Why do Republicans hate electric cars?

[Anonymous]

I was all excited about the model 3 launch and was looking into booking it(even though the wait is 1.5 years maybe). Anyways, a co worker who is a hard core Trump supporter comes up to me and says that Tesla cars and electrics are a scam.

I dont understand why Republicans hate electric cars. Here are the facts.

1) Electric cars are faster than gasoline cars (Reseach ludicrous mode in model S)
2) We are not dependent on foreign oil
3) They are manufactured in Freemont CA, so jobs!
4) The batteries are made in NV so more jobs
5) The tax credits given for electric cars are nothing compared to the tax reliefs given to Oil companies.
6) Most people plug their car into the super charger for 15 mins and get about ~60 to 70% range(Almost like filling gas at a gas station)
7) You plug in your car at home and wake up every day to 200 miles plus of range.
8) They dont pollute and are smooth and fun to drive.

It boggles my mind when I hear another American not supporting this concept.

[Anonymous]

They like noise and air pollution. Apparently. But also in general seem resistant to change. Hence not progressive.

[Anonymous]

I know a republican with with a Tesla model 2. I never knew this was a partisan purchase.

[Anonymous]

I am a Republican and I am not in favor of anything being shoved in my face, I think I deserve the right to choose. I see all electric, self driving cars as another means of control by the left. Not interested, over time I suspect electric cars will become the norm, and that is how it should be, over time. Not government mandated, it should be a result of freedom of choice. Also, I won't purchase anything made in CA until they come back from
"crazy ville" and that may never happen.

[Anonymous]

Because the people who give them money don't like them. (coal, detroit, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Because their contributors are big oil. Big oil hates electric for obvious reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Republican and I am not in favor of anything being shoved in my face, I think I deserve the right to choose. I see all electric, self driving cars as another means of control by the left. Not interested, over time I suspect electric cars will become the norm, and that is how it should be, over time. Not government mandated, it should be a result of freedom of choice. Also, I won't purchase anything made in CA until they come back from
"crazy ville" and that may never happen.

So I guess you're pro-choice... right?

[Anonymous]

Because democrats like them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because democrats like them.

I'd buy that. Not an informed decision, just a spiteful emotional reaction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Republican and I am not in favor of anything being shoved in my face, I think I deserve the right to choose. I see all electric, self driving cars as another means of control by the left. Not interested, over time I suspect electric cars will become the norm, and that is how it should be, over time. Not government mandated, it should be a result of freedom of choice. Also, I won't purchase anything made in CA until they come back from
"crazy ville" and that may never happen.

You must think this idea is just plain insanity:
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/world/europe/uk-diesel-petrol-emissions.html

For those older baby boomer Repubs who don't like such vehicles being "forced" on them, take comfort in the fact that you may not live long enough to see a world free of, or at least with fewer, gas powered cars. So it won't even be your problem. 2040 is still more than 2 decades away.

[Anonymous]

Eh?

I didn't know that one guy represented all republicans.

I think Teslas are fine cars. I also do like Hybrids. We owned a Prius for a while and that thing was an engineering marvel for its time.

I don't think I'd ever buy a Tesla or a self driving car for that matter since I enjoy the way that gas powered vehicles drive, the noises they make, and overall the act of driving. I recognize that different people have different preferences, so to each their own.

I am also a huge fan of Elon Musk in general. He is my personal hero, along with Bill Gates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a republican with with a Tesla model 2. I never knew this was a partisan purchase.

What's the "model 2"?

[Anonymous]

OP, you are making a lot of assumptions based on a single person. I think Republicans dislike:

1) Obama Administration R&D grants and loan guarantees for EVs (Tesla received a loan guarantee to buy that Fremont, CA factory)

2) Things that threaten the oil industry's profits

3) Things that liberals like

So EVs hit all three notes, but I don't think that Republicans actively hate EVs a priori.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a republican with with a Tesla model 2. I never knew this was a partisan purchase.

What's the "model 2"?

Maybe model 2 isnt the right name, but not a brand new one and not the one that was initially released. I assumed it was a 2.

[Anonymous]

They are not full size pick ups with lots of horsepower. An electric car doesnt allow the chest thumpers to compensate for certain "things."