When Elon Musk “Tesla Motors Secret Master Plan (just between you and me)” released in August 2006, rated as “success story” describing Tesla's intentions to build an electric sports car, then more affordable electric vehicles (EVs).
Now the master plan and its continuation in July 2016 “Master Plan Part Two“, which added a tech boost aimed at a safer Autopilot mode than human driving, are nowhere to be found on Tesla's website.
Meanwhile, Tesla's 2023 Master Plan Part 3a 41-page letter — denser and less conversational — than previous versions is still on the site. And Musk announced in June that he was working on a yet-to-be-released film Tesla Master Plan 4.
The earliest blog post on Tesla's site now dates back to 2019, a record that only captures a fraction of the company history over 20 years.
Scrapping Musk's original plans, was first discovered by Forbes earlier this week, has led some to speculate that Tesla is deleting its own history OR putting space between them and his early environmental goals. Especially now that its CEO publicly supports presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Tesla dealership in Smithtown, New York. Photo: John Paraskevas/Newsday RM via Getty Images
Musk's 2006 master plan stated that “the primary goal of Tesla Motors (and the reason I'm funding the company)” was to accelerate the transition from a mining and combustion economy to a solar electric economy. He called the latter the “primary solution” for sustainability.
Related: Elon Musk makes a case for Tesla on X Livestream with Donald Trump
In a live interview with Donald Trump Earlier this month, Musk took a softer stance on sustainability, but still emphasized the importance of working toward a solar-electric economy.
“I think we want to move and if I don't know, 50 to 100 years from now we're mostly stable, I think that's probably going to be OK,” Musk said. “It's not like the house burns down immediately.”
Trump stated in his July speech at the Republican National Convention that he would not spend taxpayer dollars on “nonsensical new green scam ideas” and would “ends the mandate of electric vehicles on the first dayTrump also said last week that he might end of tax credits for EV.
Tesla has received $2.8 billion in government subsidies since 2009 and currently advertises its EVs with prices that automatically factor in a $7,500 federal tax credit. So Tesla has the $42,490 Model 3 price listed as $29,990 after the tax credit and estimated gas savings — or lower, with state tax credits.
Related: Elon Musk tells investors that cheaper Tesla electric cars should arrive ahead of schedule
In the live broadcast, Trump praised Musk and Tesla saying “You make a great product I must say. I have to be honest with you. That doesn't mean everyone should have an electric car.”