How Tesla makes money
Is Tesla a car company? An AI company? A projection of Elon Musk’s ego?
In Europe, it’s a greenwashing company. Selling credits to other automakers looking to avoid paying penalties for not meeting European Union emissions targets has proved lucrative for all-electric Tesla.
“Since its founding, the electric vehicle company has brought in billions from such schemes. In 2024, it made $2.76 billion on emissions deals, a 54 percent year-over-year increase, its annual financial earnings report shows.
“That revenue stream is now in jeopardy as consumers across Europe shun the brand after Musk, a key adviser to United States President Donald Trump, threw his support behind far-right parties and made incendiary remarks about Germany letting go of its Nazi past.
“Stellantis, Toyota and Ford joined a pool with Tesla this year, opting to pay the American carmaker for its credits.
“If things go bad for Tesla and they don’t sell enough cars this year, they might not have enough credits for what they promised Stellantis and the others,” said Peter Mock, managing director of the International Council on Clean Transportation. “Tesla is under pressure.”
“Tesla’s pool is already not meeting the 2025 emissions targets, according to an analysis from the ICCT, despite January EV sales increasing 34 percent in Europe.”
Even before President Musk was appointed, I had no interest in Teslas. Since >85% of electricity in generated by natural gas in Rhode Island, Teslas here run on natural gas. Not what I call “green.” Now I have a second reason: no money to fund the human train wreck that is Elon Musk.
Tesla makes money greenwashing
In Europe, it’s a greenwashing company. Selling credits to other automakers looking to avoid paying penalties for not meeting European Union emissions targets has proved lucrative for all-electric Tesla.
“Since its founding, the electric vehicle company has brought in billions from such schemes. In 2024, it made $2.76 billion on emissions deals, a 54 percent year-over-year increase, its annual financial earnings report shows.
“That revenue stream is now in jeopardy as consumers across Europe shun the brand after Musk, a key adviser to United States President Donald Trump, threw his support behind far-right parties and made incendiary remarks about Germany letting go of its Nazi past.
“Stellantis, Toyota and Ford joined a pool with Tesla this year, opting to pay the American carmaker for its credits.
“If things go bad for Tesla and they don’t sell enough cars this year, they might not have enough credits for what they promised Stellantis and the others,” said Peter Mock, managing director of the International Council on Clean Transportation. “Tesla is under pressure.”
“Tesla’s pool is already not meeting the 2025 emissions targets, according to an analysis from the ICCT, despite January EV sales increasing 34 percent in Europe.”
Even before President Musk was appointed, I had no interest in Teslas. Since >85% of electricity in generated by natural gas in Rhode Island, Teslas here run on natural gas. Not what I call “green.” Now I have a second reason: no money to fund the human train wreck that is Elon Musk.
Tesla makes money greenwashing