Elon Musk does not want to make electric scooters

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in an interview with Recode on Friday that some Tesla employees wanted the manufacturer to make an electric scooter, but he rejected the request.

"There were people in the studio who wanted to make a scooter, but I said to myself:" Uh, no, "said Musk.

"It lacks dignity," he added.

Musk then suggested that electric scooters darken the driver at the next exchange with Recode's editor, Kara Swisher:

Swisher: No, it does not lack dignity.

Musk: Yes they do it.

Swisher: They do not lack dignity, what are you talking about?

Musk: Have you tried driving any of these things? They –

Swisher: Yes, I do it all the time, I'm fantastic.

Musk: They do not do it, you work in an illusion.

Swisher: I really do it. Well, I think I'm good, and so –

Musk: It's an illusion.

Electric scooters have experienced both a surge in popularity and a violent reaction over the past year. Scooter companies like Bird and Lime have quickly gained ratings of over a billion dollars, but the scooters themselves have sparked criticism for the crowding of sidewalks in the cities where they are allowed.

Read the full interview of Recode here.

More from the appearance of Elon Musk Recode:

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