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If the heaviness of cars and its wear and tear on the roads is your concern, I suppose you are also waging a campaign against all of the giant and heavy truck based SUVs that seem to be everywhere these days? A Ford expedition is ~1000 pounds heavier than a Tesla model S.
Road damage due to weight is primarily from fully loaded 18 wheelers that can weigh up to 40 tons. The impact difference between an Accord, a Tesla and an Expedition pales in comparison
There's also zero evidence that EVs are better for the environment when accounting for: the slave child labor used to produce their batteries, the non-existent environmental regulations in the countries from which the are sourced, the massive amount of fossil fuels needed to extract the materials, the pollution produced from their tires (look it up), the disposal of the batteries, the obsolescence of the vehicle once the battery has depleted vs. an ICE vehicle, etc, etc....
Electric vehicles are very niche, but they have filled a role with a certain percentage of the population that can afford to bloviate over how they're saving the planet. At the moment, if you want to truly reduce emissions and help the planet, your best bet is to get an e-bike, certain hybrids, or a small econobox ICE vehicle.
Actually, wouldn't the best thing for the environment be to continue to use your existing vehicle as long as it is repairable (notice I didn't include cost effective to repair) because that avoids the huge environmental burden required to build the next vehicle. It's why Cash for Clunkers was such a bad idea, it forced the government to total all these functional cars by pouring liquid plastic in their engines.
Actually, wouldn't the best thing for the environment be to continue to use your existing vehicle as long as it is repairable (notice I didn't include cost effective to repair) because that avoids the huge environmental burden required to build the next vehicle. It's why Cash for Clunkers was such a bad idea, it forced the government to total all these functional cars by pouring liquid plastic in their engines.
Someone needs my car when I tire of it. I've sold too many cars to grateful people to think otherwise. I've also taken a few to the junkyard.
My first car was $70. Drove it 12,000 miles. Sold it for $35, and it was still on the road 3 years later.
There is a butt for every seat.
I know all this back and forth talk of electric vehicles is the same no matter where you discuss it.
It's important to note that many people think the jump to EVs is going to happen quickly - one friend said buying an ICE car now is "like going backwards." These people are living in their upper-middle class fantasy land.
The change will be very slow. It's not enough to just drive around the many areas of the Triangle and see many Teslas around and think people are making the switch.
EVs are still very expensive (not just Teslas), a certain income only buys it and insurance is more expensive (higher auto body repair costs). They do require less maintenance for obvious reasons.
But for now, if you care about less maintenance and fuel efficiency, you will come out ahead with things like a Honda CRV hybrid or Toyota Rav4 hybrid.
I have been driving EV for 7 years and can tell you that there is WAY less maintenance with an EV, plus they are much more fun to drive than ICE vehicles.
I do think buying a new ICE car is going backwards and I would never do it, but we have bought some used PHEVs recently for our kids and as a second car for us. I don't like driving them as much and we've already had to shell out for maintenance on them. Hands down the EV is the better car. No question.
I have been driving EV for 7 years and can tell you that there is WAY less maintenance with an EV, plus they are much more fun to drive than ICE vehicles.
I do think buying a new ICE car is going backwards and I would never do it, but we have bought some used PHEVs recently for our kids and as a second car for us. I don't like driving them as much and we've already had to shell out for maintenance on them. Hands down the EV is the better car. No question.
I am 6'5" and about 1/8 ton.
And, I want some comfort and road visibility.
That includes headroom, legroom, and a seat that feels like it was made for a big boy.
That all makes most cars unusable for me, unless I would be happy with 12-15MPG. Most electric cars aren't even close.
I am in queue for a Ford Lightning pickup. And, will probably get my $100 deposit back. Just too much money to be an early adapter. Especially if I have to wait another 18 months.
Next option is a Ford F-150 Hybrid. I may just do that. If not, it may be just an ICE.
I WANT to go electric. But, I want what I want in a vehicle, and the drivetrain is only part of the discussion.
Actually, wouldn't the best thing for the environment be to continue to use your existing vehicle as long as it is repairable (notice I didn't include cost effective to repair) because that avoids the huge environmental burden required to build the next vehicle. It's why Cash for Clunkers was such a bad idea, it forced the government to total all these functional cars by pouring liquid plastic in their engines.
Absolutely. I daily drive 50 miles each day in my 24 year old Honda with over 300,000 miles.
If it were an EV, it would long ago have been scrapped because the repair costs would have been significantly more than the value of the vehicle. As it currently stands, I have a car that is extremely reliable with working A/C, windows, bluetooth, no oil burning, etc. I am completely committed to the "Reuse" portion of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It is good for the environment to keep something out of the junkyard that could have already been there, taking up space, and not contributing to the demand for new vehicles. The problem for those in the market for an EV/Hybrid is, my car doesn't have the cultural connotation of "saving the environment, doing my part".
I am 6'5" and about 1/8 ton.
And, I want some comfort and road visibility.
That includes headroom, legroom, and a seat that feels like it was made for a big boy.
That all makes most cars unusable for me, unless I would be happy with 12-15MPG. Most electric cars aren't even close.
I am in queue for a Ford Lightning pickup. And, will probably get my $100 deposit back. Just too much money to be an early adapter. Especially if I have to wait another 18 months.
Next option is a Ford F-150 Hybrid. I may just do that. If not, it may be just an ICE.
I WANT to go electric. But, I want what I want in a vehicle, and the drivetrain is only part of the discussion.
The F-150 Lightning is a really interesting concept, but as it currently stands its practicality is limited. It can tow a lot, but only for very short distances before needing recharging. Recharging can be difficult as it is due to availability, but it is particularly difficult with a truck + trailer. It would make a great vehicle for glamping, provided you don't go too deep into the wilderness. Onboard power for everything from cell phone charging to a coffee maker is really cool.
The problem with it is the price tag for what it can deliver overall. That's saying nothing about its long term reliability which is unknown.
Fast Lane Truck on YouTube has done some really cool videos on the Lightning which will give a great perspective of what you're getting. I think you're making the wise choice at the moment.
The F-150 Lightning is a really interesting concept, but as it currently stands its practicality is limited. It can tow a lot, but only for very short distances before needing recharging. Recharging can be difficult as it is due to availability, but it is particularly difficult with a truck + trailer. It would make a great vehicle for glamping, provided you don't go too deep into the wilderness. Onboard power for everything from cell phone charging to a coffee maker is really cool.
The problem with it is the price tag for what it can deliver overall. That's saying nothing about its long term reliability which is unknown.
Fast Lane Truck on YouTube has done some really cool videos on the Lightning which will give a great perspective of what you're getting. I think you're making the wise choice at the moment.
I have a 1998 F-150 I bought new.
Also, a 2016 Edge I bought new.
A new truck would free up a spot as it would replace both of them. And honestly, it would be a "Gentleman's Truck." I am not into towing, and hope to limit loads to a run to the dump, or fishing gear. But, it would be hard to not have that pickup bed available whenever the urge strikes.
The range of the Lightning, even unloaded, is not inspiring. I think those ranges are perfect for local delivery uses.
I could sleep in the bed of the old one, or a new one, but my Co-Pilot, "She Who Must Be Obeyed," has a dim view of those opportunities.
I have been driving EV for 7 years and can tell you that there is WAY less maintenance with an EV, plus they are much more fun to drive than ICE vehicles.
I do think buying a new ICE car is going backwards and I would never do it, but we have bought some used PHEVs recently for our kids and as a second car for us. I don't like driving them as much and we've already had to shell out for maintenance on them. Hands down the EV is the better car. No question.
I figured someone would bring this up but still decided not to include it in my original post. Yes, there is the Chevy Bolt and the Nissan Leaf which are not super expensive, but that's 2 cars. There aren't any other cheap ones and these 2 cars leave much to be desired for folks with other needs. Even look at the Hyundai Ioniq 5 - still not cheap.
I understand EVs have way less maintenance, that's why I said that in my original post.
But you saying buying an ICE car currently is going backwards is your upper middle class fantasy land. It's still too early and having 2 cars on the market is not enough. Having instant torque/fun to drive due to power is not enough for everyone to just be on board with everything electric and constantly talk about them.
Like MikeJaquish said, some people do want to go electric but it's not there for them yet. And don't see it happening as quick as the current EV fans make it out to be.
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