America Has an Answer to the Biggest Problem with EVs
theatlantic.com
America Has an Answer to the Biggest Problem with EVs
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Re: America Has an Answer to the Biggest Problem with EVs
#2> Joe Biden’s climate agenda is all about new-EV sales.
The unstated bit is American new-EV sales.
> Electric vehicles made up about 8 percent of new car sales in the United States last year, compared with more than a quarter in China, where new EVs can go for about $10,000 or less.
Except, we've also made those unaffordable by
> Biden has quadrupled tariffs on electric vehicles from China — from 25% to an eye-watering 100% — in a move designed to bolster U.S. jobs and manufacturing.[1]
If it was all about new-EV sales, we could set the EV tariff to 0%. A $10k vehicle would indeed increase sales in a way that's congruent to a climate agenda that's all about new-EV sales.
The real story is that agendas are a function of politics, but we kind of already know that. The difference in outcomes ie: the differential gain in EVs being driven between these two scenarios is traded away in return for votes.
1. https://www.npr.org/2024/05/14/1251096758/biden-china-tariff...
Re: America Has an Answer to the Biggest Problem with EVs
#3My meta-takeaway is that it behooves* the industry to further standardize on the interfaces between components. That will increase repairability over time when coupled with the correct legislation.
*Based on the current OEM/supplier relationship, network of repair shops, etc. All of the post sales businesses built up to support the initial sale.
Re: America Has an Answer to the Biggest Problem with EVs
#4> Joe Biden’s climate agenda is all about new-EV sales. The unstated bit is American new-EV sales. > Electric vehicles made up about 8 percent of new car sales in the United States last year, compared with more than a quarter in China, where new EVs can go for about $10,000 or less. Except, we've also made those unaffordable by > Biden has quadrupled tariffs on electric vehicles from China — from 25% to an eye-wateri…
You can find balance. You can create a tariff structure where legacy auto is only protected if they’re producing the vehicles at the desired affordable price points. If they don’t produce them at that price point, you let China and BYD steamroll them to deliver the necessary consumer excess and climate goals.
Otherwise, you’re just using regulatory capture to protect legacy auto profits and overly expensive vehicles. Protect US labor (within reason considering the value of a domestic manufacturing base and supply chain), but don’t protect the profits.
Re: America Has an Answer to the Biggest Problem with EVs
#5TL;DR: used EVs are "cheap" these days.
As in, they're finally getting into a sub-$30K range.
Meanwhile, I'm going to drive my 2010 Honda Fit (that I bought for $5K in 2017) practically forever.
I'm making 6 figures as a software engineer, as does my wife. We have no kids.
I have no idea who are these people buying new cars, or who are all these people for whom $30K is "cheap". I can pay that out of pocket, but unless held at gunpoint, I won't.
There are many ways to make EVs marketable, but the key is make them goddamn cheap FFS.
And the answer to that is infrastructure, not technology.
We could make $5K glorified golf carts street-legal, and not requiring a license. For many people, that's enough for their grocery store runs / work / school commute.
Oh, they won't fare well in a collision with F-150? Then maybe we can remove those from the streets outside specific delivery and maintenance hours, and impose a lower speed limit for heavier cars.
That's before we get to the dangerous idea that we could charge the EV's as they go if we put wires into our streets... And perhaps add electronic signaling to make self-driving an easier problem to solve.. Maybe even a guiding rail (or two) to define lanes instead of paint that the weather can strip away...
And if I may dream, this would enable us to replace tyres for traction with higer-efficiency rolling stock, and even link up cars going in the same direction on regular routes to reduce drag (and traffic).
If only! I've lost all hope.
Even thinking about it is tramatizing.
Re: America Has an Answer to the Biggest Problem with EVs
#6> Joe Biden’s climate agenda is all about new-EV sales. The unstated bit is American new-EV sales. > Electric vehicles made up about 8 percent of new car sales in the United States last year, compared with more than a quarter in China, where new EVs can go for about $10,000 or less. Except, we've also made those unaffordable by > Biden has quadrupled tariffs on electric vehicles from China — from 25% to an eye-wateri…
You can find balance. You can create a tariff structure where legacy auto is only protected if they’re producing the vehicles at the desired affordable price points. If they don’t produce them at that price point, you let China and BYD steamroll them to deliver the necessary consumer excess and climate goals. Otherwise, you’re just using regulatory capture to protect legacy auto profits and overly expensive vehicles.…
My point is that the climate is the loser in this story.
Re: America Has an Answer to the Biggest Problem with EVs
#7Earlier quoted context omitted.
You can find balance. You can create a tariff structure where legacy auto is only protected if they’re producing the vehicles at the desired affordable price points. If they don’t produce them at that price point, you let China and BYD steamroll them to deliver the necessary consumer excess and climate goals. Otherwise, you’re just using regulatory capture to protect legacy auto profits and overly expensive vehicles.…
My point is that the climate is the loser in this story.
Always is.
Re: America Has an Answer to the Biggest Problem with EVs
#8https://archive.is/96yi1
I feel what this article fails to mention is how the depreciation of EVs compares to depreciation of gas cars. Apparently, based on google searches, cars depreciate 15% when driven off the lot, and then a further 15% per year after that. So it looks like EVs are depreciating quicker.
This would definitely be a good deal, as they also have lower operating costs.
Re: America Has an Answer to the Biggest Problem with EVs
#9TL;DR: used EVs are "cheap" these days. As in, they're finally getting into a sub-$30K range. Meanwhile, I'm going to drive my 2010 Honda Fit (that I bought for $5K in 2017) practically forever. I'm making 6 figures as a software engineer, as does my wife. We have no kids. I have no idea who are these people buying new cars, or who are all these people for whom $30K is "cheap". I can pay that out of pocket, but unles…
> Oh, they won't fare well in a collision with F-150? Then maybe we can remove those from the streets outside specific delivery and maintenance hours, and impose a lower speed limit for heavier cars.
A few things:
1. We should tax vehicles according to their road damage, i.e., O((weight/axles)^4*axles);
2. Vehicles with bumpers/hoods higher than Xcm should never be allowed in the left lane;
3. Vehicles with gas mileage worse than 3g/100miles shouldn't be allowed to go over 45mph.
My neighbors almost universally run small businesses; and, almost universally, slap their business sticker on their 100k$+ 250s & 350s and then take the whole cost as a "write off" for "tax purposes". If the IRS was doing their jobs, these fuckers wouldn't be on the road — they'd be paying off fines and/or in prison for fraud.
Re: America Has an Answer to the Biggest Problem with EVs
#10TL;DR: used EVs are "cheap" these days. As in, they're finally getting into a sub-$30K range. Meanwhile, I'm going to drive my 2010 Honda Fit (that I bought for $5K in 2017) practically forever. I'm making 6 figures as a software engineer, as does my wife. We have no kids. I have no idea who are these people buying new cars, or who are all these people for whom $30K is "cheap". I can pay that out of pocket, but unles…
> Oh, they won't fare well in a collision with F-150? Then maybe we can remove those from the streets outside specific delivery and maintenance hours, and impose a lower speed limit for heavier cars. A few things: 1. We should tax vehicles according to their road damage, i.e., O((weight/axles)^4*axles); 2. Vehicles with bumpers/hoods higher than Xcm should never be allowed in the left lane; 3. Vehicles with gas milea…
Takes notes
Those ideas read like poetry.