◼ Tesla will pony up $50 million to match the California Energy Commission grant, which will be used to expand manufacturing capacity at its factory in Fremont, Calif., and to purchase equipment to make components for the Model X. - Todd Woody/Forbes
“Tesla’s Gen 3 vehicle could ultimately be a game changer for electric vehicles and air quality and public health in California,” added McCarthy, referring to Tesla’s plans to build an electric car in the $30,000 range.
Its latest car, the Model S sedan, sells between $50,000 and $100,000 and the Model X, which is based on the Model S platform, is expected to sell in that price range.
“Too often we’re portrayed in the press as only producing an electric sports car,” Mike Taylor, Tesla’s vice president of finance, told the commissioners. “I think that misses the point of what Tesla Motors is trying to do and why it’s important for California. Our mission has always been to aggressively promote electric vehicles for the masses.”
Taylor said the $10 million grant would contribute to the hiring of an expected 700 additional workers when the Model X goes into production in 2014.
