Elon Musk, once the poster boy of electric vehicles and California’s clean energy movement, has recently made a surprising political shift — but critics say it might be too little, too late. After years of distancing himself from California’s climate agenda and moving Tesla’s headquarters to Texas, Musk is now actively advocating for electric vehicle (EV) tax credits and government support. His sudden turnaround comes as California’s once-booming EV market begins to show signs of slowing, and as Chinese EV makers threaten Tesla’s dominance.

For years, Musk resisted lobbying for traditional EV incentives and had a complicated relationship with Democrats and environmentalists. His focus leaned more toward deregulation, and he often criticized what he saw as government overreach. Now, however, Musk is pushing Congress and the Biden administration to revise tax credit rules to benefit more Tesla buyers — particularly those purchasing the popular Model 3.

California lawmakers and climate advocates are skeptical. They argue that Musk’s voice would have carried far more weight had he backed EV policy during critical legislative battles over the past few years. Some see his late advocacy as self-serving, especially now that Tesla faces real competition and its growth is slowing. “It feels like Musk is only speaking up now that it’s affecting his bottom line,” said one Sacramento official.

The irony is hard to miss: Musk, who once mocked the political process and called out “woke” California policies, now finds himself trying to influence those very same structures. His recent split with Donald Trump — over disagreements on federal spending and immigration — only adds to the drama. As Musk distances himself from MAGA circles and tries to rebrand, questions arise about his true motivations.

In the end, while Musk’s influence remains strong, it’s unclear whether California — and Washington — will welcome his sudden re-entry into the policy arena. For many, his voice is still powerful, but it may have arrived just after the window of opportunity closed.