Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard has sharply criticized CEO Elon Musk for abandoning the development of affordable electric vehicles. Eberhard voiced his strong disapproval during an interview with YouTube blogger Kim Java.
In their conversation, Eberhard, who co-founded Tesla with Marc Tarpenning, stated that the company has taken a direction he does not endorse. He expressed dissatisfaction with Elon Musk`s apparent lack of interest in producing accessible EVs, believing that focusing on such models would have brought greater success to the company.
“I am actually very disappointed that Tesla canceled its program for budget-friendly cars, because those are what the world needs,” the company co-founder declared. He added that instead of an affordable electric car, Tesla released a truck that he likened to a “dumpster,” referring to the futuristic Cybertruck pickup, and strongly criticized its design.
Eberhard also pointed out that instead of developing a cheap EV for an estimated $25,000, Musk`s company continues to offer only simplified versions of existing Model Y and Model 3 vehicles. This isn`t Eberhard`s first criticism of Tesla; back in April, he asserted that without affordable EVs, Elon Musk`s company would struggle to compete with Chinese manufacturers.
However, in late July, it was reported that Tesla is considering the idea of creating a more compact version of the Cybertruck electric pickup.
Rupert Blackwood 
Barnaby Whitfield