Want a Fine Electric Car? Not in Hawaii
by Panos Prevedouros PhD, Fix Oahu!
The Tesla S is a fine EV, comparable to a BMW 5 series or a Mercedes S class. Tesla argues that their model S can also be cheaper than its competitors. It has developed a calculator to prove it, based on location, incentives, fuel and electricity prices, and owner annual mileage.
I looked into the Tesla S and made some calculations. A couple of months ago I mentioned on the Rick Hamada Program on KHVH that my estimates indicated that in Hawaii if I was choosing between a $50,000 Tesla S and a $50,000 BMW 528i, I should buy the BMW. (Cars were optioned so that with EV incentives they came with approximately the same "out the door" cost.)
This is the outcome of outrageous electricity prices which, thanks to renewable energy mandates and meddling politicians who pick winners (for their own self-interests,) are continuously escalating.
As you can see below, the true cost to own a base Tesla S in Hawaii is 17% more than California and 34% more than Colorado (excluding applicable taxes, insurance and registration differences, etc.)
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