Charlotte removes Tesla from the list of approved city vehicles

Charlotte City Council Votes to Remove Tesla from Approved Manufacturers

The Charlotte City Council in North Carolina has decided to remove Tesla from its list of approved car manufacturers, citing safety concerns as the primary reason. This decision was made during a meeting on Monday, led by Councillor Lawana Mayfield, who has advocated for this change for several weeks.

The vote saw a majority of the council, which includes nine Democrats among its members, support the removal with a tally of 6-3. This comes as the city plans to purchase 45 electric vehicles.

“When we’re spending hundreds of thousands of dollars and putting employees in these vehicles, we must think about the investments we’re making on behalf of our citizens,” Mayfield said, according to reports.

Mayfield emphasized that the issue isn’t solely about the company’s owner but also about the multiple lawsuits linked to safety problems and various concerns surrounding the product itself.

On the other hand, Republican Ed Driggs, who voted against the removal, expressed that this action could create a risky precedent, suggesting it was a move driven by reasons unrelated to cost or performance. He mentioned, “We already have Teslas in our fleet,” and noted that consumer data indicates Teslas are among the safest vehicles concerning recalls.

Other vendors still on the approved list include local Chevrolet and Ford dealerships, Alamo Rent-a-Car, and Hyundai’s construction division.

Dimple Azimella, a Democrat, alongside Republicans Edwin Peacock and Driggs, opposed the council’s move. Meanwhile, Democrats Dante Anderson, Malcolm Gaham, Victoria Watlington, Tiawana Brown, and Renee Johnson supported Mayfield’s initiative.