If it makes electric cars more desirable and encourages research and competition, everyone will benefit as the technologies trickle down. The EV industry has needed a kick-start and the US auto industry should be energized by this rather than just racing to the bottom against foreign carmakers. More US jobs.

As a foreigner, I won't be able to afford an EV for along time but I think this makes it more likely I'll get it sooner, due to the technologies proliferating.

A bit ironic to read a liberal supporting trickle-down economics. I guess it's ok when it comes from government subsidies.

It's not "trickle-down economics". Trickle-down economics is when you use economic policies that benefit the rich hoping that the rich will spend that money in ways that benefit others. This is subsidizing the adoption of new technology, hoping that the technology itself develops to a mass-market state.

Only in the US would I be considered a liberal. I have some conservative views, some liberal, some centrist. Sometimes I change my mind, even. I hope to continue doing so.

On the specific issue, they have to start with a narrow market and high cost. Classic crossing-the-chasm stuff, or Porter's differentiation strategy focusing on a different market segment than the Prius. They've changed the perception of EV's, making them desirable where alternatives were ugly tradeoffs that screamed "bunnyhugger". You couldn't get me into a Prius, but I'd really like a model S.

I suspect Mr Musk would have done just fine without government support, but I'm sure it's helped a lot.

Where did it say that the deal was only for white folks? I missed that.

What is the racial distribution for top x% who can afford Tesla? I missed that.

Or public transport. $15,000 per individual pays for a lot of public transport.

couple of thoughts: - Could be to reduce reliance on fossil fuels - Its more of a way to create jobs in America (ie car would worth less profit otherwise) - a manufacturing base is important for certain things (ie can be used for military in times of war) - lowers unemployment (looks good on stats)

Not that your point isnt valid as well, I imagine that they see it as a welfare solution on the bottom end.