And the income-tax deductions for buying EVs, among other government largess.

Musk has taken advantage of a lot of shouldn't-be-available government help for his EV business, but he didn't put those advantages in place, only used them smartly.

And unlike the, uh, "failed business people" behind Solyndra and a number of failed solar companies, Musk actually creates products that get to market and are bought by people who, for the most part, are enthusiastic about what they bought.