What about battery replacement cost? AFAIK, Tesla buyers are looking at a $20k line item 5-10 years down the line here. Something gasoline cars don't need.
By talking about gasoline cost in their car price calculator, Tesla is going for a "total cost of ownership" thing, so why is battery replacement cost not included?
It looks to me as if Tesla is eager to talk loudly about the unique costs of their competitors, while keeping quiet about the unique costs of themselves.
That will be reflected in the resale value of the vehicle. Very few first time buyers will own a car longer than 5 years (even if that would be the most effective way of using their money). Likely the car will be traded at least once in those 5 to 10 years.
Of course it might be reflected there. But Tesla is not saying anything to the line of "resale value might be lower than a comparable gasoline car because the battery will have to be replaced" either.
Interesting. But my original point stands: if you don't sell your car, you're looking at a $20k bill a few years down the line, and on the page Tesla are happy to talk about total-cost-of-ownership of their competitors, they're not telling you about that $20k replacement.
No reason to think it will be dramatically different from the cost now. With technology, the cost typically remains constant, while capability improves. The battery you need to buy in 10 years may be a lot better than the one you have now, but it won't likely be much cheaper.
This seems designed to prevent customers from following through:
During the period between 36 months to 39 months from your Guarantee Effective Date, you have the option to sell your vehicle to Tesla for the Guaranteed Resale Value. [...] This Guarantee automatically expires on the 39 month anniversary of the Guarantee Effective Date.
Why? If it's designed to be like a 3 year lease, and they give you a 3 month window to decide that, how is that a bad thing? It's strictly more flexible than a 3 year lease.
Tesla is offering a 8-year unlimited warranty on the battery pack. Even if it fails after that, technology will have improved enough that the cost is likely to be a tenth of what it is now.
By talking about gasoline cost in their car price calculator, Tesla is going for a "total cost of ownership" thing, so why is battery replacement cost not included?
It looks to me as if Tesla is eager to talk loudly about the unique costs of their competitors, while keeping quiet about the unique costs of themselves.