When I saw that Tesla stock was up today (which is a rare occurrence), I thought Elon was back on Twitter but alas, I found a different reason. Tesla is getting free money.
As mentioned in a previous installment, Tesla is being subsidized by European automakers so they can make their emission goals thanks to the nonsensical fake environmental “science” of carbon taxes and emission credits. Now Bloomberg has published an article that Tesla is also being subsidized by American automakers GM (Government Motors) and Fiat-Chrysler.
For years, Tesla Inc. has hauled in revenue by selling credits to other carmakers that needed to offset sales of polluting vehicles to U.S. consumers. These sorts of transactions have largely been shrouded in secrecy — until now.
General Motors Co. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV disclosed to the state of Delaware earlier this year that they reached agreements to buy federal greenhouse gas credits from Tesla. While the filings are light on detail, they haven’t been reported on previously. They also represent the first acknowledgments from carmakers that they’re turning to Tesla for help to comply with intensifying U.S. environmental regulations.GM and Fiat Chrysler Unmasked as Tesla’s Secret Source of Cash
The deal with GM will come as a surprise to those who thought years of sales of plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volts and all-electric Chevy Bolts would leave the largest U.S. automaker in the clear with regard to regulatory compliance.
Oh, also buried in this article is a nugget about the 2020 election.
And the company wants to bank the credits for future years when emissions rules get tougher — especially if a Democrat beats President Donald Trump in 2020.
“This might not be a bad hedge,” said Mike Taylor, the founder and president of Emission Advisors, a Houston-based environmental credit consultant and broker. “If a Democrat gets elected in 2020, GM may need the credits and prices may go up.”
If you read further into the article …
Tesla has generated almost $2 billion in revenue from selling regulatory credits since 2010.
So between US and European manufacturers, we now know that Tesla has banked at least $4.3 billion dollars just for existing—and producing nothing.
Once again, it is proof positive that in a truly free-market economy, Tesla would not cut it as a viable business. Only because of government interference–direct and indirect–does this company still draw breath.