I live in a rural community. A friend of the family came up to me the other day and said "that car must go pretty fast," and explained that he was following me as I passed someone on the two-lane highway. He was surprised to see the zip as I pulled out and blasted past the slow driver in front of me. That led to a conversation about how far it goes, how to charge, etc. I love those conversations - when I'm not in a hurry. I jokingly say one of the worst experiences is coming out of the store to find 10 people surrounding your car, and thinking "Tesla time", when you have to be home in a few minutes.
California? Old hat. Here in "big three" country? Big deal.
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I once commented on an external post with the following - re making the Tesla TCO comparable with a Chevy Impala:
It is true for some states - let's use Illinois as an example. When you take a reasonably-configured Model S, subtract the federal & state incentives and the fuel and maintenance savings, in Illinois I can make it cost less than a 2LTZ Impala (the comparable model, not the rental car options). Fuel savings alone can be incredible - at Illinois' average 2013 gas price ($3.73), the Chevy 22 MPG combined 3.6L engine costs 17 cents per mile. At local electric rates, the Model S costs between 1.65 and 2.5 cents per mile (5-8c/kWh average here). Over 150,000 miles that means a savings of ~$22k. The 60 kWh Model S with tech pkg, parking sensors, body-color roof, 19" wheels is $77,570 before incentives. After $7,500 and $4,000 federal and state rebates, it's $66,070. After $22,000 fuel savings, it's $44,070. After ~$5k maintenance savings (no oil changes, radiator flushes, transmission oil changes, all parts but tires included, etc.), it's $39,070. I configured a 2LTZ Impala with standard blue metallic paint, tan leather, comfort pkg, radio w/ nav, body color grille, floor mats, and roadside assistance for $39,100 if you subtract dest charge.
Drive it to 200,000 miles, and the fuel savings subtract another $7,500. That doesn't include the ICE engine performance degradation/loss of mileage over the life span of the engine, nor does it include other benefits, like a $830 savings in registration costs over 10 years (IL charges $18/yr for pure EV registration, $101/yr for ICE registration).
So yes, here in Illinois, I can make a Model S price-comparable to a similarly-equipped Impala. The fit and finish and quality of Model S is leaps and bounds above that Impala, as well.
I suppose this is where I say "your mileage WILL vary", though, and I acknowledge that in states without an additional incentive, or where power prices are prohibitively expensive, you may not be able to see the same returns. You will certainly come close, though.
California? Old hat. Here in "big three" country? Big deal.
- - - Updated - - -
I once commented on an external post with the following - re making the Tesla TCO comparable with a Chevy Impala:
It is true for some states - let's use Illinois as an example. When you take a reasonably-configured Model S, subtract the federal & state incentives and the fuel and maintenance savings, in Illinois I can make it cost less than a 2LTZ Impala (the comparable model, not the rental car options). Fuel savings alone can be incredible - at Illinois' average 2013 gas price ($3.73), the Chevy 22 MPG combined 3.6L engine costs 17 cents per mile. At local electric rates, the Model S costs between 1.65 and 2.5 cents per mile (5-8c/kWh average here). Over 150,000 miles that means a savings of ~$22k. The 60 kWh Model S with tech pkg, parking sensors, body-color roof, 19" wheels is $77,570 before incentives. After $7,500 and $4,000 federal and state rebates, it's $66,070. After $22,000 fuel savings, it's $44,070. After ~$5k maintenance savings (no oil changes, radiator flushes, transmission oil changes, all parts but tires included, etc.), it's $39,070. I configured a 2LTZ Impala with standard blue metallic paint, tan leather, comfort pkg, radio w/ nav, body color grille, floor mats, and roadside assistance for $39,100 if you subtract dest charge.
Drive it to 200,000 miles, and the fuel savings subtract another $7,500. That doesn't include the ICE engine performance degradation/loss of mileage over the life span of the engine, nor does it include other benefits, like a $830 savings in registration costs over 10 years (IL charges $18/yr for pure EV registration, $101/yr for ICE registration).
So yes, here in Illinois, I can make a Model S price-comparable to a similarly-equipped Impala. The fit and finish and quality of Model S is leaps and bounds above that Impala, as well.
I suppose this is where I say "your mileage WILL vary", though, and I acknowledge that in states without an additional incentive, or where power prices are prohibitively expensive, you may not be able to see the same returns. You will certainly come close, though.
