General Motors CEO Mary Barra recently shared in an interview that she had a conversation with President Joe Biden about giving credit where it’s due in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Barra mentioned that after Biden credited GM and herself for leading the EV efforts in the United States, she felt it was essential to acknowledge Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, for their significant contributions to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
During the New York Times Dealbook Summit with Andrew Ross Sorkin, Barra expressed her perspective on the matter. She highlighted the importance of recognizing Elon Musk and Tesla for their role in driving the EV transition. Barra humbly stated, “He was crediting me, and I said, ‘Actually, I think a lot of that credit goes to Elon and Tesla…You know me, Andrew. I don’t want to take credit for things.'”
This conversation between Barra and Biden stemmed from a previous visit by the former President to GM’s “Factory Zero” plant in Detroit in 2021. During that visit, Biden commended GM and Barra for spearheading the shift towards electric vehicles. However, many in the industry felt that Tesla and Elon Musk, as pioneers in the EV space, deserved recognition for paving the way for other automakers to follow suit.
Elon Musk later commented on Biden’s words, pointing out the disparity in EV deliveries between Tesla and GM. In the fourth quarter of 2021, Tesla delivered a substantial 300,000 EVs, while GM only managed to deliver 26. Musk also humorously remarked on the influence that certain automakers seem to have over the White House, referencing Tesla’s exclusion from an EV Summit and Biden’s praise for GM’s EV efforts.
The acknowledgment of Tesla and Elon Musk’s contributions to the EV industry is crucial in understanding the journey towards a more sustainable transportation future. As companies like GM and Ford continue to make strides in electrification, it’s essential to recognize the trailblazers who paved the way for this transformation. By giving credit where it’s due, we can appreciate the collective effort required to drive meaningful change in the automotive industry.