[ro-_-b]

The one thing I don't get is that everybody assumes there is unlimited demand for Tesla cars, Tesla just needs to be able to produce. But realistically, let's assume that in 1-2 years government subsidies will end then how many people will still want an EV for a price tag of minimum 30k & can afford it? All that Tesla produces are cars for the premium segment despite some mass market rhetoric.

[saagarjha]

Does Tesla still qualify for large government subsidies? I thought they had ran through their allocation long ago.

[svet_0]

They did mostly in US, there are still some significant subsidies in European and Asian countries. Regardless I believe demand for EVs will explode in the next decade and Tesla's challenges will stay in production, not in demand.

[alphabettsy]

In the US they have. Some state governments still have them.

[rconti]

It's like you haven't done your homework. The most surprising thing to me over the past year is how strong demand has remained, as subsidies phased out. All 3 of my Model 3 referrals, in fact, happened in Q4 of 2019, and all from friends saying "hey, I'm gonna buy a Tesla, don't you have a referral code or something?" It had nothing to do with me talking about the car, or giving them rides, or anything. Just totally out of the blue.

I was one of the many folks who (probably like you?) was thinking, once summer 2018 turned into fall 2018, and Tesla worked through the backlog of Model 3 orders (and the well-publicized cancellations and demand for deposits back) that there wouldn't by much demand left. I guess that shows my blind spots as a car person, I just assumed everyone knew about most new vehicles on the market, and what they had to offer. But their prevalence in the market has only driven demand harder.

[mikeg8]

I think there is a massive market of young people that would love to own a Tesla when they reach the required income level. It’s a green product, from a company with grand ambitions to address climate change, and an incredible car. Everyone I know who has one loves it, and most who get to drive them, wish they had one. It feels like the future, and 30k isn’t a crazy price for the value if offers.

[Marsymars]

As a young(ish) person, what would most interest me in an electric car is essentially an electrified Corolla. I don't derive any value from performance, features, or looks. I care about safety, reliability, range, and cost.

A Model 3 with 500km of range is over triple the price of a Corolla and a Leaf is over double the price in my market - they just don't make financial sense until they drastically drop in price.

[gordon_freeman]

I own a new 2020 Corolla Hybrid and it gives me 58 mpg mileage and cost me $25,000 including all the destination, DMV, etc. charges plus with 3 years of add-on maintenance. Impressive considering when I pay $350 EMI ($0 down-payment on 84 months loan) every month on it and it already saves me about $70 that same month on gas compared to my previous car. So overall the Adj EMI would be just $280.

[ProZsolt]

> there is a massive market of young people that would love to own a Tesla when they reach the required income level.

I'm one of them. If I would be on the market for a car it would be a Tesla, but I most likely never will never own one. It's a great car, green, geeky and the performance is superb, but I much prefer to use public transportation when getting around. Most of my friends (age ~30) with disposable income just don't want a car. We live in cities in Europe where public transportation is good enough. Owning a car is just a burden if you would only use it for weekend getaways.

The people who live in the countryside where you need a car for day-to-day life just can't afford it.

[Someone]

”It’s a green product”

‘Green’ also depends on how you use it. One can argue that, for many use cases, those cars are way too big and heavy to be called ‘green’.

[TacticalTable]

I'm absolutely in this boat. I don't drive enough to justify a 45k expense (after options), but if I were driving more I absolutely would. Considering I live in a city with almost no public transportation, it's basically guaranteed if I can't walk to work anymore.

[RickJWagner]

I'm solidly middle-aged (mid-50s) and I would love to own a Tesla. Not for the green creds (which are still nice) but for the performance.

I'll take a dual-motor version with a big battery, please!

[rorykoehler]

Personally I'm planning to get a VW buzz once they're released

[bryanlarsen]

There are basically two options:

- high demand for EV cars

- the world is screwed

It looks like the world is going to choose number 2.

If subsidies end they are going to have to be replaced by something else. A carbon tax is the best option, but strict fuel economy standards like Europe has is also an option.

[bfieidhbrjr]

My God, you're right! Nobody has ever thought about that, or Googled it, let's short TSLA immediately!

I wish I could respond nicely, maybe it's been too long of a day.