While electric cars are fantastic, they still have their haters, as some people will never be caught dead driving one. What are the major reasons why some people hate electric vehicles? Keep reading to find out.
Reason 1. People whose business depends on fossil fuel
Some people have built their businesses or empires around hydrocarbon fuels. These include refinery operators, crude oil tycoons, gas station owners and dictators. Naturally, many of them feel threatened by the rise of electric cars because it means less demand for fuels to be burned by the transport sector, one of the major fuel consumers.
Reason 2. Misconceptions about EVs
Some people hate EVs because they have little or no education about the fundamentals and benefits of electric vehicles. They feel EVs have meager driving ranges that are not practical for everyday use. While that might have been accurate many years ago, the case is different as lithium-ion batteries have enabled longer ranges.
Another reason is the false claim that EV drivers may end up stranded in the middle of nowhere when they run out of battery due to the scarcity of public chargers. However, this rarely happens as most EV owners charge at home.
Another false claim EV haters make is that EVs catch fire easily due to the massive batteries that power them. However, it can be easily proven that EVs are involved in fewer fire incidents than ICEs which literally have a tank of highly flammable liquids strapped to them.
Reason 3. EVs are overhyped and overpriced
Some non-EV owners think EVs do not deserve all the praise they get. These people believe the quick acceleration is not worth fawning over as it has little practical value. But this should not stop anyone from purchasing EVs as speed is only a side effect of the amazing efficiency brought on by the technology of the electric motor.
The higher prices of EVs turn some people off. They feel EVs are elitist because only the affluent can afford them. Again, this is a flawed view because there are many affordably priced EVs. Besides, EV prices have been dropping as battery prices fall.
Side Note: Due to the lingering effects of the pandemic, EV prices have recently began going back up.
Reason 4. Elon Musk
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is the poster boy of EVs. Some people do not like his outspokenness and extreme views on issues and have transferred that displeasure to EVs in general. Others do not like that he has accumulated tremendous wealth by making and selling EVs, making him the most successful capitalist in recent history.
Some politicians even spread the talking points that he doesn’t pay enough taxes, unlike the rest of us, who are far less wealthy. This is not a legitimate claim, though, since Musk cannot pay federal tax because he doesn’t earn a salary despite his role. He settles his taxes when he sells some of his shares.
These are simply the tax rules set by Congress and Elon Musk is paying as much taxes as the rules require. If you don’t like it, you can contact your Congressperson and demand that they change the tax code.
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