Why EV Messaging Fails & How to Fix It: Mike Murphy of EV Politics Project on EV Facts & Adoption

Summary

In this episode of Grid Connections, we sit down with Mike Murphy, CEO of the EV Politics Project, to explore the growing political divide in EV adoption and how automakers can reframe their messaging for wider appeal. With a background in Republican politics and deep ties to the auto industry, Mike shares exclusive insights from EV polling data, revealing why traditional climate-focused marketing is failing to resonate with mainstream and conservative buyers. We also discuss China’s dominance in the global auto market, how dealership incentives slow EV adoption, and why multifamily home charging remains one of the biggest obstacles to widespread electrification. Plus, we break down the real impact of EV tax credits, why peer influence is key to adoption, and the future of direct EV sales in states still protecting the dealership model. If you care about the future of EVs, energy policy, and how political perceptions shape the industry, this episode is a must-listen. 🚗⚡ Tune in now and don’t forget to Subscribe to our new newsletter!

Links from the Episode

• EV Politics Project's Opinions of Elon Musk Poll.
• EV Politics Project's Merch Store
• EV Politics Project's Blog & Reports
• American EV Jobs Alliance

Takeaways

1. EV Messaging Needs a Shift – Traditional climate-focused marketing fails to attract mainstream and conservative buyers. Automakers must highlight performance, cost savings, energy independence, and American jobs instead.
2. China’s Growing Auto Dominance – China produces three times as many cars as the U.S., posing a major threat to domestic automakers and American manufacturing jobs.
3. Dealerships Are Slowing EV Adoption – Sales incentives and commission structures discourage dealers from promoting EVs, while home charging confusion pushes buyers back to gas cars.
4. Multifamily Home Charging is a Critical Barrier – Lack of Level 2 charging in apartments and condos prevents millions from considering EV ownership, making it a top policy priority.
5. Peer Influence Drives EV Adoption – People with friends or family who own EVs are significantly more likely to consider one themselves, making extended test drives and loaner programs more effective than ads.
6. The NEVI Program Faces Political Roadblocks – EV infrastructure funding is stalled in many red states, while bureaucratic delays hinder fast charger deployment in major EV markets like California.
7. Direct EV Sales Laws Must Change – States like Washington still require dealership sales, limiting consumer choice and slowing EV adoption from startups like Rivian and Lucid.
8. Tesla’s Brand Is Becoming More Partisan – New polling shows Tesla’s favorability has dropped among EV buyers, while growing among conservative pickup truck owners, creating long-term market challenges.
9. EV Tax Credits Are Essential – The $7,500 federal EV credit, primarily accessed through leasing, is critical to maintaining strong EV sales—removing it could cause a major market downturn.
10. Battery-Backed Charging Could Solve Urban Infrastructure Issues – Companies like Electric Era and ADS Tech are innovating fast-charging solutions that bypass long grid upgrade delays, making urban EV charging more reliable.

Support or Connect with Grid Connections

• Looking to either buy a Tesla or even test drive one, use our referral code.
• Travel for work and looking for a card that rewards your travel needs? Earn 60,...