

Lifestyle
After Tesla’s rise, the “Best Worst EV Denial” award in legacy auto goes to…
Tesla is a lot of things to a lot of people, but if you’ve found yourself in the “catch up” position that most legacy auto makers have these days in producing zero-emissions vehicles, the all-electric newcomer is a force that needs to be slowed down by something… Anything, really. What about a diesel revival? What about customer demand? What about a hydrogen revolution?
Well, what about them?
First things first, let’s recognize that unlike most of its petrol brethren, Porsche read the memo early about inevitable vehicle electrification (after a bit of push back, naturally), and its first major step was to dump diesel. CEO Oliver Blume summarized as much in a recent statement to CNN. “We as a sports car manufacturer…have come to the conclusion that we would like our future to be diesel-free,” he commented on the company’s announcement of the decision. The all-electric Taycan is set to be unveiled in September, and from what we’ve seen so far, it looks like it will be a power-packed beauty worthy of the Porsche name. Bravo!
What about diesel and demand?
Moving on, we all know Volkswagen’s original competitive strategy to sell “lower emissions” diesel vehicles was bunk, not to mention highly illegal and very expensive to make amends for, and most of us know they’ve since invested a lot of (forced) money into green energy projects to make up for it. (See: Dieselgate) Some of us may even think they’ve finally come around to agreeing with Elon Musk and company about the direction of the automotive industry with their upcoming Volkswagen ID. family of e-cars and other pretty words put out to that effect.
I have my doubts, but more on that in a bit.
One of the interesting perspectives on electric vehicles (EVs) I’ve read coming from a legacy auto executive was from Ralf Speth, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover. “According to industry forecasters, a global share of 20 percent to 30 percent for electrified vehicles is expected by 2025. When you turn this around, it means that 70 percent to 80 percent of all vehicles around the world will have conventional engines. Let me add that today’s diesels…are absolutely CO2-efficient and clean,” Speth told the publication Automobilwoche in a recent interview. I guess he’s not wrong on current stock, but having a lot of clearance items on a rack is only a selling point for so long. This is both “whataboutism” and a strange variation of the “cup is half full” metaphor. (The cup is 70-80% full of mixer when I ordered a shot? Sorry.)
Speth also claimed electric cars are still too expensive and have poor infrastructure to lure in many customers. It’s almost like he’s never heard of Tesla or his own company’s EV, the award-winning I-PACE. It’s almost like he forgot what his own company’s luxury vehicles cost at the baseline. (Hint: It’s more than $35k) There’s talk that Jaguar might go all-electric in the next 10 years, but walking is much more important than talking.
Speth isn’t alone in this sentiment, either. On one hand, BMW is ramping up its electro-mobility efforts by purchasing cobalt and lithium and preparing battery farms and systems for grid stabilization. On the other hand, the legacy auto maker only seems to be going through the motions because the European Union’s emissions regulations says they must. Imagine being told you have to take 20% less cheese on your pizza (which you love) and then singing the praises of tomato pies the next day. It’s a bit odd, I think.
Although the German auto maker is currently undergoing a changing of the guard in ousting CEO Harald Krüger due to poor performance in electrification efforts, a negative approach to EVs seems to be par for the course for the company’s leadership. Krüger may be leaving, but BMW AG board member and Head of Development Klaus Fröhlich is said to be one of two men in the running to take Krüger’s place. Even if he doesn’t get the top spot, he’s still part of the top leadership.
“I think the discussion about electro-mobility is a little bit irrational,” Fröhlich recently told Australian journalists at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. “The diesel development from BMW perspective is quite dramatic. We have, I think, more or less the best diesels. All tests show that we have the lowest emissions. We have a spiral in Europe where every politician sees only one solution – diesel bashing. From a CO2 and customer perspective, a modern diesel is a very good solution. Especially for heavy, high-performing cars,” he added. Here’s another recent gem from Fröhlich during a roundtable discussion:
“If we have a big offer, a big incentive, we could flood Europe and sell a million cars, but Europeans won’t buy these things. Customers in Europe do not buy EVs. We pressed these cars into the market, and they’re not wanted. We can deliver an electrified vehicle to each person, but they will not buy them.”
It appears both Fröhlich and Krüger have a case of “whataboutism” here in terms of diesel. You know who else has this same affliction? Volkswagen AG CEO Matthias Müller. While the auto giant is investing billions of dollars into electrified transport, Müller is still hoping for a ‘diesel renaissance’ of sorts for whatever reason. “Diesel will see a renaissance in the not-too-distant future because people who drove diesels will realize that it was a very comfortable drive concept. Once the knowledge that diesels are eco-friendly firms up in people’s minds, then for me there’s no reason not to buy one,” he told media groups in September.
Someone should tell him that internal combustion engines (ICE) are in the crosshairs of regulators next, with countries like Norway leading the way on ICE bans.
What about hydrogen?
Then, there’s the hydrogen hope. Elon Musk’s disdain for the inefficiencies of fuel cell vehicles is well known in the Tesla community and beyond, and it’s hard to disagree with his position unless you’re in the business to benefit from his mistakes. In contrast, one auto industry expert predicted that the market would see a shift to hydrogen in the next decade or so.
“The fuel cell is not ready to kick in yet. By 2030, we’ll see that coming, especially in passenger cars that run long distances, or trucks… Fuel cell is not out of reach,” argued Dr. Felix Gress, head of industry consultant firm Continental’s corporate communications and public affairs. “The battery technology, according to our estimations, has its limits,” he continued, adding that “it doesn’t generate enough range” for some people’s needs.
I’m not an expert in physics, merely a fan of the stuff that keeps me attached to the planet, but I have yet to see any layman’s argument in favor of fuel cells that’s more convincing than Musk’s (and others’) arguments against it. In the end, though, how can someone point to infrastructure issues with EVs as an argument for fuel cell cars while hydrogen networks are practically non-existent?
“The Monica” Award for EV Denialism
All of this “whataboutism” sounds like a matter of ego bruising to me. Tesla isn’t just ahead in the game when it comes to electric vehicles. The Elon Musk-led venture has become the main boss level at this point. With that in mind, competitors seem to be scrambling to find some sort of leverage to claim some sort of title for some sort of silly reason.
- Electric vehicle sales are ramping up everywhere they’re sold? What about these diesels we still have on the lot?
- Customers are buying more EVs as the battery tech gets better and the charging infrastructure gets larger? What about the infrastructure that’s still needed? What about the batteries that have yet to be made?
The current state of Tesla’s legacy auto competitors reminds me of an episode of the classic 90s sitcom Friends. One of the main characters, Monica, was a perfectionist who needed to be the best at everything, but she would give her friends these terrible and painful massages throughout the episode. After her boyfriend finally admitted the truth to her, he consoled her by saying if there was an award for the “best bad massages” she’d “get all the votes.”
They agreed the award would be called “The Monica.”

Do you think there are legacy auto makers in the running for “The Monica” of EV denialism? If so, which ones?
Lifestyle
Tesla Semi futuristic sci-fi acceleration sound will never get old
Videos that capture the Semi moving at speed are most notable due to their sheer cool factor.

The Tesla Semi is not yet in mass production, but the company has accumulated over 7.9 million miles across its test fleet. With Tesla using the Semi for its operations, it is no surprise that sightings of the Class 8 all-electric truck have been abounding.
These sightings from Tesla enthusiasts vary, but those that capture the the Class 8 all-electric truck moving at speed are most notable, possibly due to their sheer cool factor.
Tesla Semi’s Roar
There is something that just stands out with the Semi, particularly on the road. While the Semi does not have the Cybertruck’s brutalist, angular design, it is still very striking because it’s such a massive machine that moves far too quietly for its size. This is, of course, one of the reasons why the vehicle also becomes extra noteworthy when it fires up its electric motors and accelerates.
Take this video from Tesla Owners Silicon Valley, for example, which shows the all-electric hauler accelerating while pulling what appears to be a full load. In these situations, the Tesla Semi actually becomes audible, but unlike traditional diesel-powered truck, the Class 8 all-electric truck “roars” with its own, unique futuristic, sci-fi sound. In such situations, one could feel the Semi’s raw power, which comes from its three independent motors on its rear axles.
Tesla Semi Ramp
Tesla has been promoting the Semi quite a bit as of late, and recent reports have suggested that the company is putting in a lot of effort to prepare the vehicle for its production in Nevada. Tesla’s Careers website has gone live with over 80 Semi-related job openings recently as well, and a recent report has suggested that Tesla has ramped the Semi’s factory workers in Nevada to over 1,000 employees.
The company has even shared an update video of the Semi factory’s progress near Giga Nevada, as well as the design of the vehicle’s new logo. The Semi’s updated logo is quite interesting as it features elements from the Tesla Model 3’s first logo, which was unveiled way back in 2016.
Lifestyle
Elon Musk jokes he will join Mr Beast’s “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla” challenge
It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again.

Following the first quarter Tesla earnings call, CEO Elon Musk seems to have become a bit more relaxed—relaxed enough to joke about fighting a gorilla with 99 other people, at least.
It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again and not too busy picking fights with politicians on social media.
The Viral 100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge
Over the weekend, a post on social media platform X went viral. The post itself was quite simple, with user @DreamChasnMike stating that he thinks 100 men could beat one gorilla. “Everybody just gotta be dedicated to the sh*t,” the X user joked. The post exploded on the platform, garnering 284 million impressions as of writing.
The silly question also triggered a massive debate about whether 100 men would really stand a chance against a literal gorilla. Some users even lamented that the premise was a sign of male hubris. Nevertheless, the question proved to be a fun topic on X, with some more dedicated users even posting simulated videos of what the “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge” could look like.
Mr. Beast and Elon Musk Join In
The premise is quite similar to other viral videos from noted YouTube creator Mr. Beast, so it was no surprise that edited images of Mr. Beast YouTube thumbnails with “100 Men vs a Gorilla” also started spreading on the social media platform. Mr. Beast, who tends to be game to such silly ideas, actually reposted the edited image, joking “Need 100 men to test this, any volunteers?”
In true Elon Musk fashion, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO noted that he would join the challenge. “Sure, what’s the worst that could happen” Musk wrote in his post on X. Musk’s reply triggered quite a few laughs on X, with some stating that the world probably still needs the CEO.
While silly, Musk’s comment and his recent, more frequent posts about his companies’ products like Starlink and Grok have been received well by his supporters. Over the past months, after all, Musk has been very political and quite confrontational on social media. With Musk soon taking a step back from the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) daily operations, however, it seems like X will soon get a more tempered and lighthearted Elon Musk once more.
Lifestyle
Possible first glimpse of Tesla “Model 2” affordable car in Fremont Factory
The models that Tesla will release in the coming months will resemble the company’s current lineup.

During the Q1 earnings call, Tesla VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy set expectations on the design of the affordable models that the company is expected to launch this 2025. As per the Tesla executive, the models that Tesla will release in the coming months will resemble the company’s current lineup.
Drone footage from the Fremont Factory earlier this month might have provided the EV community its first potential glimpse at Tesla’s affordable cars–fondly dubbed by EV fans and analysts as the “Model 2” or even “Model Q”–or at least their components and overall shape.
The Sighting
Tesla watcher and drone operator Met God in Wilderness, who has been posting aerial videos of the Fremont Factory for years now, recently shared some footage from his drone flyovers this month. While the Fremont Factory was abuzz with activity as usual, a couple of rather strange vehicles were quickly spotted by EV watchers on social media.
During the drone operator’s flyover on the 17th, for example, an unfinished vehicle could be seen parked next to what appeared to be fully-built Model S and Model Y units. What was especially interesting was the vehicle’s roof, which seemed to be slightly narrower than the Model Ys around it. Based on the video, at least, the vehicle seemed to be shaped like a crossover as well.
Footage from the 24th of April also proved quite interesting, with the drone operator capturing footage of another cryptic vehicle. Unlike the mysterious, unfinished, crossover-esque car spotted on the 17th, this particular unit seemed to have a more sloping rear, at least based on the shape of its covering.
What Lars Moravy Said
In Tesla’s Q1 2025 Update Letter, Tesla noted that “plans for new vehicles, including more affordable models, remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025.” Tesla also noted that the new vehicles will utilize aspects of its next generation and its current platforms. They will also be produced on the same manufacturing lines as its present vehicle lineup, likely the Model Y and Model 3.
During the earnings call itself, Moravy specifically stated that the new models that would come out in the next months would resemble the company’s current vehicles. They will, however, be affordable. “Models that come out in next months will be built on our lines and will resemble, in form and shape, the cars we currently make. And the key is that they’ll be affordable, and you’ll be able to buy one,” Moravy stated.
Watch the drone operator’s footage from April 17 below.
The drone operator’s footage from April 24 can be viewed below.
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