We here at Digital Trends are rather fond of hydrogen fuel cell cars. We see it as a very strong and viable replacement for gasoline powertrains. Hydrogen allows for quick refueling just like gasoline but only produces water vapor from the tailpipe.
At the same time, we’re also big fans of electric vehicles, specifically the Tesla Model S. Turns out Tesla CEO Elon Musk does not share our enthusiasm for both alternative powertrain technologies.
At a presentation for Tesla enthusiasts in Munich, Germany, Musk went so far as to say that hydrogen “fuel cell is so bullshit,” as you can see at the 29-minute mark in the video below posted by YouTube user Horst Luning.
This isn’t the first time Musk has lashed out at hydrogen. In an interview earlier this summer, the Tesla co-founder said, “Fuel cells should be renamed ‘fool cells,’ they are so stupid.”
I am surprised that Musk would continue to attack hydrogen fuel cell technology. It isn’t hindering his business whatsoever. In fact, hydrogen fuel cell cars haven’t even yet gone on sale in the U.S.
That’s soon to change, however, as Toyota plans to sell the first production hydrogen fuel cell car in the U.S. in 2015.
So why does Musk hate fuel cells? My guess is that they threaten him. Of course, he’d deny that to the ends of the earth. But really – why else would he deride them so? He’s a bit of a verbal maverick, sure. But unless he really was worried about hydrogen as a competitor, why would he care? It’s no skin off his nose otherwise.
Why do you think that Musk despises hydrogen fuel cell technology? Tell us the comments below.
