Electric vehicle expo CEO has blunt words on future, Elon Musk

The electric vehicle show Electrify Expo appeared at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Wash. on July 12-13.

I had the opportunity to navigate the park and some roads around town in a Tesla Model 3 self-driving car, a Cybertruck and a Porsche Taycan.

Of all those car-driving experiences, the Tesla self-driving Model 3 grabbed my attention the most.

I was focused on attending to the matter of driving a car on a sunny hot Pacific Northwest day with a photographer and an event worker watching my every move.

Then, kicking back and watching the car drive itself gave me the chance to relax and check things out around me, suddenly paying no attention at all to the car's technological intricacies.

After the event, I received some intriguing comments from Electrify Expo CEO BJ Birtwell about the future of the electric vehicle industry, including bluntly stated thoughts about Elon Musk and Tesla (TSLA) .

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Through an email exchange, asked about the the future of EVs, Birtwell made a strong statement.

“EV adoption is following the traditional S curve trajectory of any transformative technology,” he wrote. “Early adopters came first, the early majority is happening now, and full market normalization will follow.”

“I’m talking broadly about electrification,” he futher clarified. “Battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and hybrids. EVs won’t be for everyone, but I do expect them to become the dominant form of passenger car transportation in the next 10 years, overtaking gas cars in new sales.”

“That said, gas cars won't go away in the U.S., nor should they. Consumers should have a choice on what they want to buy.”

A lineup of Tesla Cybertrucks is seen during Electrify Expo at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Wash. on July 13.

Photo credit: Renee Rodriguez

Electric vehicle expo CEO speaks on infrastructure, Tesla, Elon Musk

Birtwell emphasized the point that there is a move in the works.

“It's undeniable that virtually every major automaker has committed to electrification in some form,” he wrote. “The shift is happening. It’s just a question of how fast the infrastructure can catch up because the technology is outpacing the infrastructure now.”

“Infrastructure needs to catch up, and the politics need to get out of the way,” Birtwell added.

More on cars:

Shifting to Tesla and Elon Musk, Birtwell made a key statement.

“Tesla is more than one person,” he wrote. “It’s over 140,000 hardworking engineers, factory workers, service techs, and designers — people who aren’t political operatives. They’re builders. They’re problem-solvers.”

“And in my experience, Tesla employees are some of the most tenacious, loyal, and mission-driven people I’ve ever met,” Birtwell continued. “They have an insane level of grit and a commitment to advancing sustainable transportation.”

Electrify Expo CEO talks Tesla, Elon Musk, invokes Steve Jobs

Birtwell says he does not agree with everything Tesla founder Elon Musk says or does. And he makes his view clear.

“Whether you love him or can’t stand him, removing Tesla from the EV conversation isn’t just unrealistic — it’s revisionist,” he wrote.

“He’s the Steve Jobs of the auto industry. He innovated to a point that forced nearly all other manufacturers to expand their product mix,” Birtwell continued. “That said, EVs have now reached a point where the movement is bigger than any one person or company. Even if Tesla disappeared tomorrow, electrification would still continue — and that’s a good thing.”

Birtwell adds additional statements on Tesla and how he envisions the future — and his mission.

“Let’s be clear,” he said. “This conversation wouldn't be happening if not for Tesla. Love Elon Musk or hate him, he changed the trajectory of the auto industry. That’s just a reality.”

Political and public policy tension has roiled Tesla, Elon Musk and the electric vehicle industry.

Birtwell addresses that fact.

“Recently, a large national protest group asked us to remove Tesla from our events,” he wrote. “We won’t. Choice matters. Access matters. And Electrify Expo will continue to stand for that.”