Why AfD Supporters Hate E-Cars and Love Elon Musk

Among the numerous contradictions that the so-called "Alternative for Germany" tolerates is the rejection of electric mobility. Der Spiegel spoke with sociologist David Meiering, who researches the worldview of radical groups and has interviewed numerous AfD politicians in eastern Germany, to find reasons for this. From the sociologist's point of view, many AfD supporters reject alternative drives like electric vehicles because they are seen as a left-green project that must be fought. Similar to how AfD supporters deny climate change, they also doubt that electric cars are generally much more efficient.

"People are not guided by facts, but by this feeling. Why should I change anything now, why is something being forced upon me again that I don't want at all," Meiering explained to Der Spiegel.

The supporters of the far-right party apparently also barely mind the contradiction that e-mobility creates many jobs in eastern Germany and that Tesla is operating a Gigafactory in Brandenburg that is set to be expanded further. The sociologist also explains this by stating that while there is a majority for the energy and mobility transition, the AfD narrative presents the Tesla factory as a project imposed from above.

Musk is revered by many - and recommends the AfD

On the other hand, many AfD voters have no problem dealing with the contradiction that they revere the once visionary and Tesla founder Elon Musk, who has slipped into the far-right conspiracy milieu and has even indirectly called for the election of the AfD. For instance, the far-right faction in the EU Parliament has nominated him for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. For the sociologist, the prevailing narrative here is also decisive, that someone places themselves above the state and acts as the "voice of the people."

Locally, Tesla is again a "project of the elites"

However, locally, Musk is again rejected as part of an elite of politics and global companies that generate profits at the expense of the local population. The AfD's strategy here is to "pit people against the state." The narrative is that no regulations apply to e-mobility and permits are granted quickly. Tesla is also blamed for the region's water shortage - not climate change. Tesla is then held responsible for people no longer being able to fill their pools or water their gardens because electric cars are being built.

"This is an example of how the party diverts from climate change and agitates against state-sponsored large projects," Meiering analyzes.