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Arnold Schwarzenegger Goes Undercover, Urges You to Go Electric in New Ad

No matter the kind of disguise he puts on himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger sticks out like a sore thumb. Anything about him is instantly recognizable, from his voice and accent, to his broad chest and his laugh.
Arnold Schwarzenegger in disguise for new ad urging for larger adoption of EVs 27 photos
Photo: YouTube / Arnold Schwarzenegger
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So it’s hilarious to see him attempt to fool people looking to buy an electric or hybrid car. This is the newest ad in partnership with California non-profit Veloz, which is a consortium of over 40 carmakers, government agencies, advocacy groups and utility companies that encourage the switch from gas and diesel vehicles to EVs.

The ad, Kicking Gas, was shot in Burbank, California at a car dealership and sees Schwarzenegger take on the persona of sales manager Howard Kleiner. It plays out like an episode of Punkd, but there’s no telling how much of it is legit and how much is scripted.

Schwarzenegger is sporting a fake mustache, a hilariously bad wig and your grandpa’s favorite Hawaiian shirt, and he’s there to tell potential customers that nothing in the world – and we mean, absolutely nothing! - beats driving a gas car.

He’s telling people that pumping gas is more satisfying than even sex, that driving a Hummer will instantly earn the driver street cred (which is better than tax credit) and that the noise of a gasoline-powered engine will impress the neighbors. The customers’ reactions are what helps deliver the message of the ad: the world is tired of all this, it’s ready for something quiet, cheaper and more environmentally-friendly.

“Electric cars save money, time, and the environment, without sacrificing any of the fun and excitement of driving,”
Schwarzenegger says at the end of the ad. He’s still in character, though, trying to flip a large sign that advertises the incredible sale of gas vehicles, but the reality of the situation is starting to dawn on him. At long last.

Here it is.

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About the author: Elena Gorgan
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Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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