Random Update On Future Of EVs -- WSJ -- December 29, 2016

From The WSJ, future bleak in near-term. Data points:

• Chevy Bolt in the show rooms
• Tesla Model 3 to be built in late 2017
• average price of EV: between industry average ($35,000) and luxury compat ($42,000): about $39,000
• Tesla: has posted a net loss of $550 million so far this year
• industry dependent on tax credits
• federal tax credit of $7,500 applies only to the maker's first 200,000 cars; fast running out for GM, Tesla
• federal tax credit important for GM Bolt which lists for $37,750
• quick charge: 20 minutes; assuming you can find charging station
• Tesla has 350 supercharger stations in the US; a few thousand overall vs about 100,000 gas stations

At best, EVs are an individual's or family's second or third car, except for those who never take a trip "away" from home.

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Holiday Retail

From The WSJ, US retailers on pace for best holiday season in years. Some chalk it up to US consumer confidence, best since 2001, following the November election.