When SUV driver Darlene Wilson’s family’s Chevrolet Traverse was crashed into, she unexpectedly found herself behind the wheel of a Tesla electric car. Driving hundreds of miles a week with two kids and managing an Airbnb, Wilson had grown tired of filling up her gas tank every other day. After a few weeks of driving the insurance-paid rental Tesla, she, along with her kids, fell in love with the electric vehicle, despite having to rely on company-branded chargers that take around 30 minutes to refill the car’s batteries.
For Wilson, the decision to drive an electric car isn’t a political one, but rather a matter of economics. With the cost of charging the Tesla being far cheaper than filling her SUV’s gas tank, she is now considering purchasing an EV for herself. This shift towards electric vehicles is becoming increasingly politicized, with President Joe Biden advocating for their adoption while rival Donald Trump promises to restrict imports to protect American auto workers.
Currently, there are about 4.5 million plug-in hybrids and EVs on American roads, with the Biden administration aiming to ensure that the majority of vehicles sold within eight years are either all-electric or gas-electric hybrids. Despite EVs having numerous benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, critics argue that they are more expensive, slow to recharge, and have limited range, especially in cold weather.
To help lower costs and incentivize adoption, the Biden administration offers tax breaks to buy American-made EVs and is investing billions in building rapid-charging stations across the country. While some EV critics oppose being forced into driving electric vehicles, others question the environmental impact of EV batteries sourced from China and the potential job losses in the auto manufacturing industry.
Despite the growing political divide surrounding EVs, many drivers like Tesla owner Topher Clark view their electric vehicles as part of an effort to reduce pollution and combat climate change. Clark views the adoption of EVs as a reasonable step towards caring for the Earth and is frustrated that environmental protection has become a partisan issue. As the battle over EV adoption continues, it remains a contentious topic in the ongoing culture wars.
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