Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been accused of expressing direct views on British politics. He has also previously predicted civil war in the UK and criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
But behind the scenes, Tesla was trying to convince the UK government to adopt a policy that would help the company increase its profits.
The BBC reported on Wednesday night that the country's government has introduced subsidies to boost sales of electric cars in the UK. But electric car maker Tesla has proposed to the British government that the money the government pays for electric cars be collected from buyers of petrol and diesel trucks and large vehicles.
“People still deciding to buy polluting new vehicles should be asked to pay more,” Tesla's European chief Joe Ward wrote in a letter to UK Roads Minister Lillian Greenwood.
The letter was released by electric car newsletter The Fast Charge through a Freedom of Information request. The letter praised the Labor Party's policies for decarbonisation of the energy system by 2030, growth and net zero on behalf of Tesla.
But weeks after sending the letter, Musk publicly attacked the British government over the summer riots in Britain.
Last September, the BBC reported that Elon Musk was not invited to a British government investment conference. Such a decision was made because of political interference in the UK.
The UK government is reportedly currently consulting on a policy change designed to encourage sales of electric cars. The 'Zero Emission Vehicle' policy requires automakers to sell a certain number of electric vehicles each year.
If they fail to meet their targets, they will have to buy credits from other electric car makers.
UK carmakers are pushing for the policy to be relaxed, arguing that consumers are not yet buying electric cars in sufficient numbers.
Meanwhile, Tesla's letter says that the zero emission vehicle policy should be preserved and strengthened.
Tesla could be a big beneficiary of this policy. Because they will be able to sell additional credits for electric cars imported from China.
