California EV Incentives: Tesla Out of the Picture?

The Policy Explained (Sort Of)

According to Governor Gavin Newsom, the new policy aims to “spur competition and innovation in the EV market.” However, excluding Tesla—the company that essentially invented the modern EV market—is like trying to promote burger joints by banning McDonald’s. The logic here seems murkier than a foggy morning in San Francisco. Rumor has it the eligibility criteria include things like “must offer cars in non-metallic pastel colors” and “should make EVs that don’t rhyme with ‘Mefla’.”

Elon Musk Responds

Listen to the end of the clip lmao https://t.co/Tll2K9yk2G

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 26, 2024

Never one to stay quiet, Musk took to Twitter, or X, or whatever we’re calling it now, and unleashed a series of fiery posts.

BREAKING: Tesla excluded from EV Buyer Credits in California Proposal. Even though Tesla is the only company who manufactures their EVs in California.

This is pure lawfare against Elon Musk. It’s time to revoke Gavin Newsom as governor. pic.twitter.com/0el9Mfuf26

— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) November 26, 2024

Public Reaction

Californians are understandably confused. Tesla owners, who have already spent $70,000 on their cars and $8 on a single oat milk latte, are demanding to know why they’re being snubbed. Meanwhile, owners of other EV brands are delighted, with one Nissan Leaf owner commenting, “Finally, a win for the little guy. Sure, I can only drive 120 miles on a charge, but now I feel like I’ve won a political battle I didn’t even know I was in.”

What’s Next?

Some analysts speculate this decision could lead to Tesla scaling back operations in California or even moving its headquarters to Mars, where Musk already has some ambitious plans. Others think this could force the state to reconsider, perhaps after someone points out that excluding Tesla from EV incentives is like excluding Beyoncé from a music awards show. If all else fails, maybe Tesla can qualify under some loophole—like selling its cars as “solar-powered go-karts.”