What Tesla’s massive image problem means for the world’s transition to EVs

After its foundation by engineers Martin Eberhard and Mark Tarbing in 2003, Tesla became the leading brand in the world of electric cars in the world in less than a decade. In the first years of the company, including after the investor Elon Musk became CEO in 2008, it was placed a few hundred or a few thousand cars per year. But by 2015, Tesla made The best -selling electric cars model all over the world Tesla address now Seven of Latter 10 years. In 2023, the company was delivered 1.8 million cars And control it 20 percent of the EV market in the world.

But the position of Tesla as Kleenex of EVS is now a question. After Mossk, the wheat President Donald Trump’s supportfor him Nazi greeting In the opening of Trump, and his efforts Dismantling the United States government Under the auspices of the newly created government efficiency, Tesla faces an organized protest movement, sales all over the world fades and evaluate the stock market. Since the company’s image is suffering, EV experts are closely monitoring to see if the repercussions of the far -right Musk will affect the broader transition.

Transfer is The second largest source One of the global greenhouse gas emissions, behind power generation, is responsible for about 15 percent of the world’s emissions. The United States contributes The largest share of transport emissions To a large extent, “light vehicles” (including cars and personal trucks) are responsible for them 57 per cent of transportation emissions in the United States Most of these emissions come from burning gasoline and electric cars, which can work on renewable energy, have the ability to reduce carbon mark in the sector significantly. accident Independent analysis It indicates that Tesla cars prevent between 10.2 million and 14.4 million metric tons of carbon in 2023 – the same effect between 3000 to 4000 wind turbines for a year.

the Tesla cars from the green progress code turned into an embodiment of tyranny It was widespread and fast.

In the United States, the brand’s fall from Grace reflected the passion of musk with basic government agencies The United States Agency for International Development and National Oceanic and Attrads Administration. In Europe, the public Ire focused on greeting Nazi musk in the inauguration of Trump and its support for the right -wing political parties In Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

In mid -February, “Tesla removal“The protest movement began to organize demonstrations in Tesla showrooms throughout the United States and Europe. A centralized campaign was originally launched by Actor Alex Winter and sociologist Joan DonovanTesla Takedawn organized protests all over the world – including hundreds on one Saturday to happen “the latter”World Work Day“The advocates of the movement indicate that the price of Tesla (and therefore the net net value of Musk) is an applicable way to reduce the political power of a man who is currently running the chainsus through American institutions.

Most of the organizing opposition of Tesla was peaceful, but the saboteurs caused cars and Wahhan Tesla in Franceand Germanyand Massachusettsand Nevadaand MissouriAnd other countries last month. The Trump administration called on attacks on Tesla products.Local terrorismThe Prosecutor Pam Bondi said the Ministry of Justice He will seek a 20 -year prison sentence For one man accused of sabotaging the Tesla agency.

As the protests are acquired, the global Tesla sales decreased. Tesla announced on Wednesday that its sales around the world in the first quarter of 2025 were Decrease 13 percent From the same period in 2024. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association stated that the sales of Tesla across the continent decreased in January and February 43 percent compared to the previous year. The Electric Electric Council in Australia found that Tesla sales in the country were 35 percent decreased In the four months that followed Trump’s electoral victory compared to the previous year. The country that witnessed the largest recent decline in Tesla sales is Germany, where Sales decreased by 76 percent On an annual basis in February, according to the country’s road traffic agency.

In the United States, Tesla sales losses were not completely exciting – partially due to Sales had already started declining last year. But it seems that the opposite reaction against musk has an effect – it was new signs A decrease of 11 percent All parts of the United States in January compared to the year before. In California, the number of owners of Tesla is trading in their cars Nearly 250 percent jumped in MarchCompared to the same month last year.

Meanwhile, Tesla’s share price also achieved great success. On March 10, Tesla fell by 15 percent, on the occasion of the brand The largest loss for one day in five years. As of the end of March, the company’s share price decreased 32 percent of the beginning of the year And 44 percent since mid -December. Even the informed, such as Tesla Robyn Denholm, and a member of the Board of Directors James Murdoch recently. Millions of dollars of stocks of stocks. This week, 27 New York legislators formulated a message to the state observer requesting that the arrow of Tesla be It was removed from the largest pension box in the state. Unfortunately for Tesla workers, the reverse reaction targeting Musk may affect them, as many of them have long accepted their salaries less than industry standards in exchange for stock options.

Tesla was steeped in controversy since the pre -Musk interventions in the US government – and even before buying and quickly turned in 2022.

Although EVS may be better for the planet than their gas professional counterparts, they also feed Lithium Extraction requires tremendous energy for manufacturing. Tesla faced criticism for years for its clear ignorance of the welfare of the labor force-from the miners in the global south Facing human rights violations For factory workers in the United States And Europe Who trusted Dangerous conditions and Hostile and racist work environments. Musk is also a hostile to the Union: Tesla is the only main brand for cars whose workers do not represent any union in the United States, and its refusal to negotiate with the workers in Sweden caused a mechanical strike This has been withdrawn since October 2023.

Tesla also had negative effects on the local environments in which it works. Its factories have He obtained huge fines from the US Environmental Protection Agency To remove toxic chemicals. The expansion of Tesla factory was in Germany Unfortunately opposed by the local population and climate activists He said he threatened local drinking water resources.

Timing Solve the Public Relations Department In 2020, the Investor Relations Department did not respond to GRIS to comment on this article.

If Musk’s participation in the Trump administration continues to harm the Tesla brand, what will be the influence on the broader EV market? Industry analysts at S&P Global Mobility expect Global EV sales will grow by approximately 30 percent This year, despite the unconfirmed market conditions. Even with the decrease in European Tesla sales by 43 percent in the first two months of this year, the total EV sales increased by 31 percent during the same period.

However, not all experts are optimistic. “Some consumers may be not ready to switch” from Tesla to other brands, especially given “the main Tesla attractiveness – a wide charging network, which other car makers cannot repeat overnight.”

But others in the industry point out that the EV market is now strong enough because the continuous decrease in Tesla will not weaken the growing EV adoption. “The EV market has become so much stronger last year that buyers can find a good alternative if they decide not to buy Tesla,” said Will Roberts, RHO Motion.

Steffen Schaefer, head of future cities and movement at AFRY Management Consulting, who worked with auto manufacturers, utility companies and fee operators on EV shipping projects. “If Tesla will decrease, it will not be the end of the electronic movement,” he said. “The industry is now strong enough to continue.”

Meanwhile, Tesla’s competitors do not lack their chance to take advantage of its disappearance. In February, the South Korean car department published an advertisement on one of the social media pages showing Kia EV with a reading sticker “I bought this after Elon became crazy” – a play on the posters adopted by Tesla owners who protest as bought their cars “before Elon was crazy.” (Kia’s headquarters quickly explained that He did not agree to the advertisement))

The Swedish EV maker went a step forward and offered the “conquest bonus” worth $ 5,000 towards a rental contract of Polestar 3 for the current Tesla owners in the United States who want to make the switch. Polestar initially offered the deal for one week in February – but after its sales in the United States I mentioned higher orders than average During that period, the brand extended promotion through The end of March.