This is very US centric way of looking at it. This whole hero story about Tesla might be required to push US market but would it matter to EU or China? It's very likely market would transition to EVs because of environment/economics probably even in similar pace.

In EU environment movement is very strong especially in the rich countries. BYD is company from 95. They have been leading up to this for 30 years. If you take out the theatrics... it's actually China/BYD who are pushing everyone (especially EU carmakers) to EVs. If anything Tesla is on a trajectory of remembered as a one of car industry biggest disasters and wasted potentials.

Leaf captured enough of the mind of the people that it took until early 2020 for Tesla's cumulative number of cars sold to surpass Leaf's.