A Millennial’s View – Tesla, the “inexpensive” version
[Happy New Year, All!]
Mark, a great friend of our son’s, visited all of us gathered at Christmas. He graduated from college nearly 7 years ago, and now works as a detective for the San Rafael, CA, PD.
Striking up a conversation, Mark told me he’d put down a $1K deposit on a Tesla Model 3.
In the nicest way, as if I might not know about it, he immediately explained that the Model 3 is the “inexpensive” Tesla. Base model, $35K. When I raised an eyebrow, he told me the deposit’s refundable.
“I’m done with gasoline engines,” he said. “They don’t make any sense to me now.” And: “Forget carbon emissions.” No such thing in his EV-dream.
Mark went on to say his number one EV reassurance is Tesla’s increasingly populating network of charging stations US-wide. In 30 minutes the car can be recharged for another 170 miles. He’s willing to be so potentially inconvenienced if he can’t make his destination without recharging. “I need to take a break sometimes anyway.” Stretch. Get a fresh cup of coffee, or some fruit.
Gotta say the Supercharger map of the U.S. looks pretty impressive, checking it online more recently. Also, no more oil changes. In all, less regular maintenance required than for gas/diesel-powered cars.
Did I mention he’s working in predominantly car-dependent CA? Let me speculate that residing in the leading state for greening-anything-‘n-everything offers the effect of thinking critically about the use of finite resources. And, alternative choices.
Mark told me Tesla’s are now being built with the necessary hardware for self-driving, and for any future software upgrades to the technology. He wanted that.
Possibly relocating back east due to insanely costly housing in the Bay Area, he envisions a lifestyle where he won’t have to drive as much as 50 miles before he can hook up for a recharge; home garage or work parking lot. If remaining in CA, make it 70 miles–or more. The Model 3 is advertised as having a “range per charge of 215 miles.”
Mark ‘ll be able to take delivery of his Model 3, after parting with a bunch more George Washington’s, in CA or DC, among store locations. What to give up? His “up to 17 city / 22 highway” mpg FJ Cruiser.
After some talking points about Tesla’s lithium-ion batteries, including the Powerwall for residential and Powerpack for commercial renewable energy storage, Mark offered he could always get his money back if the Tesla 3 looked too expensive at the time his number comes up.
What’s not to like about his thinking?! He’s among the Millennial generation already supporting all things renewable or recyclable or conserved. I’m proud of him.
And, as I put it in my previous post, Mark is one of his generation who will increasingly hold the older generations to account for environmental healing.
Meanwhile, Tesla founder Elon Musk says his electric car building enterprise is “an attempt to help [avert] a climatic apocalypse.” From the company’s website: “Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”
P.S. Linked here is an article about the most eco-efficient cars on the road as of about 9 months ago. Worth remembering is the fact that EVs do have a carbon footprint, as Mark well knows when getting granular about it. Battery charging off some power grid or another–unless the grid is 100%-renewable-energy-derived? If that’s the case, one might for all intents and purposes say the car is carbon neutral.