Trump’s Tesla and the Electrifying (and Polarizing) Politics of EVs

The political landscape surrounding electric vehicles (EVs) has taken a bizarre turn, spearheaded by none other than former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. In a move that seems ripped from the pages of a satirical comedy, Trump, a vocal critic of EVs in the past, recently showcased his brand new Tesla Model S, a red one, reminiscent of his signature "Make America Great Again" hats, right outside the White House. He showered Musk with praise, lauding the company’s vehicles as "beautiful."

This spectacle arrived at a precarious time for Tesla. The company has suffered a significant drop in its market value since December, facing plummeting sales numbers globally. Simultaneously, Musk’s expanded role in the government – heading up the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – has turned Tesla into a lightning rod for political polarization. For many Democrats, particularly those who previously embraced the brand, Tesla and its vehicles have become a symbol of Musk’s controversial actions and political influence.

The backlash has been tangible. Protests have erupted at Tesla dealerships, Cybertrucks have been vandalized and even set ablaze, and a boycott of the brand is gaining momentum. Some liberal Tesla drivers have taken to expressing their discontent with stickers that read "I bought this before Elon went crazy," a stark reminder of how rapidly perceptions can shift.

Trump’s public endorsement of Tesla felt like a defense of Musk, who he claimed has been unfairly targeted for "finding all sorts of terrible things that have taken place against our country." This unexpected alliance between two titans of MAGA politics promoting a technology typically associated with the left has left many scratching their heads.

Adding to the surreal nature of the situation, the Trump administration has actively worked to undo Biden-era policies aimed at accelerating the adoption of low-emission vehicles. This makes the image of Trump promoting an EV all the more incongruous.

Despite the initial shock, some Republicans have rallied to defend Tesla amidst the wave of vandalism. High-profile figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson and Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene have condemned the attacks, which Trump has labeled as "domestic terrorism."

This sudden shift of Tesla from a Democratic status symbol to a potential Republican icon has sparked speculation that the controversy surrounding Musk could inadvertently lead to a bipartisan embrace of EVs. Joe Sacks, the executive director of the American EV Jobs Alliance, believes that Musk holds the power to bridge the divide and foster a consensus on EVs. Sacks’s organization is trying to prevent what he sees as “silly partisan politics” from derailing a manufacturing boom for electric vehicles.

"He’s uniquely positioned to and has the power to really shape this debate and help bridge the divide here," Sacks said. While he’s unsure if Musk will actually use his position within the administration to pursue that goal, the potential is undeniable.

Polling data from the American EV Jobs Alliance reveals that Republicans have indeed warmed up to Musk. A significant 82 percent of Republicans polled view him as a suitable ambassador for EVs. Furthermore, a solid majority of Trump voters (64 percent) expressed a favorable opinion of Tesla, contrasting sharply with the 41 percent of Kamala Harris voters who feel the same way.

"Republicans are probably inching towards the idea that there shouldn’t be much of a cultural divide on this product category, if the market leader CEO is sitting next to President Trump in the Oval Office during press conferences,” Sacks said.

This data mirrors an analysis by the financial services firm Stifel, which indicates that Tesla’s favorability among Republicans has increased even as its popularity among Democrats has declined. Since August, there has been a 13 percent increase in the number of Republicans willing to consider purchasing a Tesla.

However, significant hurdles remain in convincing Republicans to fully embrace EVs. Many in the party are tradition-minded and prefer larger gas-powered vehicles over smaller, technologically advanced EVs. Marc Hetherington, a political scientist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, argues that the conservative sensibility simply doesn’t align with electric vehicles.

"Conservatives don’t have the sensibility that fits with electric vehicles at all," he said. "So I don’t think that you’re going to see a spike in Tesla sales among conservatives."

Alexander Edwards, president of the research consultancy Strategic Vision, suggests that Republicans see gas-powered cars as a more practical choice for transporting families. His firm’s surveys, which analyze the psychology behind car purchases of around 250,000 Americans annually, support this idea.

"I think Elon made a bet that I think he’s secretly regretting, that Republicans would come out of the woodwork and say, ‘Yes, we’re going to support you,’” Edwards said.

Despite these challenges, Tesla might have a unique advantage in attracting Republican buyers. Edwards points out that a key factor for Republicans when purchasing a car is speed and performance, and Tesla vehicles often excel in these areas. While Democrats have historically purchased EVs at a rate of 4 to 1 compared to Republicans, the ratio is closer to 2 to 1 for Teslas. Notably, last year marked the first time that more Republicans than Democrats purchased Teslas, a trend driven more by Democrats distancing themselves from the brand than by a surge in Republican interest.

For Democrats, who had long faced accusations of smugness for driving hybrids like the Prius, Tesla offered a stylish and desirable alternative. "Tesla was able to finally give Democratic buyers what they were looking for — a Prius-like image of being thoughtful, combined with the fun and excitement of a real luxury sports car," Edwards said.

However, Musk’s increasing political engagement, particularly his acquisition of Twitter in 2022, has transformed Tesla from a symbol of innovation to a reflection of its controversial CEO. "Doesn’t matter if you’re Republican or Democrat — when you jump into the Batmobile, you become Batman," Edwards said. "And the same thing is true with the vehicles we purchase. We often want them to show who we are, what we’ve accomplished, what we stand for."

While the political theater surrounding Musk and Trump continues to dominate the conversation, there are other ways to depolarize EVs. Sacks emphasizes the importance of highlighting the practical benefits of EVs, such as their superior acceleration, braking, and cost-effectiveness. He also stresses the role of personal experience, suggesting that when people have friends or family who own EVs, it helps to break down cultural barriers.

In a way, Trump’s newfound appreciation for EVs could be seen as a testament to this phenomenon, with his relationship with Musk potentially influencing his perspective. Just two years ago, Trump criticized EVs, claiming they needed to be charged every 15 minutes and would destroy American jobs. But, after Musk endorsed his presidential campaign and donated $288 million, Trump softened his stance, expressing support for "a very small slice" of cars being electric. "I have to be, you know," Trump said, "because Elon endorsed me very strongly."

As Trump climbed into his new Tesla for the first time, his reaction revealed a genuine sense of surprise and admiration. "That’s beautiful," he remarked, admiring the dashboard. "This is a different panel than I’ve had. Everything’s computer!"