Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Inc, has once again criticized Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates over their differing opinions on the feasibility of using electricity to power heavier vehicles. Musk took to X, formerly Twitter, to express his disbelief in Gates’ understanding of the subject, stating that Gates must have lost touch with reality. This dispute stems from Gates’ previous comments suggesting that electric propulsion is not suitable for large trucks, cargo ships, and passenger jets. He argued that while electricity may work for short distances, alternative solutions are needed for heavy, long-haul vehicles.
Musk, on the other hand, countered Gates’ argument by highlighting the progress made in battery technology and pointing out that his company had already unveiled a fully electric semi truck, the Tesla Semi, in 2017. Musk dismissed Gates’ opinion as lacking a solid foundation, claiming that Gates did not consider important factors such as battery energy density and energy consumption per mile.
The viability of electric vehicles for heavy transportation is an important issue in the future of mobility. The Tesla Semi, initially expected to be in production by 2019, made its first deliveries to PepsiCo in December 2020. This highlights Tesla’s commitment to advancing electric transportation and challenges the notion that electric vehicles are not practical for large-scale logistics.
It is worth noting that Bill Gates has maintained a short position on Tesla, indicating his skepticism towards the company’s success. In addition, Musk declined philanthropic proposals from Gates in 2022, possibly due to their conflicting views on electric vehicles.
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