Charlotte removes Tesla from its list of approved electric vehicle vendors due to perceived instability concerns.
In a recent council meeting on Monday, the Charlotte City Council made a significant decision to remove Tesla from its list of approved electric vehicle (EV) vendors. The move was primarily driven by concerns about safety issues and the numerous lawsuits related to safety concerns that Tesla has been involved in [1][2][4].
Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield, who led the initiative, stressed that the decision was based on objective safety considerations rather than political or personal views about Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk. Mayfield highlighted the product’s safety record and associated legal concerns as justification for the removal [1][2][4].
The vote, which was 6-3 in favour of removing Tesla, has sparked debate among council members. Some, like Republican Councilman Ed Driggs, have criticised the move as potentially politically motivated. Driggs argued that Tesla vehicles are already part of the city fleet and that other manufacturers on the approved list, such as Ford and General Motors, have also faced recalls and lawsuits [2][3][4].
Driggs further stated that Tesla statistically has fewer recalls than some competitors and that the council was setting a dangerous precedent by excluding Tesla for reasons beyond cost and performance [2][3][4].
Currently, Tesla supplies 15 of Charlotte's 178 electric fleet vehicles. The brand of electric vehicles replacing the outgoing vehicles in Charlotte's fleet has not yet been determined, with Tesla now out of the picture [5].
In the decision-making process for vehicle purchases, Charlotte typically focuses on cost, operational needs, and vendor responsiveness. Decisions are based on factors such as the vehicle's ability to meet service requirements, total cost of ownership, and fleet integration [6].
Council member Malcolm Graham supports Mayfield's stance, advocating for doing business with partners who share the city's values, such as equity and community impact [7]. Council member LaWana Slack-Mayfield raised concerns about Tesla's instability and pushed for the city to stop purchasing vehicles from the automaker [8].
The use of referral links for Tesla purchases was not addressed in the council meeting [9]. The city spokesperson did not provide information on this matter.
In conclusion, the official reason given by the Charlotte City Council for removing Tesla was concerns about safety issues and related legal challenges, although political tensions around Tesla and its CEO also contextualize the decision [1][3][4]. The brand of electric vehicles replacing the outgoing vehicles in Charlotte's fleet is yet to be determined.
- Despite the controversy surrounding Tesla's removal from the list of approved electric vehicle vendors in Charlotte, some council members, like Republican Councilman Ed Driggs, argue that the decision may be politically motivated, given Tesla's presence in the city fleet and the safety records of other automakers on the approved list.
- In contrast to the concerns about safety issues and legal challenges, some council members, such as Council member Malcolm Graham, support the decision to remove Tesla and advocate for doing business with partners who uphold the city's values, citing Tesla's instability and concerns about community impact as reasons for their position.
