Israel has extended an invitation to Elon Musk’s Tesla to submit a bid for providing electric cars for the country’s top government officials, a senior Israeli official confirmed on Thursday. The move comes as Israel continues to push forward with its electric vehicle goals, aiming to have 1.3 million electric vehicles on its roads by 2030 and for all 6 million private cars to be electric by 2050.
“We aren’t going to bow to woke trends,” the official told JNS. “Teslas are great cars and we look forward to studying their bid.” In response, Musk expressed his appreciation on X, stating “much appreciated.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a staunch supporter of Musk, praising him as a “great friend of Israel.” Netanyahu defended Musk earlier this year when he faced criticism, stating that Musk had been “falsely smeared.” Musk visited Israel after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and publicly supported Israel’s right to self-defense. Netanyahu even personally invited Musk to his July 2024 address to the U.S. Congress.
In September 2023, Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, visited Tesla’s Fremont, California, plant. They toured the production facility, observed the assembly line, and were briefed by Musk about company developments. The couple even posed for photos in front of a Tesla Cybertruck.
Tesla’s bid for the Israeli tender will be evaluated alongside others as Israel progresses towards its goal of full electric vehicle adoption. The Energy and Infrastructure Ministry in Israel is committed to advancing electric vehicle technology and infrastructure to reduce emissions and promote sustainability in the country.
With the potential partnership between Israel and Tesla, the country is poised to make significant strides in the electric vehicle sector, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The collaboration between Israel and Tesla represents a progressive step towards a greener and more sustainable future for the country.