Over 8,000 Objections Filed Against Tesla’s UK Energy Supply Bid

More than 8,000 individuals have formally requested that Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, reject Tesla‘s application to supply electricity to British households. The objections stem from concerns regarding owner Elon Musk and his “clear political agenda,” which critics believe could influence essential services in the country.

Tesla submitted its licence application last month, aiming to begin providing electricity to homes and businesses across England, Scotland, and Wales as early as 2026. This move has sparked significant backlash due to Musk’s political affiliations, including his support for Donald Trump and far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose views have raised alarms among the public.

Campaign group Best for Britain has been vocal in its opposition, urging citizens to express their concerns to Ofgem. The group argues that Musk does not meet the standards of a “fit and proper” person to manage critical infrastructure. Naomi Smith, the chief executive of Best for Britain, stated, “We’ve all had a front row seat to Musk’s malign influence, turning Twitter into an incubator for right-wing hate… British people are rightly against Musk being anywhere near our electricity supply.”

Individuals have until this Friday to submit their objections, after which Ofgem will determine whether to grant Tesla the necessary licence. The public response has been strong, with approximately 8,462 objections lodged through Best for Britain’s online tool.

Tesla, already involved in the UK energy market since 2020, holds a licence to operate as an electricity generator. The company has sold over a quarter of a million electric vehicles and tens of thousands of home storage batteries in the UK. Tesla’s expansion into the energy supply sector could disrupt the current market.

Electric vehicle expert Jordan Marsden commented on X, stating, “Look out Octopus, Elon is coming for you. Given the cost of the Tesla Supercharger networks, could we be about to see cheaper energy prices?” Marsden noted that Tesla operates an energy supply business in Texas, providing customers with access to cheaper off-peak electricity and the ability to sell surplus solar and battery power back to the grid.

The application to Ofgem was submitted by Andrew Payne, director of Tesla’s energy business in Europe. With the formal request now in progress, the potential for Tesla to reshape the UK energy landscape is on the horizon. The company has been hinting at this move for the past two years, positioning itself to deepen its ecosystem in the energy sector.

As the deadline for public comments approaches, the outcome of Tesla’s application remains uncertain, with significant public sentiment leaning against the billionaire entrepreneur’s aspirations in the UK’s essential services.