Enigmatic and polarizing founder of Tesla, Elon Musk, is apparently eating his words about hydrogen and has announced a major shift in Tesla’s focus that no one would have predicted. After proving the brand’s dominance in electric vehicle technology year after year, Musk says that he’s turning to hydrogen fuel cell powertrains and intends to make vehicles that are essentially self-contained, ambulatory fuel stations.
Elon Musk rattles the world by announcing Tesla’s moving to hydrogen
Elon Musk has been vocal about hydrogen “fool” cells for years, stating that it’s difficult to make, store, and use hydrogen in a car. Musk also slammed hydrogen as “the most dumb thing I could imagine for energy storage.” This is why the decision to shift Tesla’s focus from EVs to hydrogen fuel cells has come as a massive surprise and people are wondering how much of an impact this is going to have on the electric vehicle industry.
Apparently, the official fresh strategy will only be revealed in 2026. If it comes to pass as promised, the move has the potential to radically revolutionize the future of renewable mobility—again. Consumers, stakeholders, and market regulators alike are asking some big questions: Why has Elon decided to make such a massive shift in powertrains? What’s going to happen to the EV market? Is Tesla going to stop producing EVs entirely?
Fuel cell technology: Is this the face of Tesla Generation II?
Musk’s about-face most likely means developing hydrogen fuel cells from the ground up, as they are vastly different from EVs in terms of energy systems. It’s doubtful (but not impossible) that Tesla intends to retrofit or rework existing electrical powertrains, which would involve high costs and complex engineering.
Despite the upheaval the news has caused, and even though it hasn’t been officially announced yet, Tesla’s shift to hydrogen fuel cells appears to be a well-planned strategy and a Model H is already in development. By 2026, consumers will no doubt have their concerns confidently settled. As more competitors enter the green mobility market, Musk will be thinking of ways to entrench Tesla among the top environmentally concerned players and open new avenues for growth.
The challenges of moving to hydrogen technology
Revamping the entire basis of Teslas is going to involve complications and new opportunities for growth. Here are some of the challenges of switching over to hydrogen:
- Production and storage costs: Hydrogen is relatively expensive to produce, especially when using renewable methods like electrolysis using green power. The safe and efficient storage of hydrogen is complex and requires either cryogenic or high-pressure tank systems, both of which are costly.
- Limited infrastructure: To date, the hydrogen refueling network is limited, particularly in the United States, which is going to hamper the public’s willingness to adopt fuel cell vehicles. Setting up adequate infrastructure will take time and a lot of investment.
- Public opinion: Consumers may have doubts about moving over to hydrogen technology considering Tesla’s history of success in the battery-electric market and Musk’s strong past criticism of hydrogen as a fuel in the past.
The Model H: The core of Tesla’s new strategy
In 2026, we can expect to see the launch of the Tesla Model H, the brand’s first-ever hydrogen fuel cell incarnation. The powertrain will see hydrogen fuel cells supplying the electricity to power the car, which should solve many of the problems with storage and infrastructure that Elon Musk has drawn attention to in the past.
As curious as Tesla followers may be, very little is known about the Model H. Tesla may decide to go with a whole new aesthetic to match the powertrain, or it may stick to the familiar lines we’re used to. “Elegance” is a word often applied to Tesla EVs (excluding the futuristic, angular Cybertruck), so fans will expect more of the same. The other two features likely to endure in hydrogen fuel cell models are speed and environmental friendliness.
