Why Is A Baywatch Star Weighing In On EV Technology?

PBS has published an interview with a former Baywatch star about electric cars on its website.

            Alexandra Paul, who is described on the site as “an activist” and former star of the television program, comes off as fairly knowledgeable in the interview about her penchant for EVs. “Here is my advice,” she says in the interview. “If you are a two-car family, then use the EV for most of your driving and the gas car when you have to go farther. If you only want one car and your commute is 100 miles or less, then rent a car for those times you go on long trips.”

            Paul joins a long list of stars who’ve weighed on electric vehicles. The list includes such celebrities as Martin Sheen, Ed Begley Jr., Phyllis Diller, Mel Gibson, Ralph Nader, David Letterman, George Clooney, Matt Damon and Tom Hanks, among many others.

            I have to admit, I’m baffled by this phenomenon. Why do EV proponents constantly trot out Hollywood stars to make their points about electric cars? If anything, I would think most Americans of ordinary means are less inclined to consider an electric vehicle when a wealthy star extols its virtues.

What Americans really want to hear is that EVs are becoming more affordable and practical. When it comes time to hand over a pile of cash, I don’t think they care about George Clooney, Tom Hanks, or Alexandra Paul.