EVs are the wave of the future, and they are increasing in popularity. However, there is a significant segment of the population that hates electric cars. Much of this hate comes from “car guys and girls” — or passionate automotive enthusiasts. Let’s explore why these car enthusiasts have very negative opinions about EVs.
Misunderstandings about EVs
Tesla Model S | Tesla
First off, we’re not here to “talk smack” about “car guys and girls.” They are a big part of our audience, and we thank them for their viewership. However, if you’ve ever read the comment section of articles or social media posts about electric cars, predictably, you’ll often find derisively negative (and sometimes toxic) comments from rapid car enthusiasts.
Frequently, this hatred is due to misunderstandings about EVs. One of these misconceptions is that electric cars are weak for performance — little more than glorified golf carts. This is likely born from the earlier days of EVs — when electric cars were not as advanced, as detailed by Sharp. However, now, many electric cars are superior to gas-powered cars for performance. With the instantaneous torque from electric motors, EVs deliver quick acceleration that most gas-powered cars can’t match.
Another criticism of electric cars from automotive enthusiasts is the relatively low driving range. For many, there’s a perception that drivers of EVs often get stranded as the cars run out of battery power. However, this rarely happens. The range of today’s electric cars is adequate for most drivers. In fact, some drivers with home chargers will go for many months without ever having to use a charging station while on the road. Also, the range of EVs is continuously improving — and with advancements in battery and charging technology, it might surpass that of gas-powered cars in the future.
Also, many “car guys and girls” incorrectly think that electric cars are prone to fires. This is probably because of some highly publicized electric car fires, such as the Chevy Bolt EV. However, as studies have shown, electric cars actually catch fire considerably less than gas-powered cars.
Hate for EVs due to a perceived threat to the ‘identity’ of car enthusiasts
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Rivian R1T | Rivian
With the need to address the climate change crisis, there are some government mandates for EVs. For example, California will require all new vehicles sold in the state to be all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by 2035. These mandates don’t sit too well with car enthusiasts that love their gas-powered cars. This is especially the case for conservatives, who tend to be resistant to regulation and mandates.
Something to keep in mind, though, is that in “freedom-loving” America, resistance to mandates and regulation is much more extreme than in the rest of the world. In general, when weighing the “greater good for society” vs. individual rights and freedoms, the US skews considerably more toward the latter — especially compared to Europe and other developed countries.
As a result, Americans tend to be more resistant to regulations compared to other countries. This is not just for the automotive industry but for many other things as well. For example, Europe has much stronger regulations for protecting the environment, people’s privacy, and health. So with this ingrained resistance to regulations, many American car enthusiasts are furious about the EV mandates. And they are angry about the possibility of not being able to drive their beloved gas-powered cars in the future.
We welcome comments from car enthusiasts
As you can see, there are a variety of reasons why “car guys and girls” hate electric cars. This includes misunderstanding about EVs, a threat to their identity, fear of change and the unknown, thinking of EVs as cars for liberals, and anger over mandates.
Electric cars are an emotionally-charged issue that triggers many car enthusiasts. With this in mind, I expect an onslaught of negative comments to this article, and that’s OK. We welcome comments — both positive and negative. Either way, you’re helping our site, so feel free to let loose in the comment section below. Hopefully, we can have a productive and healthy discussion about this hot-button topic.
