It was a longshot, but I sent the email anyway. My sister and her husband were thinking of getting a used car. They had both driven my Model 3 and experienced how much fun the car is to drive. In the email, I informed her that Tesla released a less expensive version of the Model 3, the Standard Range (SR) plus, and reminded her that the Model 3 is the safest car you can buy (https://www.tesla.com/blog/model-3-lowest-probability-injury-any-vehicle-ever-tested-nhtsa).
Her reply, “I’ll look into it.”
About two weeks later, I spoke w/ my parents and heard that she was actively looking into getting a car, and that her husband and kids were advocating for a Tesla. I saw an opportunity.
So I emailed again with more information, including an article describing how the total cost of ownership is less than a Honda Accord: https://cleantechnica.com/2019/05/04/tesla-model-3-cheaper-than-honda-accord-15-cost-comparisons-updated/. I also sent links to videos showing how the car automatically evades accidents.
She then started asking lots of questions, about the cost to insure the Model 3 (similar to a new Honda), about the federal and state incentives (lucrative ones in MD for EVs and for EV charging), about autopilot (yes it is impressive and makes long drives relaxing), and other questions.
Later, she tells me they went or a test drive, but were not able to drive the SR plus, because demand was so high Tesla didn’t have any on the lot.
A few days later, I get this text message:
The cost was $42,000 – $3,750 (federal tax credit) – $3,000 (MD state rebate) = $35,250. This does not include the substantial amount of money they will save relative to buying gas. Moreover they have solar, so their electricity costs are low.
Needless to say, I was ecstatic to hear the news!
Blue Green House 