Brilliant article which takes into account so many factors. I loathe the simple argument that EVs are the way forward. We still haven't adopted them here in Australia - or should I say EMBRACED - for two main reasons - cost (how the fuck can people afford them?) and the ability to do distance. There's certainly a marketing push to promote EV that can handle rugged country and the great outdoors, but they are largely seen as city cars. Mind you I saw a TESLA at the beach with a surfboard on it the other day.
I know that in England, where EVs are everywhere, a lot of people are swapping back because they aren't practical long distance or to charge. Many friends there gave up in disgust. And whether Tesla will have resale value at all is another story too. We spoke to guys at the port when we imported our petrol guzzling 50 yo old Landie and they said they send more Tesla back to the USA for scrap or repairs than any other car.
It's also double think isn't it - to want an EV to save the environment yet at the same time surely know that the cost of production is high in that regard.
I'm not anti EV - I just think the tech has a way to go and maybe there's better ways to do it.
Solar here is heavily subsidized. We can't afford a battery so we run most stuff during the day but still, our whole system cost us 4 k AUD. The problem we have now is the power companies aren't paying feed in tariffs like they used to (60 cents.. now you're lucky to get 4 cents) because there's too much being fed back into the grid. We even have EV customer rates which I found interesting.
It is not practical right now in Australia.
It is not practical right now even in Texas, most of Texas in empty just like Australia (just the scale in different obviously). It is possible in the city, if you have the money. People who can afford it, typically have it as a second car. It is simply not possible to take it on a long drive, forget about wilderness or outback :)
You know what pisses me off is everyone has to get new cars all the friggin time. I wish we had a rule that said you can only get one every ten years or so. I mean if they stopped making cars now we would be fine for bloody eons.
But also, why would you, I drive a Ford Focus from 2007, I do most city chores on my bicycle, much more healthy.
Oh yeah my son has an old Subaru but lives in the city so gets public transport or cycles and NEVER drives except if needing to move stuff or coming to see me in the country!
Yeah, exactly, I drive 99% work related in my work van, almost never drive my own car so an old car is good enough 🙂
Netherlands is such a bicycle friendly country! Quite the opposite of Texas!
Yes when I'm abroad, I can't believe cyclists are just on the same road as cars, driving 80 km/h 😐 but try to drive a car in the city center of Amsterdam during rush hours, you literally need 3 set of eyes to watch all the cyclists coming from every possible direction 😆
Yeah that is a problem. Here cars and gasoline traditionally been so cheap, society never felt a need for it. However, it is changing slowly now.
Well, which one would be first world country and which one 3rd world country from this point of view? Enlighten us.
I mean, to be fair, much of the time weather isn't bicycle friendly in Texas. Unless you like bicycling in 100+ degree temps.
10-15 years should be fine. Modern cars are designed to be tough. Modern gasoline or diesel cars and truck I mean. You know, you will be happy to know, my older daughter wants a truck :)
Made my day!
Haha my Dad wanted me to get a sensible Toyota Corolla back in 89. I insisted on a '71 Valiant. Coolest car ever. He still helped me find and buy it. Wish I'd kept it. Be worth a good penny now.
That is a nice looking car!
Honestly I loved it. It'd fit my surfboard and dog and I could even sleep on the back seat. Had many adventures and misadventures in that thing. Us girls all had cool old Holdens and old Fords and Variants back then. The boys didn't as much. I think we were all just cool really.