Not a big fan of subsidies myself. But while the government is subsidizing other private businesses I am not going to get bent out of shape over any single subsidy more than others.
But since you are a fan of EVs, and want to see wider adoption, you
should get bent out of shape over this subsidy.
1) It casts a negative light on EVS - others can (and do) use it as a target and an example of why EVS can't 'make it on their own merits', etc.
2) Subsidies can actually slow adoption.
3) It is a lost opportunity - I would think you would/should be upset about this. Let's focus on this one:
I can't imagine that a single Tesla Roadster owner made a go/no-go decision based on a $7,500 rebate for a $109,000 car. If a few did, I'm sure there were other buyers in line to replace them. So that is (roughly) 2,000 * $7,500 = $15 million dollars in lost opportunity to date. Money that didn't do squat to promote EVs, but just handed out to rich people buying rich people toys. If we were to subsidize the EV industry, wouldn't it make a LOT more sense to invest $15 million directly into battery research? Battery performance is the big RED X, not whether a manufacturer makes a few incremental sales because of a rebate.
The Model S is in a $57-$98,000 price range. Again, not exactly the area where the typical buyer is looking through his/her bank account to see if they can scrape up that last $7,500. More lost opportunuity.
If anything, Tesla should be able to offer the subsidy as needed, and reserve the 250,000 unit limit to use later. If/when they come out with a $30,000 model, well then a $7,500 subsidy could actually affect sales in a meaningful way. They might use up their subsidy before they reach that price point. But for people buying the car largely to make a statement, or just because they want one for the technology, I don't think $7,500 is a deal maker or breaker. It's a gift.
to ziggy's comments: two wrongs don't make a right. And let's not forget that EVs won't be paying those gas taxes to support the roads they drive on. Another gift.
-ERD50