interestingly, the 4k EV rebate hasn't had the effect on pricing that I would have expected, which is to increase the price of used EVs. at least, not yet. as a result, a $4k point of sale rebate is not resulting in a $10k loss of value (that math isn't adding up anyway, please re-explain). what is likely happening is dealers must price the car in accordance with market price, because not everyone can or will take the $4k point of sale rebate. they aren't able to price it in such a way that anticipates a used EV point of sale credit. so that means if I sell this particular car, i'm already at the bottom of the depreciation curve, I think i'll be able to sell it for just a few K less than what I bought it for.
I hate to point out the obvious, but if anyone lost $10k in value it was probably due to overpaying for the car by purchasing during a hype cycle. for some, that's when it was brand new and people were losing their minds and acting irrationally, such as the earliest years of the model 3. heck, Elon himself pointed out that the price of these Teslas would drop as the run rate increased, as well as in response to competition, or as a result of a loss of tax credits. so, I think these hype cycle buyers were not cross shopping ICE cars or other EV brands, but primarily fulfilling the #1 need which was a Tesla, NOW. also, Tesla was lauded for having in-housed the production of certain components that other manufacturers had not, which gave them a competitive advantage during that time. in some ways, the hype surrounding the brand at that time was actually rational.
if any of this sounds familiar, then consider if the same thing will happen (or is currently happening) with CT.
I remain enthusiastic about Teslas but I was never going to pay their new / retail price. alas, I was without a Tesla for many years. but getting one at 1/5th of the original cost, with free electricity courtesy of Elon and Co, feels pretty good. I think of it as saving up for future maintenance expenses, which would happen even with a car purchased new. except, again, my starting point is at 14% of original cost. car runs great, it's a fast good looking commuter with a lot of space for my construction activities, and I usually work out while the car is plugged in and harvesting free electricity at a supercharger. I'm more than fine with no more software updates for this car.
I'd like to thank Tesla for increasing their supply, and Uncle Sam for incentivizing EV adoption.
a rare case of the poor getting richer.
