Tesla gets $295M in cap & trade-type credits for technology not offered to customers

watchdog.org ^ | July 23, 2015 | Tori Richards

[jazusamo]

Tesla Motors has earned more than $295 million in state cap and trade-type emission credits during the past three years for a battery-swapping technology customers weren’t getting, a Watchdog investigation reveals.

In fact, the electric car company, owned in part by billionaire Elon Musk, may have earned credits up to nearly half a billion dollars in value from the 11 states that use the Zero Emission Vehicle barter as part of a green auto industry mandate. California created the program and leads the pack, doling out $173 million in credits to the Silicon Valley-based Tesla.

Tesla claimed the credits between 2012 and mid-2014 — part of a program designed to encourage the carmaker to promote its new battery-swap technology. The program did not require evidence the company actually provided the service.

“What they were getting (the credits) for was the demonstration that they had a workable technology. And they do,” said Dave Clegern, spokesman for the California Air Resources Board. “It was demonstrated (by Telsa). They had it at a Tesla facility in California; we went there and saw it.”

That demonstration was in 2012 , the same year Tesla started selling its Model S sedan. For each car Telsa sold, it received four ZEV credits plus an additional three credits for being part of a rapid refueling program. Each credit is worth about $4,000 , Watchdog found.

But even a state agency has limited patience. CARB re-evaluated its program and decided to yank the extra three credits last summer when it discovered that Tesla wasn’t providing the technology to its customers.

[jazusamo]

Entire article worth the read.

[sparklite2]

I like Tesla, love the car and its promise, but if it can’t survive without government subsidies, it’s no better than Amtrak.

[jazusamo]

The millions collected from this battery change out so far is a scam by Tesla or CARB or both, in my view.

[Osage Orange]

Just another Solyndra.....

http://dailycaller.com/2012/10/30/as-many-as-fifty-obama-backed-green-energy-companies-bankrupt-or-troubled/

[Vince Ferrer]

For those who want to blame Tesla, yes Tesla is designed first and foremost to take advantage of as many tax freebies as possible. Same with SolarCity. But it was the various governments that came up with these giveaways, and forced the taxpayers to pay for them. It needs to be fixed at the government level. Once again, the lilly whites, who are most of the customers, have devised a way to profit by rewiring public money to benefit themselves.

[jazusamo]

Basically I agree with you. However on this battery change out Tesla is dirty also in my view.

This phony test station at Harris Ranch was an after thought by Tesla after CARB woke up.

[jazusamo]

Please bump the Freepathon or click above to donate or become a monthly donor!

[WayneS]

The program did not require evidence the company actually provided the service.

The designer(s) of this program should be put before a firing squad.

[WayneS]

I agree 100%.

All forms of corporate welfare should be halted immediately.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

The problem is not with Tesla. The Air Resources Board is corrupt to the core.

[ArGee]

So, wait. You’re telling me that although I disagree with Obamacare I should go ahead and apply for a subseidy and take it if I get it? If I do that I won’t have done anything hypocritical? It will all be the government’s fault for making it available?

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

No, I didn’t say that but I don’t put the blame on the people that did take the subsidies. I place the blame on the corrupt politicians.