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Nevada's $1.2 billion deal for Tesla Gigafactory lets EV company sell direct

Now that the Nevada deal for the Tesla Motors Gigafactory has the governor's signature, we've got more details on the automaker's $1.2-billion benefits package. As originally reported, this is the broad breakdown: $725 million for a 20-year 100 percent sales tax abatement $332 million for a 10-year 100 percent property tax abatement $120 million in transferable tax credits $75 million in transferable tax credits worth $12,500 per job times 6,000 jobs). $27 million for a 10-year, 100 percent modified business tax abatement $8 million in discounted electricity rates for eight years New reports say that one way that state legislators freed up some money ($125 million) was by ending a long-standing tax break for insurance companies. Legislators also eliminated some tax credits for movie companies to give the money ($70 million) to Tesla. One surprising side benefit for Tesla is the ability to sell its EVs directly to customers in Nevada. The state hasn't been a big player in the EV dealer fight issue, but now the company's right to sell cars there is secure. What does Nevada get out of the deal? Well, a lot of publicity, for starters, but also a big new employer. The state is also requiring that at least half of all the workers at the $5 billion Gigafactory be from Nevada, but there is a way for Tesla to get waivers around this if needed. Add that all up and you get what state Assemblyman Ira Hansen called, "arguably the biggest thing that has happened in Nevada since at least the Hoover Dam." Not everyone is so positive. A Las Vegas schoolteacher told the Nevada Appeal, "I think it is kind of ironic that a renewable energy, a green energy car company we are courting to come to our state, that one of the things we are giving them is free energy." You can watch a video of the September 4th Tesla/Nevada announcement and read the governor's press release about signing the bill below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Governor Brian Sandoval Signs Historic Legislation Thanks Legislature for Thorough Review and Approval CARSON CITY, NV - September 11, 2014 Governor Brian Sandoval signed Assembly Bills 1, 2, and 3, and Senate Bill 1, legislation from the 28th Special Session of the Nevada Legislature, tonight in a ceremony that was open to members of the Nevada Legislature and the public.

Our love of SUVs is killing people in the streets

Americans are fond of supersized fast-food meals and colossal convenience-store fountain drinks, even though they're clearly bad for our health and U.S. adults keep getting fatter. We also like large vehicles, and our love affair with SUVs is killing people in the streets. According to a recent investigation by the Detroit Free Press/USA Today, the increase in SUV sales over the past several years coincides with a sharp rise in pedestrian deaths in the U.S. — up 46 percent since 2009, with nearly 6,000 people killed in 2016 alone. With SUV sales surpassing sedans in 2014 and pickups and SUVs currently accounting for 60 percent of new vehicle sales, it's no wonder Ford announced in April plans to cease U.S. sales of almost all passenger cars. And this followed Fiat Chrysler's move to virtually an all-truck, -SUV and -crossover lineup. While the Freep/USA Today investigation found that the simultaneous surge in SUV sales and pedestrian deaths comes down to vehicle size, it also points to a lack of action on the part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), even though it knew of the dangers SUVs pose to pedestrians. Also blamed are automakers dragging their feet on implementing active safety features. Using federal accident data, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) determined that there was an 81 percent increase in single-vehicle pedestrian fatalities involving SUVs between 2009 and 2016. Freep/USA Today's analysis of the same data by counting vehicles that struck and killed pedestrians instead of the number of people killed showed a 69 percent increase in SUV involvement. As far back as 2001, researchers at Rowan University forecasted a rise in pedestrian deaths as Americans began switching to SUVs. "In the United States, passenger vehicles are shifting from a fleet populated primarily by cars to a fleet dominated by light trucks and vans," the researchers wrote, with light trucks comprising SUVs.

Court says Tesla will be able to use Te Si La name in China

Turns out, a Tesla in China will remain a Tesla. Or, more accurately, Tesla will be Te Si La, which is the name the company originally wanted to use before having to come up with the "Tuosule" workaround after a Chinese businessman registered the "Te Si La" trademark away from the California automaker there. Speaking to Reuters this week as Tesla announced its "aggressive" pricing for the Model S in China, Veronica Wu, vice president of Tesla's China operations, said, "We went to court and we won. The court has given use right to use the name, which is why you see the Chinese name in our store now." Te Si La is the name "best known" to buyers in China, Reuters says. So now that's what it'll be called when buyers plunk down 734,000 yuan (the equivalent to $121,000 US) for a Model S. Featured Gallery Tesla Model S View 24 Photos News Source: ReutersImage Credit: Copyright 2014 Drew Phillips / AOL Green Tesla Electric trademark