The Political Choice of Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicle owners have always had diverse motivations: from caring for the planet to saving money or a love for power. However, new global research shows that many are now choosing or avoiding brands for a completely different reason — politics.
The Global EV Alliance surveyed over 26,000 electric vehicle owners in 30 countries and found that a significant portion of drivers avoid certain brands or countries due to political factors. Tesla is the most avoided brand, and China is the most avoided manufacturing country.
EV Buyer Loyalty
Among those who avoid specific brands, 41% named Tesla, which is striking for a company that essentially created the modern mass EV market. China as a country of origin is avoided by 12% of respondents, while 5% avoid electric vehicles manufactured in the USA.
The research does not specify the exact political reasons for avoiding Tesla, but it’s hard to imagine what grievances respondents might have. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been consistently involved in political scandals, online clashes, and provocative gestures in recent years, sparking everything from newspaper articles to calls for boycotts.
Some Tesla owners are willing to separate the car from its leader, but for others, Musk’s activities have made the brand unacceptable. A recent report suggests that his behavior has cost the company over a million sales.
Regional Specifics
The survey reveals interesting regional differences. In the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Australia, and even in EV-loving Norway, over 45% of EV drivers stated they avoid Tesla, indicating a less tolerant attitude in the brand’s home market and among the biggest EV supporters. However, in India and Hungary, only 2% and 6% of EV owners respectively avoid this brand.
Impact of Manufacturing Country
Electric vehicles manufactured in China also face varying levels of acceptance: from 2% avoidance (Italy, Poland) to 43% (Lithuania). This may depend on availability and pricing. In developing countries’ markets, Chinese EVs dominate the lower price segment, so political preferences sometimes give way to price and practicality.
Overall, as EV sales grow worldwide and choices increase, brand identity and origin are becoming increasingly important. It’s no longer just about range and charging speed. Drivers are paying attention to who manufactures the cars, where they come from, and even what they post on social media. If automakers haven’t been monitoring their public image yet, this survey gives them an additional reason to be careful. In the EV world, politics can be as important as performance.
This data highlights that the electric vehicle market is becoming increasingly fragmented, where social and political factors influence consumer decisions no less than technical specifications. For manufacturers, this means the need to balance innovation and public responsibility, especially in the context of global competition.