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Musk Casts a Shadow over Electric Vehicles and Memphis

Environmental crusader image of Elon Musk suffers as per fresh research findings

Musk Casts a Shadow Over Electric Vehicles and Memphis
Musk Casts a Shadow Over Electric Vehicles and Memphis

Musk Casts a Shadow over Electric Vehicles and Memphis

In a recent study published in the journal Nature, it has been revealed that Elon Musk's political antics have made Tesla a more polarizing brand in the U.S., damaging its reputation particularly among liberals while failing to attract increased support from conservatives.

The study, led by psychologist Alexandra Flores at Williams College, found that liberals show declining intentions to purchase Teslas compared to other EV brands, linked to negative perceptions of Musk's public persona. Conversely, conservatives consistently disfavor purchasing Teslas and EVs irrespective of how they view Musk.

Musk's activism has thus reduced liberal support for Tesla without significantly increasing conservative support, deepening political divides around the brand and the electric vehicle market in general. The erosion of Musk’s credibility, fueled by controversial statements and actions, has contributed to skepticism toward Tesla and skepticism toward EVs as an industry, dampening the sustainable transportation movement.

Tesla investors have also reacted negatively, shown by sharp stock drops following some of Musk's political moves, such as his recent announcement of starting a new political party.

The study's results were unexpected, as Flores and her team thought that liberals would remain stable in their support for electric vehicles and that Musk's rightward turn would bring conservatives on board.

Meanwhile, in Memphis, Tennessee, the use of methane generators at the new data center, Colossus, constructed by xAI, has raised concerns about emissions and potential violation of the Clean Air Act. The NAACP and other community groups have filed an appeal against the Shelby County Health Department's decision to grant xAI an air permit for 15 gas turbines at its South Memphis data center.

State Representative Justin Pearson has stated that the health department's permit approval to xAI sends a troubling message that violating environmental laws in Shelby County is acceptable. LaTricea Adams, the head of a community group known as Young, Gifted & Green, has expressed concerns about the potential harm to Black communities and the history of environmental racism in the area.

However, the city of Memphis has expressed support for xAI, likely due to the expected financial benefits it will bring to the city. xAI has pledged that "onsite power generation will be equipped with state-of-the-art emissions control technology," making Colossus the lowest emitting facility of its kind.

The study also suggests that Elon Musk's actions have made him synonymous with electric vehicles in the US, which has affected the entire class of vehicles. In the past, Musk was portrayed as a scientist and entrepreneur, but his public persona has shifted, and this change has had a negative effect on the perception of electric cars in the United States.

References:

[1] Flores, A. (2025). The impact of Elon Musk's political antics on Tesla and the electric vehicle market. Nature.

[2] Pearson, J. (2025). Shelby County Health Department's air permit decision for xAI raises concerns. Tennessee Lookout.

[3] Adams, L. (2025). Community groups file appeal against Shelby County Health Department's decision to grant xAI an air permit. Tennessee Lookout.

[4] Young, Gifted & Green (2025). Statement on xAI's air permit decision and potential harm to Black communities. Tennessee Lookout.

  1. The study published in Nature reveals that Elon Musk's political antics have negatively impacted Tesla's image, particularly among liberals, and have not succeeded in attracting more conservative support.
  2. Psychologist Alexandra Flores' research found that liberals have decreasing intentions to buy Teslas compared to other electric vehicle (EV) brands due to negative perceptions of Musk.
  3. Conservatives, on the other hand, consistently oppose purchasing Teslas and EVs regardless of their views on Musk.
  4. In the memo, Flores and her team explain that Musk's political activity has exacerbated political divisions around Tesla and the EV market without significantly increasing conservative support.
  5. Tesla investors have responded negatively to Musk's political moves, as demonstrated by stock drops following certain announcements, such as his plan to start a new political party.
  6. Meanwhile, the use of methane generators at the new data center, Colossus, constructed by xAI in Memphis, Tennessee, has sparked concerns about emissions and potential violations of the Clean Air Act, leading to community appeals and increased scrutiny.

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