According to an NPR article, new registrations for electric vehicles have shot up over 250% over the last five years. And certain states, such as California and New York, are planning to phase out gas cars by 2035 altogether. Now, if we’re talking about electric vehicles, one brand that immediately comes to mind is Tesla. Although the company has had a challenging quarter— largely due to supply chain issues— it remains a symbol of status today. In fact, a New York Times feature explained how owning a Tesla communicates the perfect balance of wealth and care for fossil fuels.
We don’t find it surprising, then, to see many famous individuals driving electric vehicles of their own. Below, we’ve listed five that are worth noting:
1. Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio has attained multiple accolades for his films. With an Academy Award and three Golden Globe Awards under his belt, it’s clear that the actor is outstanding at his craft. In the movie The Great Gatsby, DiCaprio’s character was seen driving a 1929 Duesenberg through Long Island.
Real life doesn’t imitate art, though. Instead of a luxury motorized vehicle, the actor is a long-standing advocate for electric cars. DiCaprio first bought a Toyota Prius in 2021. In 2008, he bought the Tesla Roadster for roughly $1 million. One notable addition to his electric fleet is the rare Fisker Karma sports car, which combines hybrid and electric features.
2. Daniel Negreanu
If you closely follow poker tournaments, chances are you’ve heard of Daniel Negreanu. Arguably one of the most illustrious poker players of all time, he’s won six bracelets at the famous World Series of Poker. Coupled with his two titles from the World Poker Tour, he has more than $42 million in live tournament cashes. He’s also known as quite the celebrity as he’s often seen in charity poker events and was even inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2017.
Aside from supporting charities, Negreanu is also well-known as a vegan. It’s no surprise that he owns a Tesla as well. In 2013, he first bought a red Tesla Model S, only upgrading to a Model X in 2018. In a recent Twitter post, however, Negreanu announced that he purchased the latest 2022 Model S version with updated exterior and interior styling.
3. Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. is an all-around performer— his skills in acting, dancing, and singing proves his versatility. He cemented his brilliance in the industry very early on in his career with films such as Less Than Zero and Chaplin. His most well-loved role, however, is his character as Iron Man (or Tony Stark) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Though Tony Stark primarily used the Audi R8 throughout the first Iron Man movie, Robert Downey Jr. owns the Audi E-Tron GT in real life. What’s great about the Audi E-Tron GT is that it can go from a 5% to 80% charge in roughly 23 minutes. The model also has exemplary launch control, boosting the power to attain up to 522 horsepower.
4. Beyoncé
Beyoncé has shown her diversity as a singer time and again. She has the most Grammy nominations and wins among all female artists in the industry today. With her albums producing record-breaking sales, it doesn’t come as a shock that Beyoncé has cultivated an impressive collection of luxury cars. Though her most expensive one is the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, we’re particularly more invested in her Tesla.
The powerhouse singer previously posted a photo of her husband admiring their new purchase— the Tesla Model S— on her Tumblr account. The Model S was first launched in 2012 and was known to be agile due to its 416 horsepower. It also featured a versatile hatchback design and promised zero tailpipe emissions.
5. Justin Bieber
Following his first hit single, “One Time,” Justin Bieber’s full-length album My World 2.0 debuted on the Billboard album chart as number one. Since then, the singer’s fame has been steadily growing. With over a decade of experience, Bieber has gotten several recognitions from the Grammy Awards, Brit Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.
Along with his large following and equally striking fortune (his net worth is currently at $285 million), the singer also has an extensive car collection. Despite the presence of exotic cars like the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Aventador, perhaps his most interesting one is the rare all-chrome Fisker Karma. Fisker Karma is one of the world’s first luxury plug-in cars. As it includes two modes, the car can run on either a turbocharged Ecotec or electric lithium-ion battery motors.