The Tesla Motors (TSLA -0.1%) Model S hits Germany to public acclaim as the automaker looks to...

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George McDermand Comments (38)
 
Despite right wing efforts opposing new tech in the US I believe the EU countrys will receive the Tesla S with open arms. Special tax breaks and high fuel prices should ensure it's success
12 Nov 2012, 11:05 AM Reply Like

jkaness Comments (37)
 
You say, "...how big the luxury EV market actually is ..." and I say if the luxury EV market can be judged by the size of the private yachts, the size of military vessels, I saw in Spain several years ago then the luxury EV market is huge in Europe. And, yes, high taxes double (and more) the price of petroleum fuels in Europe compared with the US. Of course, the price of electricity I saw in Germany was also double the US price!
12 Nov 2012, 11:15 AM Reply Like

gdavidson1731 Comments (135)
 
I say TSLA made a big mistake. It should have started its operation in EU. Then sell it to the US market. No problem. EV will be big in EU. They can't wait to get their hands on EVs and dump the gas machines.

There is something wrong with the American mindset when in the mids of gas wars, pollution, and high gas prices, an EV is a "political lighting rod".

My question is why is it not a lighting rod in other countries?
12 Nov 2012, 11:39 AM Reply Like

George McDermand Comments (38)
 
Because we must bow down and kiss the a*s of the military industrial complex and the US since World War 2 has acted like a petulant empire
12 Nov 2012, 12:46 PM Reply Like

NervousCat Comments (25)
 
Wunderbar!
12 Nov 2012, 12:56 PM Reply Like

pylt Comments (5)
 
Huge factor: during some conditions over 30% of Germany's electric power comes from renewable sources (mostly solar). Repeat: OVER 30%! Thus, the pollution savings are exponentially greater for the Full EV's such as the Tesla. The more they sell there, the better for the planet overall--how's that for win-win!

Source:
http://bit.ly/SHK2ES

Idea: redirect oil/gas/nuclear tax breaks and subsidies that "smoke" the planet (or leave it with toxic waste that last longer than mans' known history on the planet!) into industries such as this one. There may have to be a special level in Hades for lobbyists that fight this . . .

Note: This report stated it was "almost 50%" of demand met by solar:

http://reut.rs/SQ7ep8
12 Nov 2012, 01:49 PM Reply Like

Shannon Shelmire Comments (12)
 
Because THOSE Eu countries did not help fund Tesla. Ours did, and the Tea Party wants to make hay when their sun shines. Fortunately I suspect the sun is setting on their party and they dont even know it.
12 Nov 2012, 01:53 PM Reply Like

Agnes59 Comments (80)
 
Its not a lighting rod in other countries because they dont have competition like the Big3 automakers. Europeans are open minded and alternatives as oppose to higher gas prices are highly welcome. I do agree though, if Elon Musk would have started this in Europe he would have been easily accepted here in the U.S.
12 Nov 2012, 02:09 PM Reply Like

gdavidson1731 Comments (135)
 
Good minds. If we have EV policy in the US, we could bring 99% of our troops and people home form the Middle East, and close most of the embassies in those places our people are being killed. Then we can focus on rebuilding our infrastructure, education, and job creation.

Instead we are wasting our resources to protect goverments who keep us alive so they can feed off us. Here comes hurricane sandy and we are going to borrow $50B to fix NY NJ.
12 Nov 2012, 03:13 PM Reply Like

gdavidson1731 Comments (135)
 
Motor Trend, "car of the year".
13 Nov 2012, 11:48 AM Reply Like