I think the bigger problem is that most people don't own cars in NY since they don't really need them and they're a pain to park unless you're paying for a parking spot. Even then that parking spot may not provide the ability to charge your car.
I suspect that if more people in NYC had garages in their owns we'd be seeing more Teslas.
I've seen far more Ferraris out on the road than Teslas and they cost, at least, twice as much. This is not including vehicles that are similarly priced to even the Tesla Roadster which only increases that ratio.
I'd include Long Island (which do have traditional homes and garages) in this as well where I've never seen one on the road.
I think there are issues that exist beyond what you mentioned.
So you think it's just cultural differences between the West and East Coast? That's possible. I'm in the tech scene in NYC so I may have a lot more in common with the West Coast culture than the one here.
I have spoken with a few of my non-tech friends about Tesla and they're all pretty bearish on it so maybe you're right. What do non-tech people on the West Coast thing about it?
I think girls are more interested in "green" issues in SF than on the east coast, so if you are a rich guy buying a car to help with the mating game, a Tesla might be a better choice out here. It is also a $100k car you can buy to claim to be forward thinking on tech and the environment, rather than just flaunting wealth (which is discouraged here).
I suspect that if more people in NYC had garages in their owns we'd be seeing more Teslas.