Goodbye to Tesla EVs: Elon Musk has decided to switch to a more futuristic fuel
In a revelation that has shaken the automobile market, the wealthiest man in the world and Tesla boss, Elon Musk, could have disclosed that the electric auto manufacturer will be shifting to hydrogen-powered automobiles in the next four years. The first car to incorporate this new source of fuel would be a vehicle that was brand new to the Tesla lineup, known as the Model H.
This U-turn would be a dramatic shift in the traditionally antagonistic Musk’s approach, and comes after he was very critical of hydrogen fuel cell technology as the worst way to store energy. However, due to the set difficulties in achieving scaled production of the 4,680 kWh battery, the competition from a Chinese automaker, BYD, and other issues seem to have put pressure on Musk.
The first hydrogen Tesla would come in the form of the Tesla Model H in 2026, based on recent developments in automobile manufacturing. This strategic step would be a radical change in the development of new technologies in the field of vehicle production and indicates the desire of Tesla to fully enter the mass market.
Tesla Model H in 2026: It started as a joke, but the tycoon has taken it seriously
The next Model H is said to have a different powertrain that is centrally mounted, six electric motors, a floor diffuser from front to rear, and face vents with integrated concealed flaps for the control of airflow. These technical innovations are believed to help to achieve this type of impressive performance:
- Acceleration of 0 to 60 MPH in just 1.2 seconds.
- Range of 450 kilometers (280 miles) on a single charge.
The integration of hydrogen fuel cells in the Model H helps Tesla adapt to the realities of manufacturing the 4,680 kWh battery. Thus, with the help of hydrogen power research, the company intends to overcome some of the disadvantages of batteries used in electric vehicles, namely long charging time and high capital costs.
Hydrogen Tesla has not been confirmed, but Elon Musk could be thinking about this “secret” project
The proposed use of hydrogen fuel cells in the Model H is an interesting way of handling the issues that Tesla faced when it aimed at creating a 4,680 kWh battery in mass production. Thus, the announcement of hydrogen power is intended to overcome some of the problems of electric vehicles with their batteries, which include time-consuming and expensive charging systems.
The change of words by Musk shows a complete U-turn in a way that is quite unexpected, especially for someone who has always opposed the use of hydrogen fuel cell technology. This change in attitude can be thought of as having stemmed from the CEO’s flexibility in regard to acceptance of new strategies in the increasingly competitive automobile market.
As you can see, Elon Musk’s commitment to diversify his fuels responds to a clear intention: he has stopped betting everything on electric, given the obstacles that this fuel is experiencing in its development. However, it will still be quite a while before we see a hydrogen Tesla, even with the Tesla Model H on the horizon (yes, the letter comes from the fuel it intends to use, as confirmed). In any case, we’ll see what their next (and unexpected) moves are.
