A controversy is brewing after a document obtained by Agence France-Presse revealed that the European Union paid hundreds of millions of euros to companies headed by Elon Musk, as reported by The Hindu.
What's happening?
According to The Hindu, the document shows that the EU paid Tesla €159 million (around $176 million) to build electric vehicle charging stations in 2023.
That year, it also doled out more than €600,000 for advertising on the social platform X before halting publicity amid concerns that Musk — the richest person in the world — was manipulating the social platform to promote his values or opinions to influence European affairs.
Last year, the EU also handed Musk's SpaceX a contract worth roughly $197 million for the European Galileo satellite system amid commission delays for the Ariane 6 launch system.
Why did the payments spark controversy?
Musk's polarizing involvement in the United States federal government and global politics has contributed to strained transatlantic relations. The EU has also said that X, which Musk acquired in 2022, has run afoul of some of its regulations.
In short, the U.S. and the EU have different legal frameworks surrounding data protection and privacy. Arkansas State University explained in a 2020 breakdown of key regulatory differences: "The U.S. favors a bottom-up approach, reflecting states' rights in governing, while the EU likes top-down, which balances intergovernmental and supranational policies."
The EU's Digital Services Act also outlines strict obligations for online intermediaries and platforms to prevent "illegal and harmful activities online and the spread of disinformation."
Last year, the EU said Musk's X violated DSA transparency rules, per CNBC. Musk has fired back by referring to EU digital laws as censorship.
German Green EU lawmaker Daniel Freund wrote to the European Commission in March arguing that the EU shouldn't continue to make payments to the billionaire, per The Hindu.
"This man is an outspoken enemy of the EU and our core values. It is unacceptable that we continue to pay the richest man in the world hundreds of millions," Freund wrote.
TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight
💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands
|
Do you think Tesla's vehicles have lost some of their appeal?
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Definitely 👍 How could this development impact consumers?
Based on the most recent data analyzed by Bankrate, Tesla is Musk's most valuable investment, valued at approximately $1.22 trillion as of February.
However, the company that pioneered modern electric vehicles — coveted among drivers for their lower maintenance and operating costs, as well as their status as cleaner, less polluting modes of transportation — is on shakier-than-usual ground at the outset of 2025.
Tesla failed to meet sales expectations in Q1, experiencing a 13% year-over-year dip in deliveries. The automaker's stocks also took a nosedive. Despite Tesla's troubling start to 2025, consumers shouldn't have to worry about EVs going the way of the dinosaur.
While Musk's political activities contributed to Tesla's slide, with some viewing their support of the brand as giving their seal of approval to Musk, so did growing competition in the EV market.
According to the International Energy Agency, the first three months of 2025 saw EV sales increase by 35% year-over-year. The robust used-EV market is also helping to connect consumers with more affordable EVs, proving to be a win for sellers and buyers alike.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
