All Tesla Drivers are Tories: class divides in the UK car scene

The Tesla model S: an absolute beauty of a vehicle, its sleek lines cutting through the air as the whole vehicle leaps at the push of an accelerator.

Tesla has worked incredibly hard to earn its spot as ‘the future’ of personal transport. From genuinely incredible self-driving software to slightly more gimmicky ‘call car’ features, the car is a delight to sit in, drive and just admire.

The rapid, unrestrained acceleration is a major draw for performance fanatics, offering an experience wholly unreachable by the likes of oldschool ICE cars.

Ever since the Rimac Concept 1 in 2013, this new breed of electric performance enthusiasts has been growing — and now, Tesla is scratching that itch.

Teslas are a wonderful, exhilarating bit of kit — but, as author Owen James points out in his work ‘the Demonisation of Chavs’, there’s been growing cultural efforts attempting to paint Britain as a ‘classless society’. The UK Conservatives in particular exude this mentality — for example, in their recent dedication to a full-EV market by 2030. I’ve written how this could harm lower income families here, but for a quick overview- the Tories failed to consider that market realities risk a steep increase in vehicle (especially electric) prices. If someone’s worldview is flattened to only their own class — of course they wouldn’t view this class disparity as a potential issue.

This aloofness — followed by finger-wagging and slight tutting — is what some describe as ‘out of touch’, and how ICE enthusiasts generally describe “Tesla fanboys”. ICE fanboys then get called chavs, boy racers…you get the idea.

Transportation — like living space — is inherently political. It affects your safety, and determines your own independence and freedom. However, car fanatics aren’t about just transportation: they want more. More performance, more cosmetics, (hell, more LEDs). For EVs, Tesla is the really the singular non-supercar performance option. And at a hefty pricetag.

Honda civics and VW polos are all largely affordable, small hatchbacks, offering a far lower entry point to young hobbyist mechanics and performance lovers. A step above those is the BMW or Audi — more horsepower, with similar DIY-friendly options. Supercars remain the creme de la creme, restricted to those with both intense passion and enough disposable income.

So, sure, you can’t afford a Maserati but you like speed and power. Want to get stuck in — sound powerful on a budget? A honking great twin exhaust is a fraction the price of a beefier engine. You can’t afford a Lambo, but a Lambo-inspired bodykit sure looks the part.

Historically, dislike of the working class has revolved around mainstream middle class opinion. Concerns around cleanliness, morality, education and general societal decline have largely been placed upon the shoulders of Britain’s poorest. “chav” means “underclass” — working-class people who don’t follow the expectations of those above him.

Viewing the UK car scene through the lens of cleanliness is more topical than ever thanks to the introduction of EVs and “clean energy”. Widespread noise and air pollution are unsightly; grotesque — becoming unpopular for good reason. But a car show isn’t your everyday noisy traffic: it’s performance in both the horsepower and theatrical sense.

Even as the public pushes for safer, cleaner streets — we retain a secret love affair with car shows. These events are more popular than ever, with people travelling hundreds of miles to view the spectacle.

From huge, highly-organised shows like Tracks at Silverston — the largest modified car show in the UK — to local Instagram- and Facebook-organised meetups, the events are always diverse and thrilling.

Candy pink Çitreons sit next to roaring Ferrari f40s, and the range of modifications and customizations make meetups a deafening, dazzling display. The main appeal of a meetup is to show off the time and effort put into your vehicle, encompassing sight, speed and sound. Nowhere is this more obvious than the entrance. Many take the entrance queue as a challenge to squeal rubber, burn diesel, and rattle off backfires. This cacophony of revs and roaring engines is the sign of a thriving hobbyist and excited crowd. Areas to let it rip are vital for the other non-cosmetic elements of performance — namely, speed and precision driving.

Once things have parked up and settled down (if given the chance to, with how overwhelming police presence can sometimes be) — neons are lit, bonnets are popped and dolled-up engines displayed.

As larger, authorised shows are not every weekend, hobbyists enjoy any opportunity they can get to arrange local social events amongst themselves. This is the reason why unauthorised car meets are a thing. These unofficial meets are pure enthusiasm: no profit motive or marketing ploys. Engine volleys echo around industrial estates as groups of young people indulge in their passions.

The ‘boy racer’ or ‘chavvy’ image of a souped-up, red-lining Honda Civic leads to a lot of public fear and apprehension around meetups — hence the strong police presence — which highlight the reality of the UK car scene’s deep political divides. Groups of young people having fun in public spaces has always been frowned upon. Sgt Emmerson has previously commented on one car meet that: “Northumbria Police acknowledge that the vast majority of car enthusiasts do not cause issues for other road users or local residents. However, there is an element who have no regard for the safety of road users and the consideration of residents”.

There is unavoidable risk when it comes to driving — the faster you drive, the higher the risk — and more should be done to educate on this. But many safety concerns fail to realise that most groups self-regulate. If one young twat goes hauling rubber down a dangerous strip of road outside the meet — or drives drunk or otherwise ridiculously recklessly — then event organisers (and, if it’s a tightly-knit group, other attendees) often kick out or ban offenders.

Ever heard the sage old advice to never date horse girls or car guys? It’s because their Polo is their passion.

Of course, car meetups are not popular with locals nor people outside of the scene. For them, it’s a nuisance — similar to when your neighbours throw a house party and you’re not invited. That’s understandable. However, acceleration-adoring Tesla fans are also just as quick to condemn meetups — their complaints about others’ engine and exhaust noises amplified by their own vehicles’ dead silence.

Thanks to the UK car scene’s heavy involvement with modified vehicles, Teslas simply cannot get involved. Modifying a Tesla is not only frowned upon by the manufacturers, but outright dangerous, as you’d need to contend with the 400 or so volts coursing through the system. ‘Tesla modifications’ at the moment are very rarely Teslas being modified — they’re other chassis and engines being replaced with electric or hybrid functionality.

Firstly, I find this a great shame — Tesla vehicles look iconic — and I can only imagine the creativity and wit the car scene would have with them. There’s real potential! Look at this hideously amazing Model S, converted into an El Camino:

Isn’t it fantastic(ally ugly)?! I love it.

However, the aggression and snobbery with which Tesla owners often view the passionate Ford focus driver is uncalled for.

For example, here’s one comment from a writer focused on the EV space (anonymised):

There’s a small part of me that chalks it up to jealousy, sure — apparently, some think the sensation of drag racing in a Tesla is nowhere near as responsive or fun — but there’s a root cause of this mutual dislike between ICE and EV enthusiasts.

The overarching condemnation of ICE vehicles — the core of the EV market’s selling point — has knock-on effects throughout the car scene. By demonising the internal combustion engine, and continuously praising the EV as future-defining; as ethically and environmentally spotless — it’s easy to view passionate dieselhead drivers with disdain. Which, of course, becomes mutual.

What you’re forgetting — is that you may have more in common with that “boy racer” than you realised. (like, Tesla drivers — you could totally thrash that Golf at a red light, just sayin’). As soon as Tesla — or whatever future electric performance vehicle is next — becomes a staple at UK car shows: the friendly competition will kick in, and next thing you know we’ll all be drag racing toward the sunset together. Maybe.

So, sure, you might not be a legitimate Tory if you drive a Tesla — turns out it’s a mindset, not the car you drive. But — regardless of how many decibels your Honda can shriek or how many G’s your Tesla can crush you into your seat — it’s all an inferior mode of transport compared to the almighty Nissan Cube.