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The love that Tesla owners have towards their cars is really something special. Few automotive brands have been able to garner this kind of loyalty. Some that come to mind are Saturn (A Different Kind of Car Company), Ford’s F-150 (heritage, utility, and dominance in the truck segment), and Toyota (reliability, affordability, and long-term value). It’s especially impressive given Tesla’s relative youth, and despite goofy behavior from the company’s leader. Social media is awash with Tesla’s gushing owners, some who have gone from a Model 3 to a Model Y. They stay within the familiar Tesla ecosystem even as other options grow.
Here’s a recent post on the Facebook Tesla Model Y group by Tom Hogsed about his recent purchase of a used Model Y.
“I’m almost 51 years old and after purchasing this used 2021 Model Y Long Range AWD (57K miles), I can honestly say that I’ve never enjoyed driving more! Do you find that the newness wears off, or does the enjoyment continue because of the constant updates?
Things I was unsure about while researching…
– Battery Anxiety (felt it the first day, but learned a ton by researching and knowing my options)
– Regenerative Breaking (I gave my salesman whiplash when I was test driving, but after I got used to it after a couple hours, I can’t imagine driving without it)
– What People Would Think (I guess I shouldn’t care about that!)
– Overwhelming Technology (I love technology, but was worried about the amount of things to learn; however, taking an hour to go through the screen menu allowed me to see what was available and how to use it)
Things I didn’t know I’d love…
– The Speed (I want to punch it every time I take off at a light or am on the highway!)
– Lack of Apple Carplay (I still don’t love the built in text and call features, but I’ve learned to use Siri to do that for me…maybe I’ll change my mind at some point)
– Wanting To Take Rides (…just because)
– The Lack of Engine Noise (weird at first, but got used to the lack of sound…kind of cathartic)
– Finding a Community Around Tesla (Hobbies are much better in community)”
Ian Vosper share this insight:
Advertising
“The newness wears off. But then one day, you’re forced to drive an ICE car for one reason or another, and bam, it comes right back!”
Katrina Jasper Madewell added:
“I’ve had my Model Y for 5 years 105k miles and still love it. I feel like I’m just trying to find excuses to buy a new one – LOL”
Tesla owners are fiercely loyal for a variety of reasons. Some like an American success story. Many are truly bothered by the thought of creating gas-powered emissions. Others are part of an early majority who want to be a part of something different and exciting. The experience is completely rethought from the ground up, including the minimalist design, massive touchscreen, and fast-charging Supercharger network. Some are drawn to the performance, instant torque, and smooth silent ride. Tesla took the gawky electric vehicle experience and made it cool. The ownership experience keeps getting better with transparent over-the-air updates that make the car better over time. It is not just about transportation, it is about belonging to a movement.
Even with early frustrations like inconsistent panel gaps, lagging customer service, or a service center that is hours away, many Tesla owners still choose to stay with the brand. Some overlook quality control issues or missing creature comforts because the core experience (the performance, software, and charging convenience) feels worth it. Evidence of this loyalty shows up in industry studies like S&P Global, which has ranked Tesla at the top for EV brand retention, with nearly 70 percent of owners choosing another Tesla when it is time to upgrade.
The EV Adjustment Curve
Anyone who has switched from gas-powered car to EV can tell you about their personal experience with the adjustment curve. At first, there can be range anxiety, but the interesting thing about range anxiety is that it is mostly experienced by people who don’t own electric cars. Once you own an EV, the range is very easy to manage, think of 20% charge as an empty tank and voilà, no more range anxiety. OK, maybe it’s not always that easy, but it’s just not a big deal.
It can also take a minute to get used to regenerative braking, also called “one pedal driving.” Seriously, it literally takes a minute. The nice thing is that you also get used to having your brakes last about 180,000 miles because the regenerative breaking does most of the stopping without wearing down the actual brake’s pads. The massive touchscreen is definitely cool, but can take a little getting used to glancing a little to the right to see your speed. The silence is also a little strange, but you quickly get addicted to it when you realize how much better your music sounds and how much easier it is to hear your passengers.
Then, almost without noticing, things begin to click. You find your favorite Superchargers, you get used to the instant torque, and suddenly it all feels natural. Driving anything else feels awkward. I travel frequently, and rent EVs to avoid the frustrating experience of driving laggy gas-powered cars. Features that once intimidated begin to feel indispensable, and the multitude of features leads to many more ways to personalize your car. Your seats remember your setting, you can “PIN out” your teenaged driver from high performance features. Over-the-air updates roll in with new tricks, and every drive feels smoother and smarter. The learning curve is easy with a reward at the end. The transformation from “skeptical to smitten” is something many EV owners share. It is not just about adapting to new technology, it is about discovering that driving can feel fresh, personal, and fun again.
The sentiment is borne out in the data. The highly reputable J.D. Power found in their 2025 EVX study, that 94% of battery-electric vehicles (BEV) owners are likely to buy another electric vehicle, while only 12% say they’re likely to switch back to an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. S&P Global Mobility found that households owning BEVs, 68% remained loyal to the electric powertrain for their next purchase, and 58% stayed with the same brand. When it comes to Tesla households, S&P found exceptional retention, with about 76% sticking with EVs and 67% staying with Tesla for their next car.
Even with a few bumps along the way, the overall Tesla ownership experience leaves such a strong impression that it is hard to imagine going back. In the end, Tesla has built more than just a car company. It has built a passionate community of drivers who feel like they are part of something meaningful and don’t want to be told what to do. For many, that feeling alone is worth staying.
Please Drop Your Thoughts in the Comments Below
What was the biggest adjustment you faced when switching from a gas-powered car to an EV?
What was the “aha” moment when you realized your Tesla or EV was different from any car you had driven before?
Chris Johnston is the author of SAE’s comprehensive book on electric vehicles, “The Arrival of The Electric Car.” His coverage on Torque News focuses on electric vehicles. Chris has decades of product management experience in telematics, mobile computing, and wireless communications. Chris has a B.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA. He lives in Seattle. When not working, Chris enjoys restoring classic wooden boats, open water swimming, cycling and flying (as a private pilot). You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and follow his work on X at ChrisJohnstonEV.
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Source: torquenews.com
