Elon Musk Asked The Government For $100 Million To Fund His Next 'Badass' Tesla Project — What's The Big Plan?

Tesla Inc. introduced its electric Semi with an initial order for PepsiCo Inc. at the company's Modesto, California, distribution facility last year. 

Following this milestone, Tesla submitted a funding request for $100 million to the U.S. government to build Megacharger stations for these electric Semi trucks. According to emails recently seen by Bloomberg, the company plans to construct nine such stations stretching from Texas to California. Each station is designed to accommodate up to eight 750-kilowatt Megachargers.

This development marks the first attempt by a company to create a network of chargers specifically for electric Semis. Commercial trucking is a critical component of the U.S. supply chain, yet it has been slower in adopting measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to the passenger vehicle sector. The Tesla Semi distinguishes itself as the first 16-wheeler electric truck available on the market.

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Tesla executives also reportedly communicated with Texas officials, discussing the possibility that this route could qualify for federal grants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021. The automaker asked Texas officials to send a letter to the U.S. government in support of the plan. 

CleanTechnica stated that according to a representative from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration, the agency is reviewing applications for the grant and expects to announce approved applicants later this year.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that he expects volume production of the Semi to commence next year, citing the challenge of creating batteries capable of achieving the Semi's advertised 500-mile range as one of the reasons for delays. The Semi is still in "pilot production," according to Tesla's regulatory filings.

In 2017, Musk captured attention with his characteristically bold statements about the Tesla Semi at its live unveiling. 

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"If you're a truck driver and you want the most badass rig on the road, this is it," Musk said. He wasn't exaggerating — the Semi is designed to haul 80,000 pounds and has a range of 500 miles at maximum weight at highway speeds. Musk compared the truck's aerodynamics to a $2.7 million Bugatti Chiron, claiming the Semi has a better coefficient of drag.

But not everyone was impressed at the time. Critics pointed to the limitations of electric trucks, including range anxiety and the average range of diesel-powered trucks. Nevertheless, Tesla is committed to overcoming these challenges.

Tesla announced a $3.6 billion investment earlier this year to expand its Gigafactory in Nevada, which will include a high-volume production facility for the Semi.

While Tesla takes strides in the electric vehicle sector, other startups are also aiming to disrupt various industries. The tech giant was once a startup, and early investors who believed in Musk's vision are likely reaping significant rewards today, especially given that Musk has risen to become the richest man in the world because of his innovative ideas. 

Platforms like StartEngine allow ordinary people to invest in these emerging companies. With just a few hundred dollars, potential investors can get in at the ground level and choose from a variety of startups to contribute to innovation and possibly facilitate the rise of the next disruptive innovation. 

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