It's not. It's just patronizing one-size-fits-all security tunnel-visioners doing their patronizing one-size-fits-all security tunnel-vision thing.
I myself recently purchased a Prius Prime (plugin hybrid) and it's been fantastic. 1000 miles on the first tank and $32 to fill it. My driving pattern means that 3 days a week, I'll burn a few miles worth of fuel. But otherwise, I'm electric. I like that I can charge it up overnight on a standard 120v outlet and didn't need any new wiring or installing a charger. I like that I'll never have range anxiety and I can always just drive it as a very efficient gas vehicle.
In my experience that solves the issue. It’s not the most mobile friendly but workable and my go-to regardless.
The VPN is one of the few reasons why I pay $5 for proton unlimited and I could make do without it.
My only alternative is to set up my own wireguard exit node at home with a raspberry