Count me in the ranks of those who have quit Tesla.

Three years ago my wife and I bought a Model Y, Tesla’s small SUV. I was particularly intrigued by a car that ran on electricity, not gas. Living in Fresno, California, in one of the nation’s most polluted air basins, meant that driving an EV, with its zero emissions, would be my small contribution in the movement to reduce air pollution.

The Tesla, as an engineering feat, was great. There were lots of safety features, like lane departure alerts and front camera vision. The ride was smooth and comfortable. The space where the engine sits in gas vehicles was a second trunk, or “frunk.” And the acceleration was amazing. I never doubted I could zoom around trouble on the road when needed.

Plus, with fewer moving parts than a combustion motor, the Tesla did not require oil changes and other typical maintenance — saving money.

It was black with black wheels. My wife adores white cars. But she overcame her opposition and came to like our SUV, which I dutifully kept washed. We once took it on a road trip to Seattle and had no problems finding charging stations.

Then came the election of Donald Trump through the hefty financial support of Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, aka the world’s richest man. And my Tesla SUV suddenly became the political statement I never sought.

Waste and Musk

Trump has allowed Musk unprecedented access to federal government systems and data, supposedly to cut government waste. Cut he has, in wildly irresponsible ways, such as ending phone access to Social Security so seniors with walkers and wheelchairs have to go to offices in person to verify their identity, or go online — and not all seniors have computers.

Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has brought strong opposition and alarm from many Americans, but some have gone over the line into criminal behavior. Tesla vehicles are being vandalized with spray paint, and even lit on fire and destroyed, as a way to protest against Musk and his DOGE.

Such illegal acts have captured the attention of Attorney General Pam Bondi, who likened it to domestic terrorism. That seems overdone, but torching Cybertrucks and Tesla charging stations is clearly wrong and dangerous.

My wife drove the Tesla most of the time, and there was no way I wanted her to be accosted by someone with ill will toward Musk. Nor did I want her to walk out from a store to find our Tesla on fire.

So the Tesla had to go.

A political meaning

Some hate Teslas because they see them as rolling representations of Musk. On the other side of the political spectrum, some conservatives are pushing for Americans to buy Teslas. The chief salesman is none other than the president of the United States.

Trump had Tesla’s various models parked at the White House’s South Lawn earlier this month. It was much like a car dealer’s spring sales event. It came about because of the troubles facing Tesla, including its remarkable drop in stock price as more Americans get upset over DOGE and its break-stuff ethos.

Trump found Teslas to be “beautiful” and interesting. He called Tesla vehicles “a great product, as good as it gets.” Nevermind the ethical problems involved when the president backs a certain brand.

It was quite a turnaround for Trump, who had campaigned on scaling back Biden-era support for EVs in favor of “drill baby, drill” oil production.

As reported by the American Prospect, Trump once said “Electric cars are good if you have a towing company,” referring to when their batteries run out of juice.

Even conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity, no supporter of Biden’s pro-environment efforts, joined the chorus of conservatives praising Musk and Tesla. Hannity just bought a Model S Plaid, which costs more than $90,000. It’s like he just woke up to the advantages of the EV.

“It’s like the greatest car ever invented,” Hannity declared on a recent show featuring Musk. “It really is. And I’m not just saying that.”

The Republican hypocrisy glares brighter than a freshly waxed Tesla.

Back to the EV

I hope to someday return to the community of EV owners. I actually wish the leading Chinese producer of EVs, BYD, was allowed to import into America. The company’s cars earn high marks with auto critics, and boast really reasonable prices.

But there will be no such imports anytime soon, given America’s antagonism toward China.

Until then, the Webers tool around in our new car — a nice white Toyota.

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Tad Weber is an opinion writer at The Fresno Bee.

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