Elon Musk says he won’t make Tesla electric motorcycles, the reason is causing controversy.

Elon Musk has once again affirmed that Tesla will not enter the electric motorcycle market, despite it being a rapidly growing segment globally.

Elon Musk’s statement about never producing electric motorcycles came after an AI-generated video simulating an “Tesla motorcycle” went viral on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Responding directly under the video, Elon Musk wrote succinctly: “That will never happen, because we can’t make motorcycles safe.”

Tesla’s CEO said he had no doubt about the company’s engineering capabilities in building an electric motorcycle, but the nature of two-wheeled vehicles means the risk of accidents is always high. Musk also recalled a personal experience, when he nearly lost his life in a collision with a truck while riding a two-wheeled vehicle on the street as a young man.

However, Elon Musk makes a clear distinction between street motorcycles and off-road bikes. He believes that dirt bikes can be safer if the rider is careful, because the operating environment has less risk of collisions with cars and large trucks.

Tesla vehicles are constantly plagued with problems, such as investigations related to jammed door handles and the Autopilot system failing to recognize two-wheeled vehicles, yet Elon Musk criticizes electric motorcycles as unsafe – Illustration: Eye Tech

Elon Musk’s statement comes as Tesla continues to face criticism regarding its Autopilot driver assistance system, particularly its safety for motorcyclists.

Previously, there have been several serious accidents where Tesla vehicles with Autopilot activated collided with motorcycles, resulting in fatalities.

Some experts suggest that Tesla’s camera-based self-driving system may have difficulty identifying motorcycles, especially cruiser models with closely spaced taillights that can easily be mistaken for the lights of cars in the distance.

Even without Tesla’s participation, the global electric motorcycle market is expanding rapidly. Traditional manufacturers like Honda, BMW, and Kawasaki have begun launching commercial electric motorcycle models, while specialized brands like Zero and LiveWire continue to improve performance and expand their distribution networks.

In the mainstream segment, many small businesses are focusing on electric vehicles to meet daily commuting needs at accessible prices. Notably, Asian brands like Yadea, NIU, and VinFast are promoting affordable electric motorcycles, contributing to the electrification of two-wheeled vehicles in many countries, significantly faster than in the US market.

The reality is that even without Tesla’s presence, the electric motorcycle industry is thriving, constantly innovating, and attracting more and more consumers worldwide.