This was dumb money the federales spent but anyone who knows anything about start ups knows that most of them fail.
But the ones that succeed can wipe out all the losses plus create fabulous wealth for investors.
For example, while Fisker failed, Tesla has a very good chance of being successful. Now the loan they got from the federales may well have been appropriated under bush. What’s more Tesla has already paid off the government loan.
However, right now Tesla has a very good chance of succeeding. The success of Tesla would have incredible significance for the price of oil. If it happens that would be a decade or two off yet however.
$250 bbl oil would probably do it.