If we incent people to buy electric cars won't that free up more gas?

[craig]

It worked for me and I have not been to a gas station in two years.

 

[Phys251]

It worked for me and I have not been to a gas station in two years.

Careful now. You're making too much sense!

 

[aociswundumho]

Yes, reduced demand will lower the price of gas, which makes it much harder to get people to switch to electric.

 

[switt]

Yeh, I'm a few years

 

[Craig234]

Yes, it will help.

 

[Common Sense 1]

I believe they do that now?

But no one wants them!

 

[jotathought]

My questions would be: how much is a common EV, can the average American afford one and what are the limitations of it (e.g. long road trips)?

 

[Brochacholomigo]

Yes, reduced demand will lower the price of gas, which makes it much harder to get people to switch to electric.

I'm not sure a gallon of gas is capable of getting cheaper than the equivalent EV costs without the rate of profit for oil companies dropping into the negatives. How many cents do you think your car burns per mile? Eight? Ten? Maybe more, depending on how old your car is.

 

[Chillfolks]

If an electric vehicle will meet your needs then it is a great option.

 

[Common Sense 1]

Federal Tax Credits for New All-Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles​

Federal Tax Credit Up To $7,500!​

All-electric and plug-in hybrid cars purchased new in or after 2010 may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500. The credit amount will vary based on the capacity of the battery used to power the vehicle. State and/or local incentives may also apply.


Small neighborhood electric vehicles do not qualify for this credit, but they may qualify for another credit.

Tax Incentives

Find out how you can save money through Federal tax incentives on your purchase of a new plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle!

fueleconomy.gov

 

[aociswundumho]

I'm not sure a gallon of gas is capable of getting cheaper than the equivalent EV costs without the rate of profit for oil companies dropping into the negatives. How many cents do you think your car burns per mile? Eight? Ten? Maybe more, depending on how old your car is.

The problem is fuel isn't the only cost. To get those fuel savings you have to buy an expensive electric vehicle.

 

[phoenix2020]

I've been largely gasoline free, the occasional rental aside, for about 6 years now.

I don't really pay so much attention to gas prices any longer.

That said, I don't drive EVs for environmental or gasoline-avoidance reasons; those are merely icing on the cake and near the bottom of the list of reasons to own an EV.

 

[iguanaman]

It worked for me and I have not been to a gas station in two years.

They are already selling EV's as fast as they can make them. It will take time to ramp up production.

 

[craig]

My questions would be: how much is a common EV, can the average American afford one and what are the limitations of it (e.g. long road trips)?

I have had one for 4 years. Plug it into 110 in my garage. If you drive only 50 miles a day it is almost free.

 

[IQ57]

Colbalt from China
Charging stations
Limited distance
Cost/fixing
Where does the power/electricity come from again?

 

[PeacefulWarrior]

It worked for me and I have not been to a gas station in two years.

I'd support Big Gummint subsidies to buy electric cars.

Actually an EV would work well for me.
I was waiting for battery technology to progress a little more. If the Universe wills it that I still be around I'll have an EV within a few more years.

 

[craig]

Colbalt from China
Charging stations
Limited distance
Cost/fixing
Where does the power/electricity come from again?

Thank god we are good at solving those problems. That is what makes America great. Have not failed yet.

 

[Bullseye]

It worked for me and I have not been to a gas station in two years.

Assuming an infinite supply of EVs that may happen.

 

[Brochacholomigo]

The problem is fuel isn't the only cost. To get those fuel savings you have to buy an expensive electric vehicle.

Fair. Google says that the average price of an EV is just a little more than 10k above the average gasoline vehicle, but the low end EVs like a Nissan Leaf are in the low 20k. If you don't mind a used car, 11 or 12 grand is perfectly possible. I think we're well within the point where an EV is saving you money in the long run, what's probably holding them back is more infrastructure and preexisting car payments. If you ask me, at least.

 

[Simpletruther]

It worked for me and I have not been to a gas station in two years.

If too many start buying too soon the power grid can ot handle it. It will take decades to transition.

 

[IQ57]

Creating more problems to solve problems.

This doesn’t make any sense.

 

[Simpletruther]

The problem is fuel isn't the only cost. To get those fuel savings you have to buy an expensive electric vehicle.

And pay the higher power bills

 

[phoenix2020]

Colbalt from China
Charging stations
Limited distance
Cost/fixing
Where does the power/electricity come from again?

If too many start buying too soon the power grid can ot handle it. It will take decades to transition.

I really wish people would do some simple math to understand the true nature of this "power grid" problem.

Electrifying the ENTIRE US automotive fleet would increase our aggregate demand by about 10%. If we can't do that over a few "decades" then we have bigger problems to deal with than electrification.

 

[LetsGoBrandon]

It worked for me and I have not been to a gas station in two years.

I drive 45,000 miles per year, mostly business related. Not enough infrastructure for electric cars exists for that amount of driving.

 

[phoenix2020]

Creating more problems to solve problems.

This doesn’t make any sense.

Yes, that's because you don't understand the benefits of electrification, such as crash safety, packaging, NVH, expanded use cases due to the presence of a high current bus, improved reliability and lower maintenance, and on and on and on. Since you only see the problems of an emergent technology, and presumably choose to ignore trying to understand what problems are actually getting solved, this will be another new technology that likely will pass you by. That's fine with me, more EV supply for everyone else.