In a breathtaking announcement that left Tesla fans and auto rivals speechless, Elon Musk was expected to describe the biggest auto financing of the decade: a hydrogen engine that “kills the entire electric car industry.”
Yes, you read that right. Elon Musk himself, who has publicly mocked hydrogen fuel cells in the past as “dumb cells,” is now talking about a revolutionary turning point. And the auto industry doesn’t know whether to laugh, panic, or call his bluff.
Shock
During a cryptic and off-script Tesla R&D event in Austin last night, Musk surprised the audience with just one make-or-break non-confirmation:
“People think electric is the future. I’ll show you our new hydrogen engine that’s shelving the entire electric car market – including ours – it’s time to take the next leap.”
A few seconds later, a prototype appeared on the screen, which looked like a hydrogen-electric hybrid performance Tractra with the accent “Project Hyperion.”
Wait a minute, don’t you hate hydrogen?
Musk has been a vocal critic of hydrogen technology for years, calling it “extraordinarily stupid” and “a waste of time for cars.” Industry experts and electric car advocates are now scrambling to make sense of this sudden shift.
Some experts claim Musk has been secretly funding hydrogen R&D projects since early 2023, while others suggest it could be a publicity stunt designed to shake up competitors like Toyota, Hyundai and BMW – the only major carmakers still heavily invested in hydrogen.
Could you really end the era of electric cars?
Hydrogen technology offers advantages such as faster refueling and longer range than battery-powered electric vehicles. However, challenges – including storage safety, infrastructure and production costs – have made it a niche option.
But if the rumors about Tesla’s solid hydrogen tanks and carbon-free production method (last month in internal memos) are true, things could change radically.
Energy Technology analyst Dr Lila Carmichana commented: “If Musk has solved the storage and cost issues, it’s not just a new engine – it would be an event that knows battery electric cars like we do.”
Social Media Chaos
Within minutes of Musk’s comment, the hashtags #HyDrogentesla and #evobliteration began trending globally. While some users celebrated Elon as a “chaotic genius,” others accused him of mocking investors and customers.
In a viral post, he says: “This guy spent a decade trying to sell electric cars in the US. Now he’s about to sell hydrogen there like a plot twist in a sci-fi movie.”
What will happen now?
Musk has promised to fully unveil the prototype engine this summer with the confirmation that it promotes a new line of Tesla vehicles that can accelerate in less than 1.8 seconds and have a 0-60 mph time of just 3 minutes on a tank.
Industry experts are skeptical, but if history has taught us anything, betting against musk’s boldest ideas can be a risky move.
