The original title of this Thread is..,.,”electric cars,…..anyone own one”?
I haven’t taken the time to go back and read every response, ,but besides myself, how many of the over 1300 responders, or others actually own an EV? And perhaps just as pertinent to the conversation, how many have an opinion based on the experience of ownership.
My first clearly stated I do not own an EV, but I do have some experience and have researched the extensively for some of my customers. I even commended to OP, for doing the research before purchase that most will not do. I always encourage people to do their own research, but point them in directions of what to look for.
You seem like the type of person that an EV is a good fit, but there are other factors involved where a good fit may still not be a good reason to own.
My talk has refined over the time this thread started, but it is essentially this
If you like the performance aspect a Tesla is hard to beat, it’s too early to know long term maintenance and true ownership cost, they will be high due to technology. What you save from not doing oil changes, will be lost when replacing tires. A new battery is a far higher cost than an engine, it’s all a simply a choice.
If you are buying an EV to save the planet, you’re mis guided. I use Tesla as an example because the data is available. The cost in water alone the extract the raw materials should be enough to turn people away, more than 35,000 gallons to make a battery. This is based on easily found numbers, 500,000 gallons to produce 1 ton of lithium, 136 pounds lithium per battery. The Thacker pass mine that is hoping to produce up to 10% of the industries lithium has openly stated they will use 1.7 billion gallons a year.
People have coexisted with oil wells for more than 100 years. No has has ever lived in a functioning strip mine, and rarely for years after shutting it down.
Research the deadliest cars ever made, and Tesla should be on the list. It is not on any I could find. More than twice as many people have died in vehicle fires in teslas than the Ford pinto, the Pinto outsold the Tesla before being recalled. The Pinto will be found on every list you can find.
It’s looking like there will be dry few collision repaired EV’s. The cost of the battery replacement require in most collisions causes the vehicle to be totaled by insurance.
Personally I don’t have a problem with the vehicles, only the way they are marketed and sold. It is all a complete lie. They are not for everyone or every location, yet everyone in every location will be eventually forced to drive one.
The facts above generally help people decide if they will purchase one or not. Then it’s a matter of doing the research on a vehicle that may fit the location and lifestyle. Not too many people driving them in northern Montana for a reason.
This all does not even touch on the supply grid that is currently non existent.
Again it’s just a choice, but it doesn’t take an owner to help people decide if it’s a good choice for them. I have been helping people make good choices in vehicle purchases for close to 40 years, yet in that time span have only owned 3.
I agree there are many emotional advice or warnings given, mine is not one of those.