Tesla CEO Elon Musk is the master of buzz. Aly Song/Reuters As the electric-vehicle opportunity has evolved for startups and established automakers, it's become clear that an overall strategy is as important — if not more so — than getting cars to market. Tesla, GM, and Ford have each made moves recently that showcase their distinctive EV strategies. In a nutshell: GM is developing an operating system for EVs, Ford is leveraging its icons, and Tesla continues to turn buzz into billions. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The biggest mistake that auto-industry analysts and observers have made in the relatively short history of the modern electric car is to assume the consumer is all that matters.