Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, seems very optimistic about the new Biden administration’s environmental priorities, while in a lengthy telephone interview with Fortune last week that he was ‘excited’ about the country’s renewed focus on climate issues. Musk spoke during his interview about why he is excited about the Biden government, his split with the Trump administration and his hopes for the near future.
Musk noted that he was very pleased with the change in the White House, especially President Joe Biden’s open stance on combating climate change. It is a notable disruption to the attitude of the Trump administration, which has taken a number of steps and implemented initiatives that have pushed the pro-climate agenda aside. “I am very excited that the new government is focused on climate,” Musk said, noting that he is closely monitoring the new president’s moves.
“I think it’s great. I feel very optimistic about the future of sustainable energy with the new administration. “Not that we have to become complacent or anything, but the wind is at the back for solving the climate crisis with the new government,” Musk said.
In addition to sharing his thoughts on the Biden government, Musk also discussed his short stint as part of former US President Donald Trump’s economic advisory board and in his manufacturing council. Musk eventually left the boards after Trump announced he would withdraw the Paris agreement on climate change. According to Musk, this move was the last straw for him, especially as he heads the world’s leading EV company.
“I said … it’s very important that we address the climate crisis and everything. “I took him at his word, that he would really mean it,” Musk said.
The Tesla CEO said he is currently waiting to get involved again as the new US president implements extensive environmental policies, including a focus on electric vehicles. It recently became a major focal point when Biden announced its intention to use electric cars as vehicles for the U.S. government. In his announcement, Biden noted that the initiative is likely to create about 1 million employers in clean energy.
Musk said he did not want to reach a new US president yet. However, the CEO noted that his assistants are already in informal contact with the White House because Tesla knows many people from the area who bring the Biden government into its fold. “My team, because they are very environmentally friendly, know a lot of people who bring in Biden,” Musk said, adding, “we will do our best to assist the new government on climate change.”
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