Why scratching and vandalizing Teslas is useless and you will achieve nothing if you’re against Elon Musk
As of lately many people intentionally started scratching Tesla vehicles (e.g., keying them), which has been reported occasionally due to vandalism or anti-Tesla sentiment because of Elon Musk political stance. Here are five reasons why people should stop doing this and why it is actually completely useless.
- It’s Pointless and Petty Scratching a Tesla doesn’t undo its existence or the owner’s choice to buy it. It’s a petty act that achieves nothing beyond temporary frustration for the owner. Whether someone dislikes Tesla’s CEO, its market dominance, or EVs in general, damaging property doesn’t make a meaningful statement—it just wastes everyone’s time and energy.
- It Hurts Innocent Owners Most Tesla owners aren’t billionaires or Elon Musk fanatics—they’re regular people who chose an EV for practical reasons like fuel savings, performance, or environmental benefits. Scratching their car punishes them for a decision that’s often unrelated to whatever grudge the vandal holds. It’s unfair collateral damage in a personal vendetta.
- It’s Expensive to Fix Tesla repairs can be costly due to the brand’s specialized parts and service network. A simple scratch might cost hundreds or even thousands to repaint, especially with Tesla’s premium finishes or aluminum body panels (like on the Model 3/Y). Why saddle someone with that bill when insurance hikes or out-of-pocket costs could hit them hard? It’s a financial burden that far outweighs the fleeting satisfaction of vandalism.
- It Risks Serious Consequences Vandalism is illegal, and getting caught scratching a Tesla could lead to fines, jail time, or a criminal record—especially since many Teslas have Sentry Mode, a built-in surveillance system that records everything around the car. Videos of vandals have gone viral, leading to arrests (e.g., cases in 2022-2023 where keying incidents were prosecuted). It’s a dumb way to ruin your own life over a car.
- It Fuels Division Instead of Dialogue If the issue is Tesla’s impact—be it environmental debates, labor practices, or Musk’s persona—scratching a car does nothing to address it. It just deepens tribalism and resentment between EV fans and detractors. Talking it out or supporting alternatives (like the Bolt EV!) is a smarter way to push back than mindless destruction.
Feedback
Scratching Teslas or any car only reflects frustration that could be better channeled. Tesla’s polarizing presence makes it a target, but vandalism only alienates people who might otherwise engage in a real conversation. Plus, it’s just a car: just ignore it let it roll by. What do you think drives this behavior? I’d be curious to dig into that angle if you’ve got thoughts! Thanks and please subscribe to my YouTube channel.