Washington, DC – Elon Musk’s relationship with President Biden soured after feeling snubbed by the administration, as reported by sources. This rift stems from Biden’s praise of General Motors CEO Mary Barra for her role in advancing electric vehicle (EV) innovation, despite Tesla dominating the EV market with around two-thirds of EVs on the roads.
The tension escalated when Biden commended Barra, declaring Detroit as the forefront of electric vehicles. This move angered Tesla officials, particularly Musk, as they felt their contributions were overlooked. Despite Tesla delivering over 115,000 EVs in the US compared to General Motors’ 26 at the time, they were not recognized as leaders in the industry.
The discord intensified as the administration unveiled plans to bolster electric vehicle initiatives nationwide. Tesla’s attempts to engage with the White House regarding the future of EVs in America post-Biden’s election were met with indifference, despite their significant market share.
Furthermore, Biden’s promotion of an infrastructure bill aiming for half of new cars and trucks sold in the US to be electric or zero-emission by 2030 further heightened tensions. Musk perceived a lack of inclusion when prominent car companies were invited to events, excluding Tesla, a move that further alienated the company from discussions on boosting EVs in the country.
The exclusion of Tesla and Musk from these events was attributed to their non-unionized workforce, setting them apart from other major US car manufacturers. Allegedly, White House officials wanted to maintain a positive relationship with the United Auto Workers union, leading to the deliberate exclusion of Tesla due to its lack of unionized factory workers.
Despite requests for comment, neither Musk nor his representatives responded to the matter. The ongoing rift between Musk and the administration signifies the challenges and complexities inherent in navigating the landscape of electric vehicle innovation in the US.