I wouldn't say everyone hates Tesla owners. But there are a lot of people who strongly dislike different aspects of Tesla vehicles and the people who own them.
Electric vehicles are a sign of a significant shift in what has been 'normal life' for many decades. Most people don't like change. EVs are change. These people think that EVs are going to be forced onto them and they don't want that change, even if it would be better for them in all quantifiable regards. They don't want it because they think they're being forced into it. "'MURICA! You can't make me! 'MURICA STRONG!" Or something.
They also think that somehow electric vehicles are going to break the electrical grids. They're completely ignoring all the manufacturing and air-conditioning that is growing at a faster rate and consumes more electricity. But whatever.
There are also people who rant about EVs being so much heavier than gas cars, and EVs are wrecking roads. But my Model Y weighs less than 4400 pounds and a GMC Yukon weighs more than 5400 pounds. Why aren't you screaming at them? What about all the semi trucks that are ruining the highways when there's perfectly good railroad right next to it?
And some of them hate Elon Musk, for reasons, and apparently if you own a Tesla you also worship Musk. So you're an asshole by proxy.
And lastly, they're jealous because they can't afford one, and think we're rich assholes. Completely ignoring the fact they're likely driving a vehicle that cost more to purchase and more to operate. They're just uninformed of the costs of things and making emotional decisions with old information.
So THE REASON they hate us is they have created an idea of what an EV and EV owner are in their head and are operating with that information rather than collecting real information about what is actually happening in the world.
Very well said. What we're seeing is pretty typical as:
Truth Passes Through Three Stages:
First, It Is Ridiculed.
Second, It Is Violently Opposed.
Third, It Is Accepted As Self-Evident
We're in Phase 1 right now crossing into Phase 2 as in some parts of the Country, there are idiots who are vandalizing EVs for all the reasons being mentioned here and more.
For the MURIKA camp, I totally get it as nothing should be forced down peoples throat. This is America and it's not how we roll so I'm with ya'll there. Don't tell me what I can and can't do, what I can and can not buy. It's your hard earned money and it's your choice to buy whatever the heck you want. Let the wallet and demand speak for itself.
(Disclaimer: I know that others outside of the US can't comprehend this, but Freedom is in our DNA here in America.)
Spoiler Alert: Either way EVs are the Future and will be the Future. Just the reality, but the approach to this shift is wrong so I get it.
For the other camp, you have to realize that not everyone is okay with being forced into things. It's not in the core of our culture here to bend over backwards on demand. The mandates and emissions regulations strike a nerve that won't set well with the majority of Americans and Auto Makers. With Europes Euro 7 then china adopting it has crippled a lot of the legacy auto makers. For EV lovers that's great, but guys that's not a healthy transition into EV adoption. Imagine if the script was flipped, you'd be in their shoes too.
As someone who loves Freedom, Country, EVs and Technology (yes there are a lot of us out there with this combo) this is how I try to deal with the radicals in hopes to help them redirect their frustration to where it should really be focused.
+ Mr. Diesel Truck Dude, nice truck man, do you love it?
- Heck ya Brother I love it man. It's my everything, see them two round things hanging off the back of the trailer hitch?
+ Oh yea nice, but uh it's missing one. Anyway, do you like the gas prices?
- Heck no man, these stupid gas prices rah rah rahhhhh
+ Yea the prices are rediculous huh? Dumb policies right? We're mandated to pay these crazy prices. Who's to blame?
- Well you know them cake eaters rah rah rahhh
+ Ok, so you hate the gas prices but you still love your truck right?
- That's right Brother rahhh.
+ Why you hate EVs?
- Because of the guvamint' trying to force it on everyone.
+ Yea I get it, them stupid policies and mandates right?
- That's right! Heck with them policies. Freedom Baby.
+ Let the wallet and demand speak for itself right?
- That's fair.
Common denominator: It's a policy issue. Drivers are mandated and forced to pay the high gas prices, while the same goons are trying to force EVs down peoples throat. It's a bad combo with a common enemy for both camps. The difference is that the ones who embrace the EV adoption are too occupied enjoying the tech, while the other side is dealing with the grunt of high gas prices and policies. Double whammy, so EV guys you have to understand where they're coming from.
+ Don't hate the Tech/EVs, bash the mandate/policies. Our frustrations are more so the same, rather than being so different.
- Oh yea huh you 'is' right Brother. I get it now.
There's no reason to hate on the advancement of technology, but it becomes an issue when things are forced upon the People.
I have a lot of friends who love their trucks and are Mr. Diesel heads and I've had simliar conversations with them to help them redirect their energy. It's not the tech guys, (ie...it's not our Teslas) so quit hating on the wrong thing.
On the other hand there are a lot of Tesla owners that give us a bad name and rep so I also get that too. That's for another conversation.
- "Tesla Cybertruck is the vehicle choice of celebrities across the U.S."
