It is unfortunate considering that enthusiasm moves the world that so few enthusiasts can be trusted to speak the truth.
It was used for decades to describe talented computer enthusiasts people whose skill at using computers to solve technical problems and puzzles was - and is - respected and admired by others possessing similar technical skills.
Switching over to a hybrid car is one of those right things but unfairly or not it still has a reputation among car enthusiasts as something you have to pedal really fast when you're on the ramp merging into traffic on the 401.