I feel like the prices on electric vehicles are starting to become their biggest hurdle (instead of range, availability, or charging which are solved enough). If you're from California or New York, I'm sure $40K starting for this or a Model Y seems complexly within your means, but there's a large chunk of the US (by population AND land) where People love to spam $40K US "average" while entirely ignoring that the aver…
New prices are quite prohibitive but the state of things actually isn't the worst for used EVs if you can stomach low range. My family does a two-car approach: 1. Hybrid SUV for actually getting places and moving things 2. ~$4k a used 2013 Smart car. ~45 mile range is good enough for short commute, grocery runs, etc. Charge at home or at work (we have the uncommon situation of no charging at home since we live in a c…
Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4
221–230 of 650 posts
Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4
#222Earlier quoted context omitted.
Isn't this short term thinking? That is the upfront cost. What about the total lifetime cost of the vehicle?
Oh, oh, I can answer this, given ownership of a ten year old Leaf ($35K) and a fifteen year old Scion xB/rebadged Toyota Echo ($20K): the $20K car is still going to win in TCO. Because the Leaf already starts out $15K in the hole. That's a lot of oil and coolant changes. That's a lot of brake pads. And those are pretty much the three things an ICE needs done versus BEV. After 100K miles, the Scion needed a $1500 clut…
You left out the very important and difference making cost of gasoline. Which over 10 years of driving would more than make up the difference in cost.
Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4
#223Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4
#224I'm puzzled why EVs are so expensive when they have simpler design and parts. Is it because of the battery? Also, isn't EMF radiation an issue for you?
Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4
#225Earlier quoted context omitted.
The "problem" in the US is the cheap gas, at least compared to EU. Taxing gas according to the CO2 cost would make it drastically different in TCO.
Half of the US population lives paycheck to paycheck and they need cars. I'm not sure their minimum wage can afford them carbon taxes.
Not sure that matters when their house is burning down in the much more common forest fires or flooding due to more extreme storms.
Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4
#226Earlier quoted context omitted.
Battery cooling? Cabin ventilation? A/C condenser? Front brake cooling?
The ev car grills are aesthetic only. They are sealed.
I'm simply giving reasons why an EV might have a front air intake with a grill.
Given the location of this stuff, I could easily see some cars using the area-formerly-used-for-the-radiator for other things.
Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4
#227Here is a great no frills review of the ID.4 https://youtu.be/3oC9sUiwyL8 The TL;DR is even if its electric its not a serious competitor to tesla. The UI is terrible as the drive is unable to find a charger while navigating to their destination. Electric car charging stations are going to look completely different the gas stations as they costs a few thousand dollars to install rather than a cool million for a gas st…
I just bought (co-bought) a Model Y, and and the Supercharger network meant that other electric cars were non-starters. Hyundai and Kia, for example, have Model Y competitors, but when I was looking at them, both directed would-be buyers to PlugShare.com for for non-local charging information: I invite anyone to look at that solution, and then look at the Supercharger solution.
I also live in an apartment building, and my building is supposed to install 240v chargers sometime in the next few months. Most of the buildings around me already have them, mostly operated by Chargepoint, but a few by Blink: the change from "can't own an electric car in an apartment building" to "most apartment buildings have chargers" is happening and happening faster than many thought. Once people get used to charging cars at home, as a primary solution, I doubt they're going to want to go back to gas stations.
The best ads for electric cars are the cars themselves. Most of my local friends have driven mine.
Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4
#228Earlier quoted context omitted.
The "problem" in the US is the cheap gas, at least compared to EU. Taxing gas according to the CO2 cost would make it drastically different in TCO.
Half of the US population lives paycheck to paycheck and they need cars. I'm not sure their minimum wage can afford them carbon taxes.
The optimal solution for that is better city and regional planning so waitresses and the like can find low cost housing near work and for it to be generally viable to make life work without a car.
Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4
#229Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yea, I had a ID.4 pre-ordered but canceled it after I realized how absurd the price is. I bought a utility e-bike instead and that was probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I barely use my car anymore and biking is way more fun and greener than any car.
I'm looking to do a similar thing. What was the e-bike you ultimately ended up getting?
I bought the Radwagon and it's been amazing! Pretty much a second car for my family.
Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4
#230I feel like the prices on electric vehicles are starting to become their biggest hurdle (instead of range, availability, or charging which are solved enough). If you're from California or New York, I'm sure $40K starting for this or a Model Y seems complexly within your means, but there's a large chunk of the US (by population AND land) where People love to spam $40K US "average" while entirely ignoring that the aver…
I’m not sure the larger batteries are even necessary. With an EV you can start each day fully charged. You just need enough battery to handle your daily commute and the few errands. What’s missing is something to handle those few occasions when you need to drive that extra distance. It seems kind of silly to try and cram that extra flexibility into the same vehicle.
> What’s missing is something to handle those few occasions when you need to drive that extra distance. It seems kind of silly to try and cram that extra flexibility into the same vehicle.
I wouldn't be surprised if rental battery trailers become a big thing due to that.
When using the EV for every-day stuff the internal batteries will be enough. Going on a long trip? Add a battery trailer for more range and extra cargo/baggage space.