[maxbond]

Sure, if they go into someone's garage as part of a collection, that's carbon positive (due to all the emissions to manufacture it and the lack of savings as it sits in a garage). Emissions are only potentially saved if it's frequently used and offsets an ICE vehicle that would have been used otherwise.

[wilg]

Yeah obviously. But is there any reason to think that is happening with brand new EVs? In such a way that would matter for this tax credit. No.

[robswc]

Sometimes I feel like people really overestimate the number of "rich people" and also attribute cartoonish behavior to them.

I highly doubt the average Tesla owner (or luxury EV car, for that matter) is 1) so rich they buy it as a "collectible" and/or 2) don't drive it enough to justify subsidy

[maxbond]

That wasn't really the question though was it? The question was, is there a reason why rich people might be less desirable subsidy targets than other people. I have known several wealthy people with car collections, not like Jay Leno style collections but collections nonetheless.

[wilg]

OK, sure, but it’s sort of derailing the discussion by focusing on this absurd hypothetical that we have no reason to think is true. The context is a $7500 tax cut with an income cap. Does it seem likely that removing that cap would cause a meaningful number rich people to sequester their EVs. Also, even if they did, it still helps build out the infrastructure for EV manufacturing.

[maxbond]

You asked a question and I responded to it. If you didn't like the direction that took the conversation, I understand that, I don't think the conversation went in a good direction either. But I don't think it's fair to put the responsibility for that all on me, if you wanted to take the conversation in a certain direction, you could've either declined to respond to my comment, or indicated in your response what it was you wanted to discuss.

As it was, you engaged with the premise in a dismissive way, and then it became a conversation about dismissing the premise. You had these criticisms about how it still builds EV capacity and such, but you didn't express those, you just said, "no."

It takes two to tango.

[wilg]

I didn't hide my criticism – the main issue with your answer was that there is no reason to think what you mentioned was a real or relevant problem! My first reply was to say this. I responded to your claim and explained why it didn't seem like a good answer.

[robswc]

How many Tesla owners are rich enough to afford it just sitting in their garage?