During the Annual SAE Government/Industry meeting on Jan. 29, Republican political consultant Mike Murphy provided a compelling keynote address where he presented an array of polling data on voter attitudes towards EVs. His presentation outlined both the challenges and opportunities for the domestic EV market.
One significant finding from his polling was related to Elon Musk. As a member of the Trump administration and the most visible EV ambassador in the world, he unintentionally harmed Tesla’s brand.
While Musk has become popular with Republican voters as a member of the Trump administration, this has not translated into greater enthusiasm among those voters for EVs.
Telsa polled the worst of the four brands tested among people looking to buy an EV. This dynamic represents a huge problem for those hopeful for a rapid upswing in EV adoption in the U.S.
As Murphy noted, there simply are not enough Democrats to reach the Biden-era goal of a 56% EV market share by 2032.
Additional key findings from the polling include:
- Word of mouth is the most effective marketing. Consumers with friends who already own an EV are much more likely to express favorable opinions of them and be open to buying one in the future.
- There are bipartisan majorities worried about China’s aggressive moves to dominate the global EV market. Republican sentiments towards EVs are moving in a positive direction.
Murphy asserted that this polling data reinforced the need to depoliticize EVs away from, in his words, “tree hugger virtue signaling” toward explaining the benefits of superior performance, showcasing the greater affordability over the lifetime of the vehicle, and removing pervasive charging and range anxiety issues – especially for those who live in multi-family homes.
For additional insights on Murphy’s Keynote Address, specifically on the political x-ray of Musk, please visit here.