Auto execs are coming clean: EVs aren't working
From GM to Tesla to Mercedes, execs across the auto industry are tempering expectations on electric vehicles.
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At the root of this issue is dealership exclusivity. Otherwise new companies would make them cheaper sell them privately and dominate that market. Tesla did some of this but still wanted to be premium. We need generic Tesla to come out, and the other EV companies are obsessed with premium.
While it's a factor it probably isn't the root of the problem. The problem is car manufacturers are building the cars faster than the market is growing and at high price points than consumers want in a time of economic difficulty and inflation.
We're still seeing build out of electric infrastructure, expensive cars vs petrol cars, and a relatively small second hand market (which also drives infrastructure expansion). It also doesn't help that countries are pushing back promises to ban non-EV car sales. Dealership monopolies certainly exacerbate all those problems.
This story headline is nonsense though. EVs are working and are growing. The story is actually that car companies have made expensive attempts at grabbing market share which haven't worked and are now counting the costs. They're delaying the rate of growth in production, not reducing production - significant difference.
The problem is charging. Wven if you being out entry level ev chars people want. Where will people who don't own a home charge them ?
Imagine working a 9 hour shift plus your commute and then having to drive out of your way for a public charging place. Then wait 45mins + for an 80% charge. Then imagine the few charging spots at the location being full so you have to wait even longer to charge it
I think the pricing is actually fine for the cars because people who are going to actually buy an ev would be shopping for an ice car in the same proce range. Those who would buy a lower price range would face way more hurdles while owning an ev
I have a buddy who does this and it’s not as bad as you make it seem. Once a week or so, he goes to a supercharger for an hour or so to top off. Obviously it all depends on your daily usage and the range of the vehicle but it’s just not this huge personal tragedy people describe it as. It’s a minor hassle to sit around for an hour once a week
It’s an hour I would have had to spend doing anything else though, and with limited time already I’d rather not spend an hour sat doing nothing waiting for my car to charge.
I'm sure that's a factor, but I'm pretty skeptical that it's the root