FOLEY — Across the United States, Tesla vehicles, dealerships and facilities have been targeted in violent attacks by those protesting Elon Musk's involvement with the Trump administration.
Tesla stores and galleries are in 38 states and the District of Columbia, but there isn't one in Alabama. However, many Trump supporters believe a store would be successful and safe in Sweet Home Alabama.
Timothy Lower, the owner of simpliHŌM real estate brokerage and podcast host of The Coastal Conservative podcast, has three Tesla vehicles, including a new Cybertruck.
Lower hasn't had damage to his vehicles, but he has gotten vulgar gestures.
"I see very little hate towards Tesla's here," Lower told 1819 News. "During that first week of Spring Break, I did get a couple middle fingers, but it was probably just people that were not from this area, and I think it speaks to their intelligence levels."
He said when he bought his first Tesla several years ago, the political climate surrounding the automaker leaned liberal. However, as Musk's support of Trump and conservative policies increased, so has the anger from the left.
"It's kind of crazy how it has completely flipped," Lower said. "It just shows you these liberals can turn on a dime on somebody or even a company or even their own beliefs just based off of foolishness."
Lower and other Alabama Tesla drivers have to travel to Florida for service.
Tesla has faced legal challenges opening a store in Alabama because of its direct distribution model. Alabama prohibits the practice as an unlawful trade. Automakers must go through third-party dealerships in the state.
A bill to change the law was introduced in 2016 but was never brought up for a vote.
Still, Lower said Tesla would fit in well in a conservative state.
"I think it would fit really well with our conservative values here in Alabama," Lower said. "First off, Musk is a realist. He works off of facts, not emotions, and you know, he really wants to do what's in the best interest of the country, not in the best interest of whoever is lining his pockets."
"So, I think that that's what really kind of speaks to conservatives, is just the genius of him," said Lower. "For that reason, people will buy Tesla because I think they believe in him and it makes it a lot easier to believe in his products, based off of what they've seen."
In Baldwin County, new EV chargers at places like Buc-ee's, Lucy Buffett's Lulu's, and The Wharf prove that locals are investing in electric vehicle infrastructure.
"It just opens up a network for Tesla drivers," he explained. "And it's going to bring more of those drivers to our area, whether they're visiting or here permanently."
The state has awarded $11.2 million in grants to provide charging stations along interstates and to train students at Bevill State Community College how to install and maintain electric chargers.
The FBI has formed a new task force to investigate attacks targeting Tesla as domestic terrorism.
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