You are confusing consumer credits with Carbon Offset Credits, which Tesla got 1.5 billion dollars worth in 2021.

Tesla was founded and ran for 17 years before turning any profits. 2020 was the first year the automaker became slightly profitable. 2021 just about offsets 17 years of losses.

Tesla ended 2021 with a net income of $5.51 billion (a 665% increase from 2020 BTW) of which 1.5 Billion was Carbon Credits that they got and resold to other car companies.

During the 17 years of losses, Musk sustained the company on Carbon Credit sales, stock price manipulation, and crypto manipulation. It's still not a real company in that the waiting list is about 18 months for a car but you pay a big deposit now.

Selling you something they don't have, so that they can take your money and and use it for 18 months, is not normal business practice. It's a pyramid scheme.

Lastly, you can argue that Musk "pushed" the other car makers into going electric but I don't see it. Tesla is a luxury vehicle that is hyped and sold to status conscious wealthy people. They grossly overpay for what they get.