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Comment Re: Chargers can be moved. (Score 1) 283

I'm not seeing how that applies as a response to my post then. There's 4 cars there, presumably one wants to charge all of them if they're EVs?
Also, nothing says that you need to replace all 4 (or more?) with EVs at the same time. Logical move would be to replace 1, get used to it, and if it works out well, consider a 2nd.

Comment Same solution as with ICE (Score 1) 283

Actually, the solution to those problems is basically the same as if you have an ICE car with less than a quarter tank left. Stop and refuel/recharge at a supercharger or similar. It will just probably cost a bit more than home electricity, but get you back on the road in about 15 minutes.
Emergency at night: call an ambulance for a medical emergency.
Or realize, oh wait, I still have 200 miles left because I didn't run the EV down to darn near empty.
Your MIL in the next province needs immediate help? How about calling somebody local before you go driving the 3-4 hours it will take to drain the battery and almost certainly require a fill up with a gas vehicle.

Comment Re:Chargers can be moved. (Score 1) 283

Slower charging is generally good for the battery.
Unlike gas pumps, the EV charges while you do something else.
So as long as it can match the driving load, it is all good.
Drive the average 40 mile total commute, even a 120V outlet can do around 4.5 mph. So in less than 10 hours one can be fully charged again.
A 30A@240V circuit could do this with 4 cars.

Comment Re:Chargers can be moved. (Score 1) 283

As said, you can charge at 6kW without significant modifications.
Slow charging is generally better for batteries, remember?
Also, EVs can be smart and divy up the supply intelligently.
6kW is roughly 18 miles of range per hour.
That is 180 miles in a 10 hour period.
So, even if you have 4 vehicles to charge, how likely is it that they average 200+ miles a day? 50 miles per car? I barely average 12 with mine.

Finally, nothing stopping you from getting 1-2 EVs and keeping the rest gas for the moment.
Plus, the more cars you have, the more likely somebody has access to a charger(or will have access) while out and about.

Comment Making an EV go faster (Score 1) 283

Generally speaking, making an EV go faster would start with just buying a sporty EV. Then installing grippier tires, because EVs just have so much torque that they'll beat drastically more expensive ICE sports cars off the line.
Modding an EV to be faster, not from the factory? That might come up eventually, but would be beefing up the electronics to be able to deliver more and higher voltage to the motors, and replacing the motors with more powerful units.
But that still runs into that many EVs can absolutely smoke tires as is. They don't need more power.

Comment Re:Same as it ever was (Score 1) 283

If you're living in an apartment with no garage, how are you doing an oil change yourself? Most places don't let you work on a car out in the open.
It's also like boasting about how you only need to wind your mechanical watch once a day so it is superior to a electric quartz that only needs a new battery once a year.
Maintaining an ICE might be pretty easy (I've done my own work for years except when a special has the dealer doing it for less), but the point is that maintaining an EV is even easier.
No need to regularly change the oil at 5-10k miles. No sparkplugs to change. Cabin air filter only, which can generally be done just by replacing it from the glove box (every car is different though). No need to replace the alternator.
Brakes and rotors generally last orders of magnitude longer due to regenerative braking. So that maintenance goes from a regular event to maybe once in the car's life.
Power steering pump? That isn't what I'd call routine maintenance.
Most CANNOT replace that in their driveway or garage.
No, not "everything" has to be done at the dealer or "authorized" shop. Tire places can still replace the tires and do work in the wheel area, like brake jobs if that becomes necessary.
Computers? ICE tends to have almost as many of them as EVs. And they're just as easy (or not) to swap. I've read about F-150 headlights that need dealer programming to replace correctly.
Not have a car with a in-dash computer: almost impossible today, EV or ICE.
Closest thing to what you say today would actually be the proposed Slate EV.

Comment Re:Same as it ever was (Score 1) 283

If one buys an EV then loses their job, many of the same problems apply to an ICE vehicle, making that payment. In any case, charge at home instead, use supercharger stations around, etc... Like learning where to best fill up with gasoline for a different job location.
BYD didn't so much chose to not build a factory here as they are blocked from doing so.
More and more used EVs are hitting the market.

Comment Re:Same as it ever was (Score 1) 283

Lots of people already own their home. So no need to buy out a lease.
Even if they are renting, may landlords would not object to an upgrade.
Besides, we're still at that an extension cord out of an ordinary outlet works for many.
Nirvana fallacy - it does not have to work for 100% of people to still be a valid solution for many.

Comment Don't need to be idiots (Score 1) 283

Consider that there are going to be people who less "want" a new car than "need" a new car, due to things like accidents, family changes, wear and tear rendering a car unreliable, etc...
Then there are people who have the disposable funds who have decided it is time.
Basically, people buying new cars is continuous. What the war on Iran and subsequent oil price increase has done is make more of them look at the cost of the gasoline chugging vehicles against EVs and decide to go with the EV, because we don't know how long it will last.

For somebody who was going to buy a new vehicle this quarter anyways, going with an EV will likely work out just fine.

I already own a hybrid. This is not causing me to rush out to buy an EV.

I am seeing fewer pickups and SUVs on the road though.

Comment Re:Same as it ever was (Score 3, Informative) 283

Your entire post assumes the intelligence and foresight of a potato on the part of the buyer.
Get someone to install a decent charger at home: View it as part of the purchase price of the car, if one even needs it. Many can actually charge enough using a standard outlet, and in some areas the dryer and/or electric panel is right in the garage, so a bigger charger isn't hard. Most home chargers are just fancy cables anyways, the car's on board charger does the heavy lifting.
Drive to the office on lowish battery: Didn't plug it in the last 3 days or so, I guess?
Find out the office doesn't have a single charger: One would think one would know this before they bought the car. Alternatively, I know of people who bought an EV because their work not only has chargers, but they're free, so don't have to pay for gas or electricity.
Limp home: Alternatively, they can use an extension cord to a convenience outlet outside to get 30-40 miles over a 8 hour shift even if there aren't any dedicated EV charging outlets, or visit a fast charging station. Cost a bit more money, but that's like getting gas just outside an airport due to poor planning.
Replacing the battery: The official lifespan of an EV battery today is 8-15 years (and the 8 years is getting old). Seriously, it's like planning to replace the engine in an ICE car at this point. Does it happen to a percentage of vehicles? Yes, but most ICE vehicles never see a replacement engine. Neither will most EV cars.
Month to get a "shipment of batteries" - no, it is more like a week in most cases. Replacement is rare enough that yes, sourcing an OEM replacement can be tough at times, but I've also seen ICE vehicles grounded for months because of lack of parts.
In addition, replacing the battery is unlikely to be a "sudden" requirement. It'd be like elective surgery, schedulable.
Meanwhile, if one has one of the more common EV models, rebuilt batteries are more and more available.
And no, not every small shop will work on them, but a quick search showed 4 shops that explicitly work on EVs but are not dealers within 30 miles of me. Meanwhile, there's less need on average for work anyways. Your favorite shop can still probably work on the brakes, suspension, and such. Tire shops have zero concerns. Etc...

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