Legendary rocker Neil Young debuted a fiery new song, “Let’s Roll Again,” at a Los Angeles benefit concert on April 26, 2025, taking aim at Elon Musk and Tesla with politically charged lyrics. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Young’s performance at the Autism Speaks’ Light Up the Blues event criticized Musk’s Tesla while advocating for sustainable American manufacturing in the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

A Song with a Message for EV Enthusiasts

Young, a longtime advocate for clean energy, used his platform to call out Tesla’s leadership and the broader American automotive industry. The song opens with a rallying cry: “Come on Ford, come on GM/ Come on Chrysler, let’s roll again.” But the sharpest jab came later: “If you’re a fascist, get a Tesla/ It’s electric, it doesn’t matter.” Young paired this with a closing lyric aimed at political divides, singing, “If you’re a Democrat, taste your freedom/ Get whatever you want, taste your freedom.” These lines reflect Young’s frustration with Tesla’s dominance and Musk’s controversial public persona, while urging U.S. automakers to reclaim leadership in EV production.

Neil Young’s History with Electric Vehicles

Young’s passion for sustainable tech isn’t new. In 2008, he launched LincVolt Technology to retrofit gas-powered vehicles with clean energy alternatives. That same year, he unveiled a 1959 Lincoln Continental converted to run on electric batteries and a biodiesel generator, showcasing it at San Francisco’s Dreamforce conference. He later adapted a Mercedes-Benz and a Hummer to run on vegetable oil, proving his commitment to practical EV solutions. Young’s efforts highlight a key challenge in the EV industry: while Tesla leads with over 50% of U.S. EV market share in 2024, American manufacturers like Ford and GM are playing catch-up, with Ford’s Mustang Mach-E and GM’s Chevrolet Bolt trailing in sales.

Industry Implications: A Call for American Innovation

Young’s song underscores a critical issue for the EV sector—China’s growing dominance. “China’s way ahead, they’re making clean cars,” he sang, pointing to BYD’s 2024 sales of 3.05 million EVs globally, surpassing Tesla’s 1.81 million. This gap has economic stakes: U.S. jobs in EV manufacturing lag as China controls over 60% of global battery production. For EV owners and enthusiasts, Young’s message resonates emotionally—supporting American-made EVs could mean more local jobs and innovation, like Ford’s planned $5 billion investment in its Tennessee BlueOval City plant by 2026, aiming to produce 500,000 EVs annually.

EVXL’s Take: A Wake-Up Call with a Beat

At EVXL, we hear Young’s lyrics as more than a diss track—they’re a wake-up call. Tesla’s innovation has driven the EV revolution, but Young’s right to push for competition. Imagine if Ford or GM took the lead, building EVs with the grit and heart of a classic rock anthem. For EV owners, this isn’t just about politics—it’s about range, reliability, and pride in driving American-made. Young’s song reminds us that the road to a sustainable future doesn’t have to be a solo ride for Tesla. Let’s see if Detroit can crank up the volume and roll again.

Photo courtesy of Billy Shiverstick / Wikipedia