Harry Metcalfe's adventures in electric car charging for an example.
I think ol Harry went a lil heavy on the hyperbole. I watched the Jaguar episode and I think he's a bit of a lier too. Out of order issues I have: Pulls into a Tesla station makes a big deal that "there is no one there" but there are two cars charging. Ok, there are more open. Pulls into a station that's full. Now that was just him passing by. Why go there if it's full? Oh right he didnt look on the dash if the station was available.
I know it's so hard to program a tv now their making you do a small one in your car with frequent and favorite charge stations. But then he makes a big deal of creating an account and downloading an app.
I admit that if you can't go online and fill in your name and address your sunk because while some will send you a card you still need an account. I also admit if you can't download an app good luck in the real world. This is why I suggested the exclusive charge network not because of lack of capacity but conveniently taking away signing up for third party companies.
grossly outpaced infrastructure growth
I don't know I drove a Tesla X through Northern California from San Francisco to Napa didn't have an issue. The partner has a Nissan Leaf and I went half with my plug in Clarity. Denver to Boulder yeah it's liberal but plenty of open chargers. I think it's that people just like saying infrastructure.
Of course it’s hard to compare since gas/electricity prices fluctuate.
Harry actually did a good job of it
means government is going to start introducing some sort of extra tax on EVs to make up that difference making running costs much closer than they are now. (Oregon already tried to do this a few years ago because of hybrids)
Your right and that worry that they might is much more fear inducing than the tax you pay at the pump because it hasn't happened for the vast majority and you'd pay it in a lump.
Ignoring that even 10 mins is still roughly twice the time it takes me to refill the 20 gallon tank in the Xterra, you are assuming at-home charging. That’s a major barrier to EV adoption, many people don’t have anywhere to put a charger, like me for example.
I agree if you live in an apartment without an EV charging garage it's not right for you. As far as the charge time, you get a coffee, take a poo... I'm not saying it isn't a change in routine if your charging out of your home area. That said it's not as prohibitive a time suck; consider that Alex Roy did the Cannonball run in 50 hours, and a
Swiss family in a Tesla did it in 48.
EVs are simply too expensive up front compared (I’m ignoring govt rebate/credit since they are poised to run out soon).
Why are they going to run out? I mean yes Tesla and GM have met the 200,000 sold but Nissan’s full incentive should remain in effect at least until 2021.
Beyond that, the next closest current EV makers, BMW and Volkswagen, should retain their full credits through 2023. Even with other brands getting into the EV business in earnest over the coming years, most automakers should be eligible for the tax bonus through at least through 2024 or 2025.
My boyfriend's Leaf cost about 21k with tax credits the
similarly spec Versa would have been 24k (alot of bundled options on the Leaf that wouldn't be found on base Versa)
--- where I'm coming from
GM is hyping their EV tech because Wall Street is looking at them as America's only hope. My point is sell their stock now or if you believe 30. I don't think they have a trick up their sleeve just incremental improvement.
The arguments against EV cars comes down to style and convenience... if you like grills or want to make it an inconvenience like Harry it won't really work for you.
GM styling is a personal taste but they should be working on convenience.