I think there were some posts about this, but I think we British Columbia members should protest the $77,000 cutoff for the current CEV program (as of March 2, 2016).
I just sent this email to the ministry email contact for this ([email protected]).
I've copied my email here since I hope I made salient points and others might also take up the drive. I've already benefited from the program, so it's not really for me (although I'm really tempted to upgrade soon!
).
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To: [email protected]
I strongly question the cut off of $77,000 for the CEV incentive. It pointedly excludes the Tesla Model S and X -- while I realize many feel these are the cars for the weathly, currently they are the only BEVs with useful long range, thus addressing in a more comprehensive manner a reduction in fossil fuels.
If the goal of the CEV program is to reduce fossil fuel usage, then it shouldn't discriminate against specific cars, and definitely should not exclude cars that can actually be used for longer distance trips -- all other non Tesla BEVs on market cannot reduce the use of fossil fuels for distance travel.
Excluding these cars is actually encouraging the use of a fuel burning vehicle for longer distances. Even if people buy a Leaf or Volt, they can't make long distance trips, thus need to rent, borrow, or buy a separate gasoline vehicle for longer distance trips. This isn't necessary in a Tesla, thus long distance trips in a Tesla remain an emissions free proposition.
Many have stated the EV incentive allowed them to stretch to a Tesla, thus achieving the primary goal of the program to keep another fossil fuel car off the road. This was my own personal thought process when I benefited from the program and bought a Model S in 2013, and it steered me away from a similarly priced luxury vehicle from BMW or Mercedes-Benz.
Teslas are still subject to the luxury taxes, so there are still significant taxes for the government.
Every Model S or X sold means less use of premium fuels when compared to other vehicles in the same size and price class, and larger luxury vehicles and SUVs are generally less fuel efficient than smaller cars. People buying in this price segment are not generally sensitive to the cost of fuel for their vehicle (thus fuel consumption isn't a large priority in this market segment). With current low gas prices, people aren't swayed by gas price and thus fuel consumption is a distant concern.
Teslas are also ambassador cars: they are aspirational and raise awareness and desirability for electric vehicles: witness the massive numbers of Model 3 preorders that happened just on the strength of the Tesla brand. Teslas get people talking about EVs, and seeing more on the road makes people see that BEVs are desirable and practical. While expensive, Tesla Model S and X purchases help sustain the development of the lower cost Model 3.
Unfortunately Model 3 won't ship for at least 2 years, so it'll be a while before a desirable lower cost, long range BEV will be available (the Chevy Bolt won't likely be as desirable compared to the Model 3).
More Teslas on the road will inspire more people to move to full BEV's and better address the issue of fossil fuel consumption than lower range cars. If the goal of the CEV program is to lower emissions, then you must include Teslas. Cancelling the rebate for these cars seems a political move rather than a move to address the primary mandate of the program.
I strongly urge you to reconsider the price cutoff.
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I just sent this email to the ministry email contact for this ([email protected]).
I've copied my email here since I hope I made salient points and others might also take up the drive. I've already benefited from the program, so it's not really for me (although I'm really tempted to upgrade soon!
).===========
To: [email protected]
I strongly question the cut off of $77,000 for the CEV incentive. It pointedly excludes the Tesla Model S and X -- while I realize many feel these are the cars for the weathly, currently they are the only BEVs with useful long range, thus addressing in a more comprehensive manner a reduction in fossil fuels.
If the goal of the CEV program is to reduce fossil fuel usage, then it shouldn't discriminate against specific cars, and definitely should not exclude cars that can actually be used for longer distance trips -- all other non Tesla BEVs on market cannot reduce the use of fossil fuels for distance travel.
Excluding these cars is actually encouraging the use of a fuel burning vehicle for longer distances. Even if people buy a Leaf or Volt, they can't make long distance trips, thus need to rent, borrow, or buy a separate gasoline vehicle for longer distance trips. This isn't necessary in a Tesla, thus long distance trips in a Tesla remain an emissions free proposition.
Many have stated the EV incentive allowed them to stretch to a Tesla, thus achieving the primary goal of the program to keep another fossil fuel car off the road. This was my own personal thought process when I benefited from the program and bought a Model S in 2013, and it steered me away from a similarly priced luxury vehicle from BMW or Mercedes-Benz.
Teslas are still subject to the luxury taxes, so there are still significant taxes for the government.
Every Model S or X sold means less use of premium fuels when compared to other vehicles in the same size and price class, and larger luxury vehicles and SUVs are generally less fuel efficient than smaller cars. People buying in this price segment are not generally sensitive to the cost of fuel for their vehicle (thus fuel consumption isn't a large priority in this market segment). With current low gas prices, people aren't swayed by gas price and thus fuel consumption is a distant concern.
Teslas are also ambassador cars: they are aspirational and raise awareness and desirability for electric vehicles: witness the massive numbers of Model 3 preorders that happened just on the strength of the Tesla brand. Teslas get people talking about EVs, and seeing more on the road makes people see that BEVs are desirable and practical. While expensive, Tesla Model S and X purchases help sustain the development of the lower cost Model 3.
Unfortunately Model 3 won't ship for at least 2 years, so it'll be a while before a desirable lower cost, long range BEV will be available (the Chevy Bolt won't likely be as desirable compared to the Model 3).
More Teslas on the road will inspire more people to move to full BEV's and better address the issue of fossil fuel consumption than lower range cars. If the goal of the CEV program is to lower emissions, then you must include Teslas. Cancelling the rebate for these cars seems a political move rather than a move to address the primary mandate of the program.
I strongly urge you to reconsider the price cutoff.
=========
