They are only expensive up front. When you account for maintenance and the difference between the cost of gas and the cost of electricity, a lot of electrics come out well ahead within several years of purchase. That’s also not counting the societal costs in health issues, premature death, and the geopolitical turmoil caused by dependance on oil.
Not that electrics are a panacea for the societal costs of automobiles. Micro particles from tire wear is still a big issue, and rare earth minerals have geopolitical consequences of their own. But, on balance, electrics are cheaper for individuals and for society.
Thing is, I do so little driving I wouldn’t recoup costs through cheaper fuel when car costs so much more upfront.
If anyone can make EV for same price as ICE and isn’t 5 levels worse, I’d totally go electric. Instead I rather keep on driving 15 years old car that works flawlessly and I basically have no extra expenses with it other than fuel and oil and oil filter once a year that I replace myself.
If you have a 15 year old car that works flawlessly then, for environmental purposes, you should absolutely drive it into the ground. Unless it starts having problems that lead to accelerated emissions, the environmental impact of scrapping it and building a new electric will outweigh the benefits of driving an electric. What I’m saying is intended for someone buying a new vehicle.
It sounds like you are a pretty responsible car owner. For people prone to neglecting propper maintenance, electrics have an even bigger advantage. For someone who knows how to care for aged vehicles and is prone to actually doing it, buying a used vehicle to save it from the scrapyard can be more responsible than buying a new electric.
What’s frustrating though is the persistent myth that electrics are impractical because of cost. Every study I’ve seen shows a lower average cost of ownership and operation for electric than gas when comparing comparable years and models.
They are only expensive up front. When you account for maintenance and the difference between the cost of gas and the cost of electricity, a lot of electrics come out well ahead within several years of purchase. That’s also not counting the societal costs in health issues, premature death, and the geopolitical turmoil caused by dependance on oil.
Not that electrics are a panacea for the societal costs of automobiles. Micro particles from tire wear is still a big issue, and rare earth minerals have geopolitical consequences of their own. But, on balance, electrics are cheaper for individuals and for society.
Thing is, I do so little driving I wouldn’t recoup costs through cheaper fuel when car costs so much more upfront.
If anyone can make EV for same price as ICE and isn’t 5 levels worse, I’d totally go electric. Instead I rather keep on driving 15 years old car that works flawlessly and I basically have no extra expenses with it other than fuel and oil and oil filter once a year that I replace myself.
If you have a 15 year old car that works flawlessly then, for environmental purposes, you should absolutely drive it into the ground. Unless it starts having problems that lead to accelerated emissions, the environmental impact of scrapping it and building a new electric will outweigh the benefits of driving an electric. What I’m saying is intended for someone buying a new vehicle.
It sounds like you are a pretty responsible car owner. For people prone to neglecting propper maintenance, electrics have an even bigger advantage. For someone who knows how to care for aged vehicles and is prone to actually doing it, buying a used vehicle to save it from the scrapyard can be more responsible than buying a new electric.
What’s frustrating though is the persistent myth that electrics are impractical because of cost. Every study I’ve seen shows a lower average cost of ownership and operation for electric than gas when comparing comparable years and models.