Today marks Scarlett’s 3rd birthday. We took delivery on February 10, 2018. And this is, actually, kind of a bittersweet birthday. Bittersweet largely because while our Model 3 was (and is) cutting edge as far as technology and features, it has graduated to the commonplace.
When we took delivery, we were in the first 6,300 Model 3s manufactured in the US and only the second Model 3 in Eugene. We could only get the premium interior, single motor, rear wheel drive with the long range battery (really glad we did that!). And being in that early grouping, whenever we’d pass 12 year old boys or even many adults, we’d get stares. And wide eyes. We often could see those boys mouthing “Tesla!”
When we’d meet another Model 3, we’d flash the peace sign or wave. It was this early-adopter kind of club. But then, something happened.
Tesla became mainstream. Not that it is a bad thing. Transitioning to electric vehicles is happening (like it or not) and it is happening fast. The EV market share in the US is increasing logarithmically from under 1% in 2016 to over 2% in 2020 and an estimate 20% in 2030. In mid-2020, the Tesla Model 3 was the best selling automobile in California. Among ALL new cars sold. Gas or electric.
Now, when we meet another Tesla, there is rarely the peace sign. And the 12 year old boys are mostly indifferent. I can’t remember the last time someone walked up to me in a parking lot and asked “is that a Tesla?”
But there is that quiet satisfaction that we are making a difference in the environment. That we are helping transition our culture to EVs. That we are saving a boat-load of money on fuel and maintenance, too.
Happy birthday, Scarlett! You are growing up and maturing.
And so is our culture.