We’re Not Talking About Elon Musk. There’s a Better Story to Tell.
By Chris Celek, Executive Director
At a recent Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) chapter meeting, leaders asked how to address Tesla and its controversial CEO, Elon Musk, at public ride-and-drive events EVA chapters sponsor each month.
There’s no easy answer. Tesla owners face harassment, and Tesla vehicles, showrooms, and Superchargers are vandalized. A friend of mine—usually decked out in Tesla clothing—even joined an anti-Musk protest outside a service center, adding an “I bought my Tesla before Elon went crazy” sticker to his Model Y.
Despite Musk’s fall from grace, we’re not here to pile on. Tesla and its employees revolutionized the EV industry, forcing automakers to compete with better, more affordable electric cars. For that, we owe Tesla a debt of gratitude.
We don’t owe Musk anything. His actions in government are disruptive, illegal, and harmful. He isn’t even opposing anti-EV policies from the Trump administration.
Musk must answer for all this. Not Tesla.
So how should EVA members respond? By shifting the focus to Tesla’s contributions which include:
Pioneering the advanced technologies that make highly efficient travel with cars and trucks powered by electricity possible.
Engineering vehicle design and manufacturing processes that make EVs increasingly affordable.
Forcing an entrenched global auto industry to wake up and learn how to compete for customers (and our money) with better products for the first time in decades.
With tempers flaring, people are quick to forget that Tesla builds EVs that large numbers of our members prefer.
The majority of Tesla owners purchased their EVs long before the current political climate made the company a target for protesters. Many bought Teslas because they were the best electric cars on the market—offering superior range, performance, and an expansive charging network.
It’s ridiculous to single out Tesla owners now. Holding them accountable for the actions or statements by Musk is unfair. It ignores the fact that Tesla owners purchased an EV based on sustainability, innovation, and practicality—not politics.
That’s why we encourage our volunteer members to share their successful experiences with driving, charging, and maintaining their Teslas and/or the other EV makes and models they own.
We want our members to talk about how EVs are less expensive to fuel and service, more reliable, safe, and a blast to drive as a result of their kick-in-the-pants acceleration.
It’s a much better story to tell.