Electric Car Ownership - Any Experiences?

[Umbran]

At the moment I personally think everything is mostly a wash. From pollution, to cost of ownership, to resale value, etc.

Resale value has never been a consideration for me. I go into ownership expecting that I am going to drive the thing into the ground, and so far that's been true.

I think that tradition was set the first time my wife bought an actual new car. We were on our way to the dealer to pick up the new one and trade in her old beater when it blew a rod on me, and pulled into the dealer parking lot smoking.

IMO, EVs either need a cheaper upfront price, more charging stations and quicker charging, or way longer range in general for them to have a clear advantage vs gas cars today.

The Chevy Bolt seems quite reasonably priced, to me.

But, I agree, the long-distance driving we are all used to is an issue for EVs. This works for my wife because she may be out driving a lot, but she's coming home at the end of the day, and will be able to charge overnight.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

But, I agree, the long-distance driving we are all used to is an issue for EVs. This works for my wife because she may be out driving a lot, but she's coming home at the end of the day, and will be able to charge overnight.

While I commented on the battery issue, I have held off on the EV issue because I don't own one.

I did a bunch of research a little while ago for my next vehicle. Personally, I really wanted to get an EV. The range issue, while real, is overblown. It's similar to the people who have to get Jeep or 4Runner for the hypothetical off-roading when their actual off-roading is a suburban supermarket parking lot.

The majority of people don't drive long distances on the reg- if you do, that's something to consider, but everyone thinks about their occasional trip and doesn't consider that they never drive that far on a daily basis from home to work and back. For them, an EV works, and you can deal with the range easily for the random trip to see family somewhere.

Unfortunately, I have an issue where I have to deal with the occasional evacuation and at present (based on what I know and have experienced) an EV can't quite work, so I am looking at hybrids for the next vehicle purchase.

Anyway, I think you are doing the right thing!

 

[Ryujin]

While I commented on the battery issue, I have held off on the EV issue because I don't own one.

I did a bunch of research a little while ago for my next vehicle. Personally, I really wanted to get an EV. The range issue, while real, is overblown. It's similar to the people who have to get Jeep or 4Runner for the hypothetical off-roading when their actual off-roading is a suburban supermarket parking lot.

The majority of people don't drive long distances on the reg- if you do, that's something to consider, but everyone thinks about their occasional trip and doesn't consider that they never drive that far on a daily basis from home to work and back. For them, an EV works, and you can deal with the range easily for the random trip to see family somewhere.

Unfortunately, I have an issue where I have to deal with the occasional evacuation and at present (based on what I know and have experienced) an EV can't quite work, so I am looking at hybrids for the next vehicle purchase.

Anyway, I think you are doing the right thing!

Rental cars are also a thing, when it comes to the occasional longish trip. Renting one would likely cost less than ongoing ownership of even a beater, what with cost of maintenance and insurance for an entire year.

My research was into electric motorcycles which, quite frankly, scared the beejeezus out of me. Range for daily commuting was more than adequate.

 

[Meech17]

While I commented on the battery issue, I have held off on the EV issue because I don't own one.

I did a bunch of research a little while ago for my next vehicle. Personally, I really wanted to get an EV. The range issue, while real, is overblown. It's similar to the people who have to get Jeep or 4Runner for the hypothetical off-roading when their actual off-roading is a suburban supermarket parking lot.

The majority of people don't drive long distances on the reg- if you do, that's something to consider, but everyone thinks about their occasional trip and doesn't consider that they never drive that far on a daily basis from home to work and back. For them, an EV works, and you can deal with the range easily for the random trip to see family somewhere.

Unfortunately, I have an issue where I have to deal with the occasional evacuation and at present (based on what I know and have experienced) an EV can't quite work, so I am looking at hybrids for the next vehicle purchase.

Anyway, I think you are doing the right thing!

Selling cars taught me a few things.. Many of which it's likely against the rules to post about here..

But one of those things was that people very often buy cars for those 1% fringe cases.

Most parts of the Mid-West see snow.. Typically it's not that much snow, and normal, front-wheel drive cars are fine. The single-digit number of days a year where it snows so bad that you'd actually need AWD/4x4.. It's probably bad enough that you are staying home anyway.

Most people don't need a truck. 99% of the time they're not carrying anything more than a bag.. or some groceries.

Most people don't need a giant, 3-row SUV. 99% of the time they are driving, by themselves, or perhaps one passenger.

But the 1000 times they were able to commute to work in their Ford Focus in an inch of snow by just slowing down a little, and being extra careful doesn't stick out in their memory. They do remember the one singular time it snowed a foot, and they needed to pick up a prescription and couldn't get out of their driveway.

They don't think about the hundreds of grocery trips where everything fit in the trunk of their Honda Accord with room to spare. They do think about that one time they randomly found an insane deal on a floor model couch and wanted to take it home on a whim but couldn't.

The fact that they spend every day commuting by themselves alone in the car doesn't weigh more than that one time their kid wanted to have a sleep over and they had to awkwardly take everyone out for ice cream in two vehicles.

 

[payn]

Selling cars taught me a few things.. Many of which it's likely against the rules to post about here..

But one of those things was that people very often buy cars for those 1% fringe cases.

Most parts of the Mid-West see snow.. Typically it's not that much snow, and normal, front-wheel drive cars are fine. The single-digit number of days a year where it snows so bad that you'd actually need AWD/4x4.. It's probably bad enough that you are staying home anyway.

Most people don't need a truck. 99% of the time they're not carrying anything more than a bag.. or some groceries.

Most people don't need a giant, 3-row SUV. 99% of the time they are driving, by themselves, or perhaps one passenger.

But the 1000 times they were able to commute to work in their Ford Focus in an inch of snow by just slowing down a little, and being extra careful doesn't stick out in their memory. They do remember the one singular time it snowed a foot, and they needed to pick up a prescription and couldn't get out of their driveway.

They don't think about the hundreds of grocery trips where everything fit in the trunk of their Honda Accord with room to spare. That one time they randomly found an insane deal on a floor model couch and wanted to take it home on a whim but couldn't.

The fact that they spend every day commuting by themselves alone in the car doesn't weigh more than that one time their kid wanted to have a sleep over and they had to awkwardly take everyone out for ice cream in two vehicles.

Yeah, my other brothers have ginormo pick ups and they use them maybe once a year for any type of work. They could just have cars and rent a truck the one time a year they need it.

 

[TiQuinn]

nevermind

 

[Meech17]

Yeah, my other brothers have ginormo pick ups and they use them maybe once a year for any type of work. They could just have cars and rent a truck the one time a year they need it.

On the plus side.. Your brothers owning a truck usually makes it easier for you not to own one lmao. It is always nice to know someone with a truck for those 1% occasions

 

[Umbran]

They don't think about the hundreds of grocery trips where everything fit in the trunk of their Honda Accord with room to spare. That one time they randomly found an insane deal on a floor model couch and wanted to take it home on a whim but couldn't.

Yep. What you describe sounds like "Saliency bias". It is the tendency to focus upon items or events that were prominent, or emotionally striking , and to ignore those that are not remarkable.

In a case like this, that bias can lead to you buying a wasteful amount of car.

 

[Umbran]

Rental cars are also a thing, when it comes to the occasional longish trip. Renting one would likely cost less than ongoing ownership of even a beater, what with cost of maintenance and insurance for an entire year.

Yep.

For several years now, we have only had the one car - I was working downtown, and driving into Boston for work is a big hassle, and expensive in parking fees. So, I took public transit. I stopped using my car, which was on its last legs anyway, so we finally just donated the thing.

I got by with a Transit pass, a Zipcar membership, and an occasional Uber. Especially through covid, when I was working entirely remotely, it made good sense.

 

[Clint_L]

In her line of work, a hatchback is absolutely essential, and being smaller is also pretty important - this car will be replacing a Prius c, to give you an idea of what we are looking for.

We are also looking to buy an electric car for our next vehicle, but none of the best small ones are being sold in North America, because car manufacturers think there's little market here for smaller vehicles. It's super annoying.

We were just in Europe last month and there are tons of cool, small EVs that would be perfect for us.