EVs are basically a toy for well-off people who can charge at home. For everyone else, there's no logical reason to buy one, unless you're a confirmed masochist.
@lauren Premise 1: you are correct that a substantial portion of the population can’t use EVs because they can’t rationally charge them.
Premise 2: universal adoption of EVs would significantly help with climate change, air pollution, etc.
Question: what should be done, other than bemoaning Premise 1? (N.B. I’m reasonably well off but cannot rationally charge an EV, so I don’t have one. I regard that as a problem, since I also accept Premise 2.)
@SteveBellovin @lauren If you can charge at home, the time savings are surprising ... no more trips to the gas stations, no more waiting in line. I have an EV and didn't expect that bonus. In California, no more smog checks, no stealable catalytic converters, no oil changes also add up. The terror of annual registration vanishes.
@lou @SteveBellovin @lauren And even more freeloading on others for the cost of road maintenance!
@oclsc @lou @SteveBellovin @lauren
Gas taxes haven't been enough to pay for roads for a while now. I thought most people knew this.
@plasma4045 @lou @SteveBellovin @lauren Speaking as a lifelong non-motorist, believe me, I know that. But even that contribution fades away with EVs. Maybe that will finally spur a more-sensible funding model, like something that taxes vehicles by usage and axle load.
@oclsc @lou @SteveBellovin @lauren
The adjustment has already been happening. Some combination of weight and miles driven would make sense IMO.
> Most states now levy a dedicated fee on electric vehicle owners. Some also have rolled back other incentives, such as New Jersey’s decision this year to restart sales tax on EVs. Or they have reconfigured registration fees to land more heavily on EVs, as in Maryland.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/14/ev-fees-states-energy-00168976
@oclsc @SteveBellovin @lauren Exactly, me too.
@lou @SteveBellovin Try it somewhere where the temperature can be over 100F or even 110F for days or weeks on end. Or in very cold climates. Watch how long that battery lasts before it goes poof, not to mention the range contraction day to day.