Sen. Mark Kelly replaced his electric vehicle with a brand-new, gas-powered SUV.
Up until last week, Kelly drove a Tesla. Kelly said the vehicle’s founder and CEO, Elon Musk, prompted him to get rid of his Tesla — though in his announcement on X, Kelly didn’t disclose his choice of replacement vehicle.
“When I bought this thing, I didn’t think it was going to become a political issue. Every time I get in this car in the last 60 days or so, it reminds me of just how much damage Elon Musk and Donald Trump is doing to our country. Talking about slashing Social Security, cutting healthcare benefits for poor people, for seniors; it’s one bad thing after the next,” said Kelly. “Elon Musk kind of turned out to be an asshole, and I don’t want to be driving a car built and designed by an asshole.”
I bought a Tesla because it was fast like a rocket ship. But now every time I drive it, I feel like a rolling billboard for a man dismantling our government and hurting people. So Tesla, you’re fired!
New ride coming soon. pic.twitter.com/N4Anmsi6cH
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) March 14, 2025
Musk heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a significant source of ire for the Democrats.
On his first day in office, President Donald Trump established DOGE by restructuring the United States Digital Service within the Executive Office. DOGE’s focus is on “identifying/eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse” within the federal government, per its website. Executive orders 14158, 14170, 14210, 14219, and 14222 established and laid the framework of DOGE authority. Under DOGE, federal agencies have sustained mass layoffs, performed data disclosures, and eliminated millions in funding eliminations.
Kelly arrived for Senate voting on Friday in a 2025 Chevy Tahoe Z71, a spokesperson told Business Insider. Kelly’s new ride not only uses gas — it’s one of the least gas-efficient models on the market. The Chevy Tahoe Z71 runs about 15 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city, 20 mpg on the highway, and 17 mpg combined.
Kelly didn’t say whether his purchase was also influenced by a faltering belief in the climate crisis or an anticipation of an improving economy under President Donald Trump.
The senator campaigned on climate change last year and in 2022 to boost young voter turnout.
The consequences of tomorrow’s election will be felt by young people far longer than folks my age.
These students at ASU get that, and that’s why they’re voting for @KamalaHarris and @RubenGallego to protect abortion rights, fight climate change, and move our country forward. pic.twitter.com/OapQ3fdiug
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) November 4, 2024
One of my daughters went to @UArizona and the other to @ASU, so I know the rivalry is real.
But I also know something students from both can agree on: Arizona deserves a senator who will fight for abortion rights, stand up to big corporations, and believes in climate change. pic.twitter.com/Yp0gHdO5rb
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) October 18, 2022
Tesla is far from the only electric vehicle car on the market, and Chevy also makes electric models (Blazer, Bolt, Equinox, and Silverado). Most car brands have gone electric or newly emerged as electric: Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Lucid, Maserati, Mercedes, Mini Countryman, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Rivian, Rolls-Royce, Subaru, Toyota, VinFast, Volkswagen, and Volvo.
There are also a number of 2025 electric SUV models available with equivalent or lower MSRPs than the 2025 Chevy Tahoe Z71, by Chevy and other makers: Audi, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, and Volvo.
Chevy also has other, more efficient 2025 gas-powered SUVs: the Trailblazer with its 31 mpg combined fuel economy, and the Trax with its 30 mpg combined fuel economy.
Other 2025 gas-powered SUVs have up to over double the combined fuel economy of Kelly’s new ride. Among them are the Ford Escape (39 mpg), Nissan Rogue (33 mpg), Hyundai Kona (31 mpg), Kia Seltos (31 mpg), Nissan Kicks (31 mpg), Hyundai Venue (31 mpg), Honda CR-V (30 mpg), Buick Envista (30 mpg), and Buick Encore GX (30 mpg).
Like Kelly’s former ride, Chevy manufactures its Tahoes in Texas.
Gotta love that while Mark Kelly was trading in his Tesla, Elon Musk was flying into space to save Kelly’s fellow astronauts who were abandoned by Joe Biden’s autopen.
— Kate Hyde (@KateHydeNY) March 16, 2025