Some of the assumptions in their calculator are kind of absurd, especially the assumption that time saved is worth $100/hr. At least they let you change the inputs.
True Cost of Ownership | Tesla Motors
Hmm, ok, lets do the math*:
*just a rough equation, which would get far worse by the fact that a comparable "naked" 85 kWh Model S here starts at over $106,000 - in other words more than 33% more than in the US! Never forget that fact when you try to comprehend why we in Germany don't get too excited over the Model S. And remember that is with no extras. Add metallic paint, tech package, active air and parcel shelf, and you're at $115,000 already, and the list goes on. I think you get my drift.
85 kWh Battery (Non-Perf), no extras => $1,252 per Month
Down Payment 10% => + $7,990 (remains, as no EV incentives here at all)
Electricity vs. Diesel (no gasoline for me, thank you) => -$38 per Month (5000 miles per year, $7 per Gallon, 35 mpg, $0.33 per kWh)
Guaranteed resale value => -$47 per Month (how they arrive at that amount is a total mystery to me)
Business tax benefit => nope, no business (I think such subsidies should be abolished anyway, when I think of the cars business people drive compared to those the average man can afford, with no state sponsored luxuries
)
Shorten your commute => nope, for one we have no "carpool lanes" or anything like it, and my commute to the nearest railway station is only 15 minutes one way anyway. And as long as Model S doesn't come with a function to override red traffic lights, I don't see it shortening my commute in any way.
Avoid the gas station => negligable, as I have to visit a gas station only once every three to four months, at about 5 minutes each. And my time sadly isn't valued at $100, not even half. But even if that point would save me another $5 per month, the down payment alone would ruin the overall equation.
Ok, so I am not the kind of customer Tesla can win over with such a scheme. I admit for many people this will be a great offering (even if your time isn't valued at $100 per hour), especially of you live in West Virginia :wink:
And initial sarcasm aside, I think the personal guarantee by Elon is certainly worth the hype and true to his statement to "put my money where my mouth is".
With the emphasis on "my".
I can hardly see any chairman of a German automaker, or even "the Patriarch" Ferdinand Piech of VW/Porsche/Audi fame to come up with such a personal investment...