Political winds shifting on EVs?

[JohnSC]

Headwinds in the U.S. as Genesis pushes toward only electric vehicles by 2030. Last month, Britain pushed back its total EV deadline from 2030 to 2035.

Electric Cars Were Already Having Issues. Then Things Got Political.

The 2024 race for the White House is reigniting the debate over EVs.

www.wsj.com

 

[PMCErnie]

You can definitely expect a softening of EV demand due to high price, ridiculous frequent stops at lonely locations for charging on trips, operational quirks and more. EV’s are a fine idea for a second car, but most folks are still not interested in them as a primary vehicle.

Add to the above that most vehicles on the road don’t have a garage with a charger to call home at night.

IMO, of course.

 

[Hueydriver]

PMCErnie - I don't think, and it is only my opinion, that most of us are ready for this change! I keep thinking that if I want to travel how in the world would I find places to charge the car. Yes I know that some of the map upgrades will direct you to charging stations but only if it works correctly!
Then if you find a place, how long do you have to wait to recharge???

 

[Jhon]

I keep reading about Toyota, who has been an EV holdout, has developed a new battery that you will get 600 miles on a 10 minute charge. But that is all I have done is read about it. They don't mention the cost or how long it would last. But if the numbers are right, that I would be interested in.

 

[Tones_G70]

I, personally, have ZERO interest in any EV out there.

Even though not related, I take pride and love the fact that my '23 G70 has no auto/start stop, no cylinder deactivation and no hybrid tech in it. (Try finding a brand new vehicle without any of those today is very difficult).
AWESOME!!

 

[EdP]

PMCErnie - I don't think, and it is only my opinion, that most of us are ready for this change! I keep thinking that if I want to travel how in the world would I find places to charge the car. Yes I know that some of the map upgrades will direct you to charging stations but only if it works correctly!
Then if you find a place, how long do you have to wait to recharge???

We've become spoiled and have high expectations. In the past 100 years we've built a gas station about every mile and expect the same for an EV.

You are right, most of us are not ready for the change, however, we will be. Right now, tens of thousands of charging points are planned. I have a Shell gas card. Just got a notice today it will work with the Shell charging stations being installed.

Battery technology will be changing also. Much more range and fast charge times will make a huge difference in a few years. .

https://eepower.com/news/ev-with-1000-mile-range-unveiled-by-alcoa-and-phinergy/#

Alcoa and Phinergy are collaborating on new materials, processes and components to commercialize the aluminum-air battery, which can extend the distance an electric car travels by approximately 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles). The aluminum-air battery uses air and water to unlock the energy stored in aluminum.

 

[Hueydriver]

Ed, at 74 I really don’t think it will happen In my lifetime or if it does, I will be too old! I’m happy with my G70 Prestige.

 

[EdP]

Ed, at 74 I really don’t think it will happen In my lifetime or if it does, I will be too old! I’m happy with my G70 Prestige.

I'm 78 and plan to buy a 2028 MY EV. Though at that point it may be one of those scooters.

 

[nwhit]

Ed, you’re just too danged pragmatic. Me, I’m sticking with good old reliable horses and hay for feed. None of this dangfangled engine nonsense.

 

[Slip_Angle]

Looks like a bunch of you are in the first phase of change, which is resistance... then comes resignation, acceptance and embracing it...

EVs are like any transformational technology. Rejected at first. ICE was completely rejected back when horses were the main mode of transportation. Blockbuster was the goto for movies, only to be replaced by Netflix and film based cameras made obsolete by mobile phones...

It will happen and if you think about it... it's happening faster then most anticipated.

EVs will get better, MUCH better and cooler. One day we or our children/grand children will look back and be in disbelief that people used to out a highly flammable liquid in their cars.. and that they were powered by small explosions.

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[RCH04]

You young guys! I'm 79 and last week bought a new car (a 2024 non EV) and I'm thinking it could be our last new car. A strange feeling.

 

[Husky]

I hope to pull the trigger on our first EV by spring. I'm stuck in a loop of deciding which to buy and what I'll get rid of. I'll put an L2 charger outlet in the garage first. My goal is to get solar panels that will satisfy the house and car.

 

[Slip_Angle]

I hope to pull the trigger on our first EV by spring. I'm stuck in a loop of deciding which to buy and what I'll get rid of. I'll put an L2 charger outlet in the garage first. My goal is to get solar panels that will satisfy the house and car.

Wait for an EM platform car or the Lexus solid state battery cars.

 

[Hueydriver]

I'm 78 and plan to buy a 2028 MY EV. Though at that point it may be one of those scooters.

I am trying to find my old Huey and if I do, I’ll convert it to batteries only….

 

[PMCErnie]

Looks like a bunch of you are in the first phase of change, which is resistance... then comes resignation, acceptance and embracing it...

EVs are like any transformational technology. Rejected at first. ICE was completely rejected back when horses were the main mode of transportation. Blockbuster was the goto for movies, only to be replaced by Netflix and film based cameras made obsolete by mobile phones...

It will happen and if you think about it... it's happening faster then most anticipated.

EVs will get better, MUCH better and cooler. One day we or our children/grand children will look back and be in disbelief that people used to out a highly flammable liquid in their cars.. and that they were powered by small explosions.

Do you mean like electric generating stations do? There’s plenty of combustion, or nuclear fission, going on there.

 

[PMCErnie]

I’m visualizing a major metro area. Pick your own local area if you like.

Let’s focus on NYC for discussion purposes. Where are the people? Mostly in multiple dwellings. On street parking, or very expensive parking lots & garages, prevails. Where are the chargers? What’s the etiquette at the charging stations? Will you live to charge your car and get to work? Good luck with all that.

Sure, EV’s or the subsequent technology will be common someday. Today is not that day. In my life I measure such things as “works for me,” or “pain in the ass.” That’s called being a pragmatist in proper social lingo.

 

[SirJangle]

The FIRST thing that needs to happen to make the EV movement work is affordability. You can have a charging station at every single block, but if EVs are averaging $40K to $50K at the cheapest, not many can afford them.

 

[Husky]

Cities present their own challenges for sure. Just a couple of points:
Quite a few people who live in cities don't own a vehicle. They don't need one and, as you said, the parking is very expensive.
As far as "refueling" goes, I was recently in NYC for a week. We did a lot of walking and toured a good bit of the city. I didn't see a single gas station. My point is that I suspect getting gas in the city is also a PIA, but they work it out and deal with the inconvenience.

 

[Husky]

The FIRST thing that needs to happen to make the EV movement work is affordability. You can have a charging station at every single block, but if EVs are averaging $40K to $50K at the cheapest, not many can afford them.

The average price of a new car in the US in 2023 is already $48k. I agree there need to be more cheaper EV options, but we already have a few in the $30k range.
Keep in mind how relatively young this technology is, and how fast it's advancing. What was your cell phone like 15 years ago? Or your car for that matter. Remember when it cost a couple thousand dollars to buy a 55" flat screen TV? Now you can buy them all day long for $300!

 

[SirJangle]

The average price of a new car in the US in 2023 is already $48k. I agree there need to be more cheaper EV options, but we already have a few in the $30k range.
Keep in mind how relatively young this technology is, and how fast it's advancing. What was your cell phone like 15 years ago? Or your car for that matter. Remember when it cost a couple thousand dollars to buy a 55" flat screen TV? Now you can buy them all day long for $300!

True but I'm referring to now. One of the reasons the "excitement" is dying down is the initial cost. I know a few people who'd love to get a new EV but it's simply unaffordable for them. It'll get better in time. For myself, I can afford the new eGV70 but paying $75K for just 236 miles of range is insane.