There are 2 ways to be viewed as an expert - you are truly an expert and can deliver on this expertise. Or, as is so often the case with marketeers, you know more than others in the room.

With an undergraduate degree in Physics and Economics (interesting combination), he has indeed mastered the trunk and major branches capability to sell his forward thinking to investors.

However, he is controversial among scientists and experts with a depth of knowledge in specific subject areas required to turn a great idea into a electric circuit driving a vehicle. He has made statements built on his image among those who know less than he does and scientist / experts have rubbished a number of his claims. He is not an expert in the sense you would not trust him to fix your car - much more the salesman in the front office who knows his stuff and will sell you the car knowing there are people in the back office able to to make it work