Tesla owners are in the crosshairs and attacks cost an average of around $1,900 to fix
- A new study suggests 44 percent of Tesla owners have experienced vandalism.
- The average cost to repair vandalized Teslas was estimated at around $1,900.
- 66% of owners feel anxious about leaving their cars unattended in public spaces.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has emerged as one of the most divisive people in America and this has sparked an immense backlash. Dealerships have been shot up, cars have been firebombed, and protests are a common sight.
Tesla owners and their vehicles have also been targeted and we’re now getting an idea of how widespread this really is. According to a new study, 44% of Tesla owners have reported their vehicle was intentionally damaged.
More: Tesla Owners Are Ditching Their Cars In Record Numbers
This includes everything from getting keyed to having tires slashed. The average cost of repairs was said to be around $1,900 and 25% of respondents said they caught someone damaging their car on video.
Those are alarmingly high numbers, but it’s important to note this was a small study of 508 Tesla owners conducted by Guardian Service. With that disclaimer out of the way, it appears Tesla EVs in the southern United States are most likely to be vandalized
43% of owners report getting “rude gestures or negative comments from strangers” and 72% believe they’re more likely to be targeted for vandalism than other drivers. The study also found that 66% of Tesla owners feel anxious about leaving their car unattended.
Given the vandalism, it shouldn’t be surprising that 61% of owners said their insurance premiums have increased and this reportedly averaged $340 annually. That’s a considerable jump and 53% of owners expect another increase this year.
Since some Tesla owners live in fear, it’s not shocking to learn that 19% of customers regret their purchase. Furthermore, 30% of owners said they wouldn’t get a Tesla again. The study found millennials were most likely to have buyer’s remorse, although 37% of Gen Z owners said they’re considering selling or trading in their Tesla in the next year.
Despite everything, the company still has its supporters and a majority of owners (66%) would recommend a Tesla to friends. However, 37% of owners have reportedly “avoided posting about their car on social media out of fear of backlash or judgment.”
