At the moment, there seems to be literally no concern over Tesla’s ability to repay the loan, except maybe from you. Tesla has committed to the lenders to paying the loan off early as cash flow permits, and has publicly stated their intent to do just that.
I should think you would not be worried about affordability unless you want to buy one - but considering you hostility to the very idea of electric cars, I doubt that is your intent. But why are you concerned about other people’s buying decisions?
A waste of taxpayer’s money. I doubt that will be the case if your only concern is whether or not the loan will be repaid. My position is that the government has no business investing in private concerns regardless of whether the investment is a good one or a bad one. It’s just totally inappropriate, period. That includes direct investment, loan guarantees, I don’t care. Making investments in favored industries is not one of the enumerated powers. End of story.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the electric power plant situation, we’re already adapted. This is something I have a great deal of familiarity with having been in the business. Eventually, new capacity will be built, despite the environmental nutcases we have in this country who have wormed themselves into positions of influence. You are about right on your power plant timetable. ten years for design and construction is now the norm, even for a coal or oil fired plant. Dams and nuclear are a century, maybe. It’s a problem, agreed, but the link you are trying to make to electric cars is tenuous. It’s just not realistic.
Just my opinion, but it would have made sense for the feds to partner with an existing car company. That way they didn't have to reinvent the wheel. Pun intended. Existing supplier, existing and reusable parts, existing supply chain. Maybe they did that already with the volt. BTW, the volt is a heck of a lot more affordable and we know how much of a flop that has been.
Sorry — been fooled once before with solyndra. You'd think that the feds would be more cautious but they are “who cares it isn't their money.” A half a billion here a half a billion there. A situation that all VCs would to have — unlimited money and no risk. I could be wrong but I think that we agree here.
Why is it my business? Because I am a forced investor — I am a taxpayer!
BTW, I own a hybrid. And I considered the business side of it. Unlikely that I will make the ROI. But a hybrid is a heck of a lot more compelling than an electric car.
Power availability. Which state do you live in? CA had rolling black outs not too long ago. And during the summer capacity is at maximum. Here in CO, that is the case too. Okay, you can plug your car into the grid at night but according to the experts, the night time is when the grid resets since demand is less. Plug millions of loads into the grid at night and the grid doesn't have a chance to reset.
So two things are a must if all electric cars are to survive:
1. They have to be affordable. Not going to have much benefit if only 0.1% of consumers buy them.
2. Power availability. Both in charging stations and available power.
The Tesla offers none of the above and is only a taxpayer funded, ridiculously expensive, cool wizzy toy.
Just my opinion, but it would have made sense for the feds to partner with an existing car company. That way they didn't have to reinvent the wheel. Pun intended. Existing supplier, existing and reusable parts, existing supply chain. Maybe they did that already with the volt. BTW, the volt is a heck of a lot more affordable and we know how much of a flop that has been.
Sorry — been fooled once before with solyndra. You'd think that the feds would be more cautious but they are “who cares it isn't their money.” A half a billion here a half a billion there. A situation that all VCs would to have — unlimited money and no risk. I could be wrong but I think that we agree here.
Why is it my business? Because I am a forced investor — I am a taxpayer!
BTW, I own a hybrid. And I considered the business side of it. Unlikely that I will make the ROI. But a hybrid is a heck of a lot more compelling than an electric car.
Power availability. Which state do you live in? CA had rolling black outs not too long ago. And during the summer capacity is at maximum. Here in CO, that is the case too. Okay, you can plug your car into the grid at night but according to the experts, the night time is when the grid resets since demand is less. Plug millions of loads into the grid at night and the grid doesn't have a chance to reset.
So two things are a must if all electric cars are to survive:
1. They have to be affordable. Not going to have much benefit if only 0.1% of consumers buy them.
2. Power availability. Both in charging stations and available power.
The Tesla offers none of the above and is only a taxpayer funded, ridiculously expensive, cool wizzy toy.