The electric vehicle landscape in Chicago has transformed dramatically in recent months. Tesla owners who once proudly displayed their environmentally friendly purchases now find themselves scrambling to offload their vehicles, often at substantial financial losses, as backlash against CEO Elon Musk intensifies.
Skylar Damiano, a Humboldt Park resident, exemplifies this shift. Once enthusiastically taking his 2022 Tesla Model Y on cross-country road trips, Damiano recently traded his vehicle for another electric car brand after witnessing what appeared to be a Nazi salute from Musk during President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony.
When trading in his vehicle, Damiano learned he wasn’t alone in his decision. The suburban dealership informed him that nine other Tesla owners had attempted to sell their vehicles in just a two-week period, indicating a significant trend away from the once-coveted brand.
The financial reality for Tesla owners
Tesla stock has experienced a dramatic decline of nearly 50 percent over the past three months, completely erasing gains the company saw following Trump’s election. This stock performance reflects broader concerns affecting current Tesla owners…