Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc., has expressed his belief that the future of transportation will be all-electric, with the exception of rockets. This prediction, shared on the platform X (formerly Twitter), stems from a video showcasing an electric boat.
Musk’s vision for an electric future is already being realized by Tesla, which exclusively produces electric cars. The company recently launched a battery electric shuttle train in Berlin to transport employees between the Erkner railway station and its European gigafactory. Despite this, Musk has acknowledged that electric trains, while a current option, may not be the defining mode of transportation for the future, suggesting alternatives like supersonic passenger jets, hyperloop, flying taxis, and self-driving cars.
Tesla’s dominance in the electric vehicle market is undeniable. In the most recent quarter, the company delivered a staggering 443,956 battery-electric vehicles, exceeding the sales of Chinese EV giant BYD Co Ltd., backed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, which sold 426,039 vehicles in the same period.
However, Musk recently expressed a nuanced perspective on the transition to a sustainable energy future. During an interview with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, he cautioned against demonizing the oil and gas industry, emphasizing the significant role it has played in supporting the global economy. He suggested a co-existence of new-energy ventures and traditional energy sources, emphasizing a gradual shift towards sustainability rather than an abrupt transition.
While acknowledging the urgency of addressing climate change, Musk advocated for a measured approach, stating that the situation is not an immediate crisis. He believes a faster transition is desirable, but it should be implemented without unfairly burdening the oil and gas industry or causing short-term hardship.
