelevant thanks to AI and robotics
By Sasha RogelbergJanuary 19, 2026
1 day ago
Woman packing her stuff as an AI worker types on a computer
SuccessCareers
Microsoft researchers have revealed the 40 jobs most exposed to AI—and even teachers make the list
By Preston ForeJanuary 19, 2026
1 day ago
ready
CommentaryPinterest
Pinterest CEO: the Napster phase of AI needs to end
By Bill ReadyJanuary 19, 2026
1 day ago
mohamad ali
CommentaryConsulting
I lead IBM Consulting, here’s how AI-first companies must redesign work for growth
By Mohamad AliJanuary 19, 2026
1 day ago
ravi
Commentaryinformation technology
Learning and work are converging in an integrated new life template for the AI era 
By Ravi Kumar SJanuary 19, 2026
1 day ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
AI
Elon Musk says that in 10 to 20 years, work will be optional and money will be irrelevant thanks to AI and robotics
By Sasha RogelbergJanuary 19, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Despite his $2.6 billion net worth, MrBeast says he’s having to borrow cash and doesn’t even have enough money in his bank account to buy McDonald’s
By Emma BurleighJanuary 13, 2026
7 days ago
placeholder alt text
Politics
The U.S. Supreme Court could throw a wrench into Trump’s plan to take Greenland as soon as Tuesday
By Jim EdwardsJanuary 19, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Commentary
I oversee a lab where engineers try to destroy my life’s work. It's the only way to prepare for quantum threats
By Bernard VianJanuary 18, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Politics
Army readies 1,500 paratroopers specializing in arctic operations for possible deployment to Minnesota if Trump invokes Insurrection Act
By Konstantin Toropin and The Associated PressJanuary 18, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Investing
Stocks sell off globally as traders digest Trump message saying he wants Greenland because ‘your Country decided not to give me the Nobel’ 
By Jim EdwardsJanuary 19, 2026
1 day ago

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.