Elon Musk: The Rise of Electric Cars is Unstoppable, Despite Trump

[Social Media]

 

Elon Musk has dismissed the notion that Donald Trump could halt the growth of electric vehicles, asserting that their success is "inevitable." The billionaire entrepreneur likened the decline of traditional internal combustion engines to the historical transition from horse-drawn transport to automobiles.

 

Musk, the CEO of Tesla, stated that the primary challenge once holding back electric vehicles—their range—has now been resolved. Addressing investor concerns over Trump’s intent to reverse Joe Biden’s electric vehicle policies, Musk remained firm in his confidence. “At this point, I think that sustainable transport is inevitable,” he said.

 

“I’m highly confident that all transport will be autonomous electric, including aircraft, and that it’s simply – it can’t be stopped any more than one could have stopped the advent of the external combustion engine, steam engine, or one could have stopped the advent of the internal combustion engine.”

 

Drawing a parallel to the past, he added: “Like even if you’ve been the biggest horse advocate on Earth, like ‘horses are the way, not these newfangled car automobiles,’ you can’t stop the advent of the automobile. It’s going to happen. And you can’t stop the advent of electric cars. It’s going to happen. The only thing holding back electric cars was range, and that is a solved problem.”

 

 

Musk’s stance has raised questions about his support for Trump, given concerns that the former president’s opposition to electric vehicle mandates and subsidies could negatively impact Tesla’s sales. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order revoking Biden’s plan for 50% of all car sales to be electric by 2030. He also called for the elimination of tax credits that effectively provided a $7,500 (£6,000) subsidy on new electric cars, though doing so may require legislative approval from Congress.

 

Despite this, Musk has publicly opposed such subsidies, arguing that removing them would primarily benefit Tesla. The company is widely considered to be in a stronger position than many of its competitors, which have made slower progress in the electric vehicle sector.

 

Tesla’s long-term advantage, according to Musk, lies not just in its electric vehicle technology but in its advancements in self-driving capabilities. “There is a path where Tesla is worth more than the next top five companies combined ... and that is overwhelmingly due to autonomous vehicles and autonomous humanoid robots,” he told investors.

 

However, Tesla faced a slight decline in sales in 2024 as the electric vehicle boom showed signs of slowing. In the U.S., electric vehicle sales increased by just 7.3% last year to 1.3 million, accounting for 8.1% of total car sales—only a marginal increase from 7.8% in 2023.

 

Tesla’s chief financial officer, Vaibhav Taneja, acknowledged that tariffs could impact the company’s profitability. Nevertheless, he pointed out that Tesla has made strides in improving manufacturing efficiency, which has helped lower production costs and keep the company in a strong competitive position.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2025-02-01

 

 

[Lacessit]

Musk skates over the problem of availability.

 

There is simply not enough lithium, copper and other elements to completely replace ICE vehicles, at least short term, until new mines are developed. At best, 30% of ICE vehicles can be replaced by EV's.

 

IMO the ICE car will be around for at least another 30 years.

[KhunLA]

4 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Musk skates over the problem of availability.

 

There is simply not enough lithium, copper and other elements to completely replace ICE vehicles, at least short term, until new mines are developed. At best, 30% of ICE vehicles can be replaced by EV's.

 

IMO the ICE car will be around for at least another 30 years.

Plenty of lithium, and yes, the ICEV will be around for a long time, in backward countries like the USA, that allow big oil to control the auto industry & grid.

[Lacessit]

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

Plenty of lithium, and yes, the ICEV will be around for a long time, in backward countries like the USA 

There is plenty of lithium in the ground.

 

It takes on average 7 years to develop most mining projects.

[KhunLA]

5 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

There is plenty of lithium in the ground.

 

It takes on average 7 years to develop most mining projects.

Not a problem, especially in my lifetime, or the life span of our BEV.  Won't be needing a new car in mine or the wife's lifetime.

 

Since CN's major players can't even keep up with the demand of BEV, don't think there is anything to worry about.  In 7 or 10 years, they'll probably have new battery tech with different chemistry anyway.

 

If they keep on using lithium, I guess they still have plenty of time to find and process it.  Not even needed now.

 

Just another 'what if' silly scenario by the haters.   Feel free to keep driving those overpriced, underperforming ICEV.  

 

I prefer to move forward, while saving a lot of money 😎

Don't need the grid, or that stinkin' petrol 

 

[Lacessit]

2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Not a problem, especially in my lifetime, or the life span of our BEV.  Won't be needing a new car in mine or the wife's lifetime.

 

Since CN's major players can't even keep up with the demand of BEV, don't think there is anything to worry about.  In 7 or 10 years, they'll probably have new battery tech with different chemistry anyway.

 

If they keep on using lithium, I guess they still have plenty of time to find and process it.  Not even needed now.

 

Just another 'what if' silly scenario by the haters.   Feel free to keep driving those overpriced, underperforming ICEV.  

 

I prefer to move forward, while saving a lot of money 😎

Don't need the grid, or that stinkin' petrol 

 

I don't need to move forward, my two ICE's will more than see me out.

 

As far as performance goes, I don't need to drive at more than 100 km/hr, or overtake like a scalded cat.

 

You keep calling me a hater, I am not. I just view both EV's and ICE's through a pragmatic lens.

 

If I was ten years younger, I would probably be buying an EV.

 

OTOH, I have always been comfortable buying secondhand ICE's. I would have to buy an EV new.

[LennyW]

Tesla not doing too well last year according to many reports.... Tesla lost $15 billion in brand value in 2024, Brand Finance found

 

[KhunLA]

11 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I don't need to move forward, my two ICE's will more than see me out.

 

As far as performance goes, I don't need to drive at more than 100 km/hr, or overtake like a scalded cat.

 

You keep calling me a hater, I am not. I just view both EV's and ICE's through a pragmatic lens.

 

If I was ten years younger, I would probably be buying an EV.

 

OTOH, I have always been comfortable buying secondhand ICE's. I would have to buy an EV new.

You have no interest in BEV, but continue to post nothing but negativity.  Not feelin' the LOVE.

 

Me, yep, I hate ICEV, every time I have to inhale their disgusting exhaust, every day.

 

But I do get to chuckle at the hypocrites that cry about pollution and MMGW, still using the dino fuel & grid 

[BritManToo]

13 minutes ago, LennyW said:

Tesla not doing too well last year according to many reports.... Tesla lost $15 billion in brand value in 2024, Brand Finance found

 

Don't think anyone in the motor industry is doing that well since the COVID restrictions destroyed the world economy.

[Lacessit]

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

You have no interest in BEV, but continue to post nothing but negativity.  Not feelin' the LOVE.

 

Me, yep, I hate ICEV, every time I have to inhale their disgusting exhaust, every day.

 

But I do get to chuckle at the hypocrites that cry about pollution and MMGW, still using the dino fuel & grid 

I guess I am no more prepared to embrace an EV religion than any other.

 

When you are O&A, and not recharging your EV from home solar, you are most probably filling up with electrons from Mae Moh power station, one of the most polluting electricity producers on the planet.

 

You are kidding yourself if you think owning an EV is the solution to CO2 emissions. About 70% of electricity worldwide still comes from fossil fuels. Replace every ICE with EV's overnight, you will only reduce CO2 generation by 9%.

 

My apologies for interrupting the service.

[JonnyF]

The charge time is the problem. Even 15 minutes is too much for me. 

 

As more and more people buy them there will be queues at the stations as well.  With gas cars 3 of them in a queue is 5 minutes not 45. 

 

Plus they are soulless. Like driving a dodgem. An app that played v8 sounds through the speakers might help.

 

Not too keen on having such a fire risk in my garage either. Even my E mountain bike battery makes me nervous. 

 

Ok for local use but not for long trips. 

 

I'm happy for others to buy though. Should keep the price of fuel low. 

[impulse]

21 minutes ago, LennyW said:

Tesla not doing too well last year according to many reports.... Tesla lost $15 billion in brand value in 2024, Brand Finance found

 

 

According to the OP, it's worth about twice what it was a year ago.

 

 

Of course, they focus on the recent decrease...

[KhunLA]

19 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I guess I am no more prepared to embrace an EV religion than any other.

 

When you are O&A, and not recharging your EV from home solar, you are most probably filling up with electrons from Mae Moh power station, one of the most polluting electricity producers on the planet.

 

You are kidding yourself if you think owning an EV is the solution to CO2 emissions. About 70% of electricity worldwide still comes from fossil fuels. Replace every ICE with EV's overnight, you will only reduce CO2 generation by 9%.

 

My apologies for interrupting the service.

Nah, we usually head south, and natural gas from Myanmar is used mostly.  A lot of the electric in North comes from Laos.

 

Not that I care about CO2 at all, as quite the farce.  But a discussing for another thread. 

 

And it's not my fault the Thai govt is a bit behind, on their energy source, though it does seem to be a work in progress, with developing alternative.  At least they are trying, and no longer let big oil control them, like in the past.

 

Solar & BEV being quite affordable here, vs a so called developed country like USA.

 

I'm not part of the hypocrite crowd that cry about CO2 & MMGW, but do nothing to help.   I think the planet's health is fine, and will simply absorb humans as crap fertilizer, once we do ourselves in. 

 

Could do with a little less trash in the seas, at least while I'm still alive.  And that ground level air pollution from all the ICEV.  Those 2 are easily solvable.   If people actually cared as much as I do.

 

Saving money is my main motivation for BEV & Solar, but it's nice to know it does help a wee bit, relieving local pollution.  IF only more people cared 

[thaibeachlovers]

On 2/1/2025 at 9:02 AM, Social Media said:

Musk, the CEO of Tesla, stated that the primary challenge once holding back electric vehicles—their range—has now been resolved.

Nonsense. The main problem is that replacing the batteries is so expensive that second hand EVs are worth peanuts, if anyone is even willing to buy one.

Till it's simple to replace the batteries, expect that to be a major factor in deciding to buy one, especially in countries where most cars are bought second hand.

[Hellfire]

“The billionaire entrepreneur likened the decline of traditional internal combustion engines to the historical transition from horse-drawn transport to automobiles”.

 This is a blatant distortion of facts. Unlike the first automobiles that replaced horses, electric cars are merely another type of automobile, nothing more. Try to distinguish an electric car from any other in the traffic flow (without prior knowledge of the car’s make).

 

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

6 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Those 2 are easily solvable, if people actually cared as much as I do.

Sooooo, tell us how EVs are doing in Africa and non China Asian countries and the M E. Will all the Gazan's be buying an EV when the conflict is over? They have loads of sunshine there ( in the summer at least ).

[thaibeachlovers]

Sooooo, tell us how it is that despite EV makers not being required to build a car with 4 wheels on the corners, a large bit on the front, and another large bit on the back, they still make them look identical to an ICE car? Could it be, shock horror, that people think they'll be mocked if it's obvious that they are driving a lemon?

[thaibeachlovers]

7 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

“The billionaire entrepreneur likened the decline of traditional internal combustion engines to the historical transition from horse-drawn transport to automobiles”.

 

 

 

 

 This is a blatant distortion of facts. Unlike a horse, an electric car is merely a type of automobile, nothing more.

IMO just a matter of time before the motivating power comes from hydrogen, and not a coal burning power station.

[KhunLA]

2 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Sooooo, tell us how EVs are doing in Africa and non China Asian countries and the M E. Will all the Gazan's be buying an EV when the conflict is over? They have loads of sunshine there ( in the summer at least ).

Don't live or visit in those places.  Their problems are all theirs to deal with.  

 

Some countries, even oil rich countries are waking up ... it's a work in progress, as affordable, dependable, mass produced BEV, have really just hit the market.  Why I waited till 2022, to buy in.

 

Next 5 years will be very eye opening to the haters 

 

[spidermike007]

If you're going to go for an EV just say no to Tesla, and deny Musk that little bit of profit, which is turning him into one of the most obnoxious humans on the planet, and in addition to that I think he's a potentially dangerous man.

 

So buy an EV from somebody else, or stick with a more sensible choice of a hybrid. 

[thaibeachlovers]

30 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Plus they are soulless. Like driving a dodgem.

Nailed it. Generations of boys dreamed about cars and spent their weekends tinkering with one.

The EVs are not able to be fixed by Joe Average and create as much interest outside the luvvies lairs as dog poo. Just another disposable appliance.

[thaibeachlovers]

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Don't live or visit in those places.  Their problems are all theirs to deal with.  

 

Some countries, even oil rich countries are waking up ... it's a work in progress, as affordable, dependable, mass produced BEV, have really just hit the market.  Why I waited till 2022, to buy in.

 

Next 5 years will be very eye opening to the haters 

 

Saudi was researching solar power in the 90s, when I visited the research facility, but strangely they didn't think an EV was worth building.

[thaibeachlovers]

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Don't live or visit in those places.  Their problems are all theirs to deal with.  

Unfortunately weather affects everyone on the planet, not just people in other places.

Their problems are going to be your problems too, if you live long enough. I'm hoping to have exited planet Earth before it all turns to poo.

[thaibeachlovers]

49 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Don't think anyone in the motor industry is doing that well since the COVID restrictions destroyed the world economy.

since governments destroyed the world economy by letting covid melt their brains, and locking us all up so old people didn't die 6 months before their time.

 

Fixed it for you.

[hotsun]

If EVs were significantly cheaper that would be reason to buy one. If the demand caused the price for all cars to go lower then everyone should be happy about it

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Me, yep, I hate ICEV, every time I have to inhale their disgusting exhaust, every day.

The ICE saved us from being restricted to bicycle or horse travel ( and a bit of steam power ) and gave folk like myself real freedom to go almost anywhere I want to. Without ICE you wouldn't be spouting your ICE hatred, as you'd still be wherever you were born and international travel would be only for the rich. No internet for sure.

A spot of gratitude for ICE is in order.

 

Also, most people on the planet would starve to death if all ICE vehicles were banned tomorrow. That's not going to change for decades.

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Since CN's major players can't even keep up with the demand of BEV, don't think there is anything to worry about. 

China just builds more coal fired power stations. It's a tad harder in western countries. NZ doesn't have the spare electricity for a lot of them and there are hardly any on the roads.

[KhunLA]

13 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Unfortunately weather affects everyone on the planet, not just people in other places.

Their problems are going to be your problems too, if you live long enough. I'm hoping to have exited planet Earth before it all turns to poo.

It's the weather.  Humans haver very little, to no control at all ... IMHO

 

But I find that those that think we do, are a bit hypocritical in the life choices, and in their minds, should consider themselves part of the problem, not the part of the solution 😎

 

But feel it's their right, to tell us, we (BEV & Solar owners) are wrong, and part of the problem.  Go figure.

[KhunLA]

20 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Saudi was researching solar power in the 90s, when I visited the research facility, but strangely they didn't think an EV was worth building.

Certainly wouldn't help their bottom line, as they are one of the largest oil producers.

 

30 years later, with new tech, and they appear to be waking up, and not, like you, living in the past.

[billd766]

On 2/1/2025 at 3:02 AM, Social Media said:

 

Elon Musk has dismissed the notion that Donald Trump could halt the growth of electric vehicles, asserting that their success is "inevitable." The billionaire entrepreneur likened the decline of traditional internal combustion engines to the historical transition from horse-drawn transport to automobiles.

 

Musk, the CEO of Tesla, stated that the primary challenge once holding back electric vehicles—their range—has now been resolved. Addressing investor concerns over Trump’s intent to reverse Joe Biden’s electric vehicle policies, Musk remained firm in his confidence. “At this point, I think that sustainable transport is inevitable,” he said.

 

“I’m highly confident that all transport will be autonomous electric, including aircraft, and that it’s simply – it can’t be stopped any more than one could have stopped the advent of the external combustion engine, steam engine, or one could have stopped the advent of the internal combustion engine.”

 

Drawing a parallel to the past, he added: “Like even if you’ve been the biggest horse advocate on Earth, like ‘horses are the way, not these newfangled car automobiles,’ you can’t stop the advent of the automobile. It’s going to happen. And you can’t stop the advent of electric cars. It’s going to happen. The only thing holding back electric cars was range, and that is a solved problem.”

 

 

Musk’s stance has raised questions about his support for Trump, given concerns that the former president’s opposition to electric vehicle mandates and subsidies could negatively impact Tesla’s sales. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order revoking Biden’s plan for 50% of all car sales to be electric by 2030. He also called for the elimination of tax credits that effectively provided a $7,500 (£6,000) subsidy on new electric cars, though doing so may require legislative approval from Congress.

 

Despite this, Musk has publicly opposed such subsidies, arguing that removing them would primarily benefit Tesla. The company is widely considered to be in a stronger position than many of its competitors, which have made slower progress in the electric vehicle sector.

 

Tesla’s long-term advantage, according to Musk, lies not just in its electric vehicle technology but in its advancements in self-driving capabilities. “There is a path where Tesla is worth more than the next top five companies combined ... and that is overwhelmingly due to autonomous vehicles and autonomous humanoid robots,” he told investors.

 

However, Tesla faced a slight decline in sales in 2024 as the electric vehicle boom showed signs of slowing. In the U.S., electric vehicle sales increased by just 7.3% last year to 1.3 million, accounting for 8.1% of total car sales—only a marginal increase from 7.8% in 2023.

 

Tesla’s chief financial officer, Vaibhav Taneja, acknowledged that tariffs could impact the company’s profitability. Nevertheless, he pointed out that Tesla has made strides in improving manufacturing efficiency, which has helped lower production costs and keep the company in a strong competitive position.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2025-02-01

 

 

Well, he would say that, wouldn't he.