Electric revolution threatened by overzealous Tesla fans' destructive behavior [opinion piece]
In the world of electric vehicles (EVs), few brands have captured the imagination and loyalty of consumers quite like Tesla. However, the passionate fervour around the company has sometimes given way to toxicity, as evidenced by recent controversies involving Elon Musk and a group of superfans.
The author of this article, a long-time writer on EVs with over 7,000 articles under their belt, has been at the centre of these controversies. With approximately 6,000 of those articles focusing on Tesla, they have been a keen observer of the company's moves, both positive and negative.
The author's publisher was targeted by a follower of a prominent Tesla superfan named "Vincent" when they published critical articles about Tesla. This fan's aggressive behaviour extended to trying to have the author fired. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. There exists a group of Tesla superfans who attack anyone who says anything that can be perceived as negative about the company and spread misinformation about Tesla.
The author was not swayed by social media trolls to start being negative on Tesla. Instead, they disagreed with several of its moves related to store closures and slashing employee compensation. These decisions, they argue, have negatively impacted the EV industry by creating an echo chamber that amplifies unrealistic expectations, discourages critical feedback, and alienates potential customers who may feel excluded or attacked by overly aggressive fan behaviour.
Elon Musk has been criticized for propagating misinformation about the pandemic, including information released by two Bakersfield doctors. The Third Row Tesla Podcast, run by a group of Tesla superfans, has also been accused of spreading misinformation. For instance, they suggested that an article discussing Musk's stock compensation plan was an attempt to spread "FUD" or that the author was "genuinely clueless."
Musk himself has been involved in these controversies. He has been known to attack local health officials and politicians who didn't support Tesla reopening its Fremont factory. He has also been criticized for his response to the author's critical articles, labelling them as "anti-Tesla."
The author finds it distressing that people are going after someone's livelihood over disagreements about Tesla. They suggest following Don Miguel Ruiz's Four Agreements to improve communication around Tesla and elevate the community. These agreements encourage us to be impeccable with our word, not to take anything personally, to not make assumptions, and to always do our best.
The author is a fan of Tesla and owns three Tesla cars (models S, 3, and X) and is a satisfied shareholder. Despite their admiration for the company, they believe that the toxicity within the Tesla fan community is harmful to the EV industry, Tesla, and Elon Musk.
The author has been an early influencer in the Tesla community. Their website quickly became the biggest EV publication in the world, with now 10 million monthly readers. They hope that by sharing their experiences and insights, they can contribute to a more constructive dialogue around Tesla and help foster a healthier community for the EV industry.
As the EV industry continues to grow, it is crucial that we learn from these controversies and strive for a more balanced and constructive dialogue. By doing so, we can ensure that the industry continues to innovate and thrive, benefiting consumers and the environment alike.
- The author, an influential figure in the electric vehicle (EV) industry with a strong focus on Tesla, expresses concern about the toxicity within the Tesla fan community, which includes spreading misinformation and attacking critics.
- Despite being a satisfied Tesla car owner and shareholder, the author argues that the toxicity in the Tesla community is harmful to the EV industry, Tesla, and Elon Musk.
- As the EV industry expands, it's essential to learn from controversies and strive for a more balanced and constructive dialogue, fostering a healthier community and ensuring the industry's continual innovation and growth for the benefit of consumers and the environment.
