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...an internal combustion engine is not an inexpensive component, and one can draw a direct comparison between the cost of the engine and the cost of the battery

Totally out of whack comparison.

The EV battery is not the equivalent component of an ICE car's engine. The components that should be compared are the EV motor and the ICE engine. They are the driving forces that use the 'fuels' to get the cars on the road. The comparison that works is the EV battery + charges and the ICE fuel-tank + gasoline. So, it's the EV battery+charge vs the ICE car's fuel-tank+fuel. IN the case of the ICE fuel tank, it hardly ever if ever needs changing, while the EV battery needs to be swapped out after it fails to hold the charges. Apple's vs oranges. Not even close.

Now, when it comes to EVs and the target consumers, the original idea, especially as regards the environmental wackos, was to entice ALL consumers out of their fossil-fueled cars, including even the well-off that could buy the 'luxury' cars. The only reason that Teslas are now in the category of "luxury" is because of their very high price tags, but, equipment-wise and options-wise, even the mid-priced and affordable ICE vehicles are competitively made. For example, I don't know of a luxury that my EV is missing that a Tesla can carry, and I 'only paid' $33,000 for it, and it's still going as good as new after 5+ years, and it still can hold the 'same charge' as when new.

Most EVs being made are not for the luxury market, since their prices are more affordable and some even come with comparable driving range as the Tesla. Then, the hybrid vehicles have the Teslas and any other EV beat when it comes to range and other must have characteristics to appeal to most buyers.

But, I'm not knocking YOUR preferences and I'm not knocking why people want Teslas. But, they are not for the regular consumer and Tesla marketing often makes the mistake of thinking and selling the vehicles as 'affordable' and for the regular consumer and regular family. Not so.

The most expensive component in an EV is the battery, and the most expensive component in an ICE vehicle is the engine—hence, the comparison. An ICE also needs to be rebuilt after some interval, as does an EV’s battery. Tesla warrants the batteries in the S to 125k miles, which is more than the powertrain warranty on any ICE that I am aware of.

I have driven other EVs, including the 500e, i3, i8, and Model 3, and none of them have anything like the level of luxury of the S. Which EV do you own? By the way, my car is a 2013 and the battery holds exactly the same charge as it did when it was new, and it has 65k miles on the clock.

I’m not sure where you have seen ads describing the Tesla as “affordable.” The Model 3 is still currently a $50k car, although the price is supposed to drop to $35k for a base model late this year. The Model 3, though, is definitely an economy car.

May I also point out that you’re griping about high-performance and luxury EVs on a thread about a freakin’ ELECTRIC HARLEY?

People who buy motorcycles, whether ICE or EV, like speed...and risk. People don’t choose motorcycles because they’re more fuel-efficient (at least, not in the USA).