Another example of regulation being used to protect older, more established businesses from newer entrants that would supplant them. Sigh.
Reglation, corruption, lobbying... Its all the same thing.
Governor Snyder signs a law to ban Tesla direct sales in Michigan
51–58 of 58 posts
Re: Governor Snyder signs a law to ban Tesla direct sales in Michigan
#52Earlier quoted context omitted.
There just isn't enough surface area. A Model S has a roof area of around 9m^2. The sun provides about 1000W/m^2 on a clear day at high noon when directly overhead, so with 100% efficient solar cells on a perfect day, you'd get around 9kW of electricity. A Model S goes about 4 miles per kWh when it's doing well, so in this ideal situation you'd top out at around 36MPH. In the real world, the sun isn't directly overhe…
I recently ballparked the cost of a home solar charger for my Leaf EV. Came out around half the price of the car ... not cheap, but feasible for someone serious about it. I do have a propane-powered electrical generator for emergency/backup home power. Some day I'll try charging the Leaf with it.
Have you ever worked out your approximate cost per kWh for the generator? I imagine it's painful compared to what you get from the power company, but I'd be curious to know just how painful.
Re: Governor Snyder signs a law to ban Tesla direct sales in Michigan
#53Earlier quoted context omitted.
There just isn't enough surface area. A Model S has a roof area of around 9m^2. The sun provides about 1000W/m^2 on a clear day at high noon when directly overhead, so with 100% efficient solar cells on a perfect day, you'd get around 9kW of electricity. A Model S goes about 4 miles per kWh when it's doing well, so in this ideal situation you'd top out at around 36MPH. In the real world, the sun isn't directly overhe…
You probably mean 0.9m^2. 9m^2 is a decent size bedroom.
I shouldn't have said "roof," I meant the whole vertical-facing area of the car.
Re: Governor Snyder signs a law to ban Tesla direct sales in Michigan
#54I believe that this law is in direct violation of the commerce clause[1]. The commerce clause was designed to prevent tarrifs from being placed on products from one state being sold in another state. They wanted to prevent inter-state trade wars. Being forced to go thru a dealer network that (theoretically) adds no value while extracting a cut of sales is a form of a tarrif (or at least, I think it is arguably one).…
Michigan is not discriminating against Tesla. They are not saying "only Tesla may not sell direct to consumer." Instead, they are saying "No auto manufacturer, regardless of their state, may sell direct to consumer." Thus, no commerce clause violation.
The commerce clause may be violated if the effect is discrimination.
"It is the effect upon commerce, not the source of the injury, which is the criterion." - N.L.R.B. v. JONES & LAUGHLIN STEEL CORP., 301 U.S. 1 (1937) [http://laws.findlaw.com/us/301/1.html]
Re: Governor Snyder signs a law to ban Tesla direct sales in Michigan
#55Couldn't somebody open a dealership that offers Tesla vehicles where dealers are replaced with touch screens that walk you through all the available options, scheduling test drives, and settling on payment? Staff would be there to make sure questions are answered, machines are operating properly, and verifying paperwork. I know nothing about this industry so I could be totally off base but that seems like a decent wa…
That's how Tesla stores currently work. But those stores are illegal too.
Re: Governor Snyder signs a law to ban Tesla direct sales in Michigan
#56Earlier quoted context omitted.
I recently ballparked the cost of a home solar charger for my Leaf EV. Came out around half the price of the car ... not cheap, but feasible for someone serious about it. I do have a propane-powered electrical generator for emergency/backup home power. Some day I'll try charging the Leaf with it.
Have you ever worked out your approximate cost per kWh for the generator? I imagine it's painful compared to what you get from the power company, but I'd be curious to know just how painful.
About $1.23/kWh.
Ad verbiage for the allegedly 3250 running watts generator states "engine run time of 10 hours at 50% on a common 20Lb (gas grill type) cylinder". So that's under $2 for 1.625kWh, which is roughly the power draw for recharging the Nissan Leaf in question, which takes 20 hours - costing upwards of $40. More to your point, that's about $1.23/kWh. Not cheap, but a 10x markup is appropriate and acceptable for emergency needs.
Re: Governor Snyder signs a law to ban Tesla direct sales in Michigan
#57Earlier quoted context omitted.
Have you ever worked out your approximate cost per kWh for the generator? I imagine it's painful compared to what you get from the power company, but I'd be curious to know just how painful.
About $1.23/kWh. Ad verbiage for the allegedly 3250 running watts generator states "engine run time of 10 hours at 50% on a common 20Lb (gas grill type) cylinder". So that's under $2 for 1.625kWh, which is roughly the power draw for recharging the Nissan Leaf in question, which takes 20 hours - costing upwards of $40. More to your point, that's about $1.23/kWh. Not cheap, but a 10x markup is appropriate and acceptabl…
Thanks. That sounds pretty reasonable for a generator, considering.
Re: Governor Snyder signs a law to ban Tesla direct sales in Michigan
#58Earlier quoted context omitted.
What would stop Musk from making a company whose sole purpose was to be a Tesla dealership? It would buy cars from Tesla, sell to consumers, and sell Service Arrangements with Tesla, etc.
Usually the dealer laws prohibit manufacturer-owned dealerships
What about a common owner then?