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A Curious Study Seeks to Understand Which Group of Drivers Likes Elon Musk More: Those Who Drive Gasoline or Electric Cars.
A new study revealed an interesting fact about Elon Musk’s public image. The billionaire, known for leading companies like Tesla and SpaceX, has more support among gasoline car drivers than among electric vehicle owners.
The survey was conducted by Hill Research and the EV Politics Project in the United States. The study interviewed 600 people with a household income above US$ 50,000 in November 2024.
Gasoline Vehicle Owners Support Elon Musk More
According to the data, 42% of gasoline vehicle owners view Elon Musk favorably. Among electric vehicle owners, that number drops to 35%.
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In other words, the South African is more positively regarded by those who have not yet adopted the vehicles he helped popularize.
The survey also highlights a strong political divide. Among Democratic voters, 76% have a negative view of Musk. In contrast, 74% of Republicans view the businessman positively.
This political division could pose a problem for Tesla. This is because Democrats have nearly double the interest in buying electric vehicles: 27%, compared to 15% among Republicans.
Effects on Tesla Sales and Image
With the growing rejection among left-leaning and centrist audiences, Tesla is facing declining sales and protests in various parts of the world. Musk’s own image may be affecting the perception of the company’s products.
Additionally, Tesla car owners report increases in vandalism cases, indicating that the CEO’s unpopularity may be impacting even the brand’s consumers.
Study Origin and Limitations
The EV Politics Project is led by Mike Murphy, a consultant linked to the Republican Party. Although the data seems reliable, the study has a relatively small sample size, which should be taken into account when analyzing the results.
So far, there are no clear signs of how Musk or Tesla will react. However, the gap between his image and the more engaged electric vehicle public could become an even greater challenge in the coming months.
