because of Elon Musk, Gilles will not buy Tesla

The evolution of Elon Musk’s personality and his political involvement with Donald Trump divide motorists. In particular electric motorists, including Tesla users themselves. Gilles is very satisfied with his Model Y. However, he and his wife today feel a certain unease while driving in this car.

Until joint 2018

It is becoming less and less easy to talk about Tesla and Elon Musk because opinions can be so divided that discussions sometimes turn into verbal jousts and dialogues of the deaf. About fifteen years ago, the American leader was very popular with all the pioneers and supporters of the electric car. Finally a credible boss who shook up the automotive anthill to show another way than burning oil!

Burying the lead or nickel-cadmium battery models, the roadster and then the Model S proved that an EV could be fun, reliable and bring a profit to users. It was then normal to drive a Renault Zoé, Citroën C-Zero and Nissan Leaf while feeling admiration and sympathy for Elon Musk.

The magic was still intact in 2015 during the deliveries of the first Model development of Tesla nor to the victories of SpaceX.

Skids

The cracks likely to divide electromobilists were then caused by various events and unusual decisions: ergonomics of the controls in the Model 3 and Model Y, Yoke steering wheel, large fluctuation in prices favoring ownership but not resale, theatrical dismissal of employees, employee rights not respected, takeover and management of Twitter, etc.

While advisor Elon Musk slammed the door on Donald Drump’s first presidency in 2017, he is now in a key political position, taking positions that are causing concern around the world. His sympathy capital is now very blunted.

In France, this situation occurs at a time when misinformation about electric vehicles is on the rise and European institutions are increasingly struggling to convince people to abandon thermal vehicles. While concrete examples in Automobile Propre interviews prove the opposite, the electric car is dangerously referred to as a privilege for the rich. Hence inappropriate slippages in many minds.

Also readTestimonial: this salesman travels up to 900 km per day in a “small autonomy” Tesla Model Y

Prepare for the arrival of electricity in your business

We weren’t there at the end of 2022 when Gilles started to take an interest in the models of electric cars available in France. And yet, he didn’t want Tesla already because of Elon Musk’s personality. Our reader’s journey as an electromobilist is punctuated with twists and turns: “ Having a company vehicle, I hoped to benefit from an electric model before retiring in October 2023 ».

For him, it was already a matter of setting an example in the company: “ I was in charge of everything related to social and environmental responsibility. I therefore worked on the energy transition of buildings and the fleet of more than 2,500 vehicles nationally. In 2019, it was 80% diesel and 20% gasoline. Four years later, the numbers had reversed. As I took care of the employee vehicle catalog, I am very aware of the carbon impact of the different models. ».

The Nantes resident had to resolve to end his career with a hybrid model: “ Before leaving, I was still able to set up frequently asked questions with the colleagues on the advantages and disadvantages of electric power. I relied on the work of Ademe to eliminate the objections which were unfounded. For example the production of electricity which would be worse than that of fuels ».

Models tried and abandoned

Working on the decarbonization of the employee vehicle catalog had an impact on Gilles: “ This is the reason that pushed me to drive electric personally. Between December 2022 and February 2023, my wife and I went to discover and test EVs in dealerships, from which we left with commercial proposals. I had different criteria including autonomy, a certain level of equipment, eligibility for the maximum bonus and the recommendations of Ademe ».

By crossing the parameters, the French models envisaged were quickly recalibrated: “ Thus the Peugeot e-2008 and DS3 e-Tense, too expensive and whose real autonomy of around 200 km, was too far from the 400 that I wanted. In fact, I wanted to be able to travel the approximately 300 km journey to my parents’ house in Lannion without intermediate recharging. With the Renault Megane E-Tech, it worked, but not for obtaining the bonus as soon as I wanted to add options like the reversing camera. And in addition, you had to buy the domestic charging cable ».

The list then became even clearer: “ Unable to take a French EV, I expanded to Europeans, but I also had to abandon the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 which were too degraded in terms of equipment to qualify for the bonus. Same at Audi where the Q4 e-tron was 58,000 euros. With Volvo we went quite far, the dealer doing everything possible to get the XC40 Recharge below 47,000 euros ».

This car he didn’t want

An electric car finally stood out: “ We were very close to signing with Kia for a Niro EV at a base price of 43,787 euros to which we added the Drive pack, Harman Kardon sound system and metallic paint. As it came to fruition with Kia, I met with a professional to install a charging station at home. He was the one who encouraged us to go test drive a Tesla. I didn’t choose this brand because of Elon Musk’s personality ».

The couple went to the Tesla Store in Nantes: “ When I saw the sleek interior and the large shelf in the center of the dashboard, I immediately thought that my wife wouldn’t want it. On the contrary, she was immediately convinced by testing the Model Y, which she found comfortable and pleasant to drive. Finally, something we didn’t want became our first electric car ».

The surprise was then very good for Gilles: “ The price had fallen significantly, the range of 400 km was there, etc. In short, compared to everything I expected, it ticked all the boxes. Including being in the spotlight of Ademe for its battery of less than 60 kWh. Apart from a certain type of rim, I have all the equipment I wanted. Not much choice for paint: I preferred white, more relevant for summer, to black. ».

Satisfied with the Tesla Model Y

On several levels, taking the Tesla Model Y was an upheaval: “ Bonuses, options, administrative procedures, payment, delivery, everything was suddenly simplified. With other manufacturers, we most often had a waiting period of around six months. For 250 euros, we booked on February 12, 2023 and we received our car the following March 21. It’s so easy that it’s almost dangerous. Contact was very good with Tesla Nantes, with additional information after the test and real follow-up ».

More kilometers traveled than expected: “ I traveled a maximum of 15,000 km per year. We haven’t had the car for two years yet and the odometer has already exceeded 33,000 km. In 2024, I had to make quite a few trips to Lannion to support a very ill relative. I do not regret my 7 kW terminal with load shedding depending on the electrical consumers on the way home ».

Looking back, everyone is satisfied with the vehicle: “ I am very happy with the Model Y which I find really comfortable and which is equipped with a good sound system. My son, who is 1.85 m tall, sits very comfortably in the back. He is not embarrassed at all ».

Also readTestimonials – Why has the Tesla Model Y become the default electric car choice?

A disturbing personality

However, there is a dark side to the picture: “ We have moved on about Elon Musk. Two years ago, when ordering, his personality was not prohibitive for us. Now, my wife is pretty upset about him. She regrets that we bought this car. I am not a fan of what Mr. Musk does and says. If we had to buy our first electric car today with the same choice as at the start of 2023, we would undoubtedly stick with the Kia Niro EV ».

The discomfort is also explained by some observations and feelings: “ We feel that something has changed in the way people look. Recently, I stopped to let a pedestrian pass. He looked at us as he passed our car, taking a good look at it, then at us after ».

Gilles, however, seeks to reassure his wife about their choice: “ I tell him that, certainly, Elon Musk is behind Tesla, but in his company, there are plenty of good people who work on the brand’s cars. I try to put things into perspective even if this person’s attitude sometimes bothers me. My wife doesn’t drive this car very much. She has a Citroën C3 petrol. She was also planning to switch to an electric one. But now she is more skeptical following discussions with friends. She’s waiting to see how it all develops ».

Automobile Propre and I thank Gilles very much for his welcome, his availability and his testimony that we requested.

As a reminder, any derogatory contribution towards our interviewees, their lives, their choices, and/or their ideas will be deleted. Thank you for your understanding.