The source is the actual manufacturing process, vs the assumed model manufacturing process, that is where Green technology is a scam. Read the modeling assumptions in that article you posted, they assume the battery is the GREET model applied to the Nissan Leaf. However, the Nissan Leaf is a USA made battery, which is specially manufactured to have the lowest carbon footprint model for comparison. Tesla on the other hand, sources 18650 commodity batteries from Panasonic that are similar to common rechargeable batteries. I'm not even considering the low volume production inefficiencies of Tesla.


Tesla's are a fun, good looking car, but not some environmental friendly alternative.