I was an EV skeptic. Maybe even a bit of a hater. WHAT ABOUT THE RANGE?! THEY WON’T WORK IN WINTER! WHAT ABOUT THE RESALE VALUE? THEY HAVE NO SOUL!
Consider me converted. I’ve spent quite a bit of time recently as a driver and passenger in a new Tesla and I’m now convinced that EVs are inevitable. It’s simply a superior transportation device for 99% of use cases. I’ll explain why in a bit.
First let me say this: I am a hardcore automotive enthusiast… have been since I was a small child. I subscribed to every car magazine and read them all cover to cover. I went to car shows, I went to car college, and worked in car dealerships for 17 years.
I love cars and motorcycles. I love driving. I love old cars… cars with character and texture. I love manual transmissions. I love intake and exhaust sounds, supercharger whine, turbo whistling. I’ve had 10 or so different motorcycles, and even did a season of racing at Race City. I love the growl my V8 Lexus makes when I accelerate on an on-ramp. It’s a 20 year old truck, and what I love most about it is that it’s an analog vehicle. It’s simple and mechanical and it’s built to last. I’ve been fantasizing a lot about buying a Miata or S2000 and taking road trips through BC, just for the driving pleasure. I still plan to do that.
But…
Have you experienced a Tesla? The silent but shocking acceleration, the futuristic interface… no buttons, no vents. If that wasn’t already enough, press that icon that says “start full self driving” and prepare to have the flabber ghasted right out of you. The car drives itself with an ease and accuracy that will have you swear that there is an expert human driver piloting it remotely. It doesn’t matter the road or the situation… it handles it all. Put in your destination and it will safely take you all the way there, find a parking spot, and reverse into it. If you’ve not experienced it, you owe it to yourself to book a demo. It will change your perspective. It changed mine. I’ve been a bit of a luddite with my resistance to AI, but this is an AI use case that I fully support. An AI driver for your car. Then for a laugh, try the Actual Smart Summon. The car will leave the parking spot and drive itself to your location while onlookers do confused double takes.
But it doesn’t have to be a Tesla. The Koreans have some quite attractive offerings, and so does GM. Soon you may be able to choose from a few different Chinese options as well. None of these offer Tesla’s FSD capabilities, but most all of them offer a more practical and affordable solution to MOST of the driving that you are likely to do. Commuting, shopping, taking the kids to school and volleyball practice… You’ll simply be better off with an EV. I believe that drivers will all inevitably come to this conclusion. The conclusion comes more conclusively when you’re paying a buck eighty five for a litre of fuel. You could be paying a dollar or two a day to recharge. But it’s not just the fuel savings… EVs need very little maintenance. No fluid changes, no filters. Brakes last way longer due to regenerative braking. You will go through tires more quickly, but the other savings cancel that expense out several times over.
It’s more than just ownership cost. It’s convenience. Drive around all day, plug in at night, start tomorrow with a full battery. Never pump gas. It’s performance. Instant torque, low center of gravity, dual motor AWD traction if you go that route.
They simply make more sense for most scenarios.
In a perfect world I’d have this 3 car garage:
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Tesla for commuting, real-estating, running errands. 97% of driving.
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2006 LX470 for long trips, pulling the camper, carrying heavy loads and kids and loads of kids
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Sports car for pure pleasure driving. A Miata or S2000 would be perfect.
If you can only have 1 car, the EV is most likely still better. For those rare times when one needs a truck, one can rent or borrow. If you use your truck every day for truck stuff, you’re an exception… this isn’t for you. But for everyone else, the EV makes more sense.
What about the range?
Not an issue. Most new EVs offer 3-400kms in normal driving.
What about winter? They’ve got great grip, a low CofG and instant cabin heat without the need to idle the engine for 10 minutes. Never a risk of not starting. Range suffers in the cold, but not enough to really matter.
What about the resale value? Well, poor resale value presents an opportunity to get a great deal on a used one. And makes an argument in favor of leasing.
What about the soul? You won’t get the mechanical feedback and satisfaction you’d get from driving a traditional sports car, but you’ll have Tron mode. And you’ll be able to beat pretty much anything in a drag race. And otherwise, who cares? Most of your driving is monotonous commuting and running errands.
I think most of my resistance to EVs was not to the cars themselves, but to the coercion from the state to own one. EV quotas were a bad idea… I’d guess that they inadvertently pushed more people away from EVs than into them. And worst of all, they were unnecessary; the free market is offering a selection of great products. I like free markets, I like choice. I think more and more people will choose EVs once they’ve experienced them. The technology has progressed by leaps and bounds and will continue to improve.
