I agree. Luckily our cars should be real leather steering wheels.
These militant vegans already bragging about paying $550 to have it switched out by Tesla Service on existing cars, while at the same time pretending to care about "the environment". Virtue signalling at its finest. Nevermind the fact that you probably wasted way more resources by replacing the steering wheel on a perfectly good car. The hypocrisy never ceases to amaze.
I find it somewhat disheartening when Tesla drivers - or future divers - accuse others of "virtue signalling", when Tesla drivers themselves are often accused of exactly the same thing.
It reminds me how Al Gore was accused of hypocrisy for the high electricity consumption at his home after he produced the "Inconvenient Truth" documentary.
Rather than welcoming the good cause that people try to raise awareness for, we often tear them down...
.... and that is so easy to do! Because no matter how much you try to do the right thing, you can always be accused of not doing enough.
By switching to a vegan steering wheel, this "militant vegan" probably wanted to draw attention to an issue that is much bigger than herself or her particular steering wheel. Her action might not make sense when considered in isolation, but if you consider the bigger picture, it probably makes sense for the vegan movement overall.
When I queued for two days in front of the St Leonnards Tesla store, I did so - not because I wanted to get the first Model 3 - but to draw attention to an important historic step in the move towards sustainable transportation. There are dozens of ways people can criticise me for this being "virtue signalling" on my part or point out better ways to spend my money to promote sustainability.
However, to me the Model 3 is not only a lower emission vehicle compared to ICE car alternatives, but a significant step towards autonomous transportation. Only when we move to autonomous transportation will the full environmental benefits of EVs come to bear.
Leilani Münter is probably in this for the long game and winning over Tesla to the vegan cause is a significant win for their movement.
I am no vegan myself, but I respect the good intentions of vegans.