Tesla repays federal loan nearly 10 years early

[JohnR! 5,495]

Unless the electricity to charge the cars is coming from Nuclear power plants. I wonder if they take into account all the green houses gasses that are emitted into the atmosphere by the electrical generating power plants that are needed to charge this car's batteries.

It depends where one lives. Electricity can come from hydroelectric, nuclear, geothermal, solar, wind, coal, natural gas, etc. In essence, is some areas electricity is greener than in others.

Also one needs to take into consideration how many miles you get on the charge, how much it cost and the carbon footprint, so that one can compare apples to apples.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I thought this thread was about govt. funded electric cars? Somehow now it's about conservatives?

No, it's about investments into future technologies and tomorrow's economy. That has been the basis for the discussion all along. It's you that wants to bring it down to a $80K car you can't afford.

[Karee 4,191]

Manufacturing will move to China or other low-cost locale as soon as it becomes necessary.

We should ban all manufacturing, that way none of our jobs can move to China.

I think the labor in China is becoming too expensive now. Thnk sub-saharan Africa.

[JohnR! 5,495]

No, it's about investments into future technologies and tomorrow's economy. That has been the basis for the discussion all along. It's you that wants to bring it down to a $80K car you can't afford.

www.teslamotors.com

The Model S begins at 63K...

[Karee 4,191]

No, it's about investments into future technologies and tomorrow's economy. That has been the basis for the discussion all along. It's you that wants to bring it down to a $80K car you can't afford.

I have no problem with $80k cars, $800k cars, or even 8 million dollar cars for that matter. I have a problem with the govt. loaning money we don't have to finance the companies that build them. It's "future technology and tomorrows economy" says who? You? Let the market decide that.

[Harsh_77 718]

Yes, there are a number of things still to be worked out and refined before electric cars can go into large number production which is part of what would bring down the prices eventually. And again, that is what the support for electric car manufacturers is all about - to give them a chance to work these things out. Tesla appears to succeed in that effort.

The data is here: http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric_emissions.php

It is also indisputable that a city filled with electric cars will have a much better air quality than a city filled with gasoline powered cars.

Dude data can be sliced and diced anyway to support ones theory.

First from resource perspective anyone who owns a electric car would also need a conventional car. Electric car at the moment can only be used for city commute beyond that it is worthless.

Pollution perspective either one needs to burn fossil fuel to generate electricity you have your greenhouse gases.

Nuclear power plants there is the nuclear waste.

Mining for lithium also leads to destruction of environment, once the life of batter is over dumping that much lithium is also another problem.

[mota bhai 2,675]

I think the labor in China is becoming too expensive now. Thnk sub-saharan Africa.

Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania once had sizable non-African populations there for economic opportunity. Nice places to live.

[JohnR! 5,495]

First from resource perspective anyone who owns a electric car would also need a conventional car. Electric car at the moment can only be used for city commute beyond that it is worthless.

That is an incorrect assumption.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Tesla is making great cars. They are sexy, fast, sleek and leave nothing to desire, compared to the competition.

motor trend's car of the year.

http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/car/1301_2013_motor_trend_car_of_the_year_tesla_model_s/viewall.html

[Harsh_77 718]

No, it's about investments into future technologies and tomorrow's economy. That has been the basis for the discussion all along. It's you that wants to bring it down to a $80K car you can't afford.

Its not govt's job to float these business.

When the business are failing they come to govt to rescue them but when they are doing good they don't come to govt offering additional tax.

Govt can help them with favorable laws or tax structure but loaning them money is not govts fuction.

That is an incorrect assumption.

Really what do u do when you have to travel beyond 300 miles?

Electric car cannot be just stopped at a gas station and charged in 5 mins.

[mota bhai 2,675]

You buy a new electric car. Problem solved.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Really what do u do when you have to travel beyond 300 miles?

Electric car cannot be just stopped at a gas station and charged in 5 mins.

You plan accordingly.

Both statements you make are unrelated to each other.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I have no problem with $80k cars, $800k cars, or even 8 million dollar cars for that matter. I have a problem with the govt. loaning money we don't have to finance the companies that build them. It's "future technology and tomorrows economy" says who? You? Let the market decide that.

The market has already decided that. Which is why Tesla is in a position to repay the loan a decade ahead of schedule.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Its not govt's job to float these business.

When the business are failing they come to govt to rescue them but when they are doing good they don't come to govt offering additional tax.

Govt can help them with favorable laws or tax structure but loaning them money is not govts fuction.

Really what do u do when you have to travel beyond 300 miles?

Electric car cannot be just stopped at a gas station and charged in 5 mins.

See, here in America, unlike perhaps where you are from, our government has a history of investing in methods of transportation, because of the magnitude it has on the economy. You probably didn't even realize it, but every time you drive in your gas burning car, you are a direct beneficiary of government investment in oil exploration. But hey, if you really are against such investments, go outside and burn your car. Start riding a bicycle ...oh wait, the roads...those roads were also government investment. Dude, you're SOL.

Edited May 23, 2013 by Lincolns mullet

[JohnR! 5,495]

See, here in America, unlike perhaps where you are from, our government has a history of investing in methods of transportation, because of the magnitude it has on the economy. You probably didn't even realize it, but every time you drive in your gas burning car, you are a direct beneficiary of government investment in oil exploration. But hey, if you really are against such investments, go outside and burn your car. Start riding a bicycle ...oh wait, the roads...those roads were also government investment. Dude, your SOL.

Shhhh! You should not wake up a sleepwalker!