Elon Musk.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
  • Tesla finally has to deal with the EV slowdown.
  • The EV company can't rely on hybrids and gas cars like competitors.
  • Musk blamed industry prioritization of hybrids for poor Q1 performance.

Tesla is finally being forced to reckon with a slowdown in electric-vehicle demand, and CEO Elon Musk's tactics are likely to look different than his peers' in the automotive industry.