EV movement to the forefront was orchestrated by the government, not the companies, but they then said “we have started investments of X billion dollars into EV.” Sudden change of heart.
So the most important point here is: when was the last time the DC and urban Dem governments on the coasts cared a whit about the flyover country yokels in the other states? Never.
How about those customers who just DON’T WANT ONE?
The powergrid isn’t ready for them and no one wants them.
I drive a F-150. Company car. Drove 46000 miles last year, about 30% pulling a 7000 pound trailer. Zero interest in electric.
When the weather is nice and I don't have to haul stuff around, the garage has 9 motorcycles that meet a wide range of transportation needs. The big V twins are long distance freeway bikes. The Kawasaka Versys and Honder CTX700 are freeway capable medium distance commuters. In town, the Yamaha SR400 gets 66 MPG on regular gas. The DR650SE is a dual sport. Fast enough for the freeway and capable of doing some serious offroad.
During my extended business trip to San Diego, I took one of Versys/Sportster/Fat Bob/DR650SE along on a trailer behind the 1999 F150. All of my commuting (60,000+ miles) was spread mainly across the Versys/Sportster/Fat Bob. The F150 racked up 50 miles a month after single day transits between San Diego/Pocatello of 925 miles.
I entertained the possibility of buying on the the Zero electric bikes. For the daily commute to work of 15 miles, it would have been fine. The path was down a 4 lane city street with 45 MPH max speed. It would have been far less satisfactory for riding out to Julian with a nominal 90 mile round trip up mountains with twisty roads. The Versys handled that perfectly and delivered 53 MPG.
When EVs can do that (even if it's 400 miles rather than 810) I might consider one.
Until then,no thanks!
let the auto companies build the cars and trucks that the customers actually want and we’d see a lot of 30+MPG diesel-electric hybrid trucks without all that ultra-low emissions garbage stuck on them on the road, but the government can’t allow that. We’d also see a lot of small trucks (that would get 40+mpg when not under load, but the diesel rules and CAFE standards effectively eliminated that body type from the market.
I liked the “range up to 300 miles” part. Yeah, like under optimal conditions, which never happen. In the winter figure at least a 20% reduction in range right off the bat. In reality you’re looking at maybe 250 miles then get ready to set on your ass for 40 minutes at a “fast” charger so you can go another 250 miles.
I’ve got a RAM 1500 with the 5.7 motor that will get me over 400 miles on a tank AND takes 2 minutes and 53 seconds to put in exactly 22 gallons of gas and off I go. Build an electric truck that will do that at a competitive price and I might take a look otherwise they’re just an expensive virtue signaling novelty.
I agree with Jim Farley. Not everyone needs or wants an EV vehicle.
“not all of its customers are ready to make the transition, due to their specific needs.”
DUH.
Way too many people opinionating about EVs fail to acknowledge: hey, they’re not for everyone.
EVs are a great advancement in automotive technology. There’s a lot going for them. They’ll darned near pay for themselves in Atlanta; then again, they’re not going to do well in rural NY in winter - and that’s OK, just pick whatever vehicle works for you.
Too many are emotionally vested in a decisive win/loss for EVs.
They’re cars. Buy what you like, recognize that what works for you doesn’t work for everyone.
And yes, gasoline cars do burn up too. Mine did.
Have to look at Ford stock tomorrow. It’s near it’s 52 week high, P/E over 28, so not an easy buy decision. But I’ll do some research.
Opposed piston engines.
I hear from some that some of the car manufacturers are tooling up for them.
Until you have an electric vehicle that can go 300-400 miles in all temps and Richard for another 300-400 miles in less than 10 minutes, it’s a non starter other than a commuter vehicle.
Alleged Ford quote: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”
We got the Model T instead.
Faster horses would have been pretty cool.
When GM switches to all-electric, I’ll become a Ford customer.
Whoever wants EV could have it...NOT ME.
As usual, Lefties have NO foresight.
Think about the cumbersome stopping to have the freakin’ car CARGED, instead of just stopping for gas...which is a pain, but far less of a pain that...getting CHARGED.
And, of course, the overload on the electric system.
These are supposed to be brilliant people. Are they serious?
I think NOT.
So far the the clear majority of car buyers have no desire to own or depend on an electric vehicle. Despite coercive government policies Ford and GM will go broke since the huge capital investment in electric vehicles will never return a profit or even cover the cost of the investment.
Even in “urban” environments there are limitations that will kill profitability. Take the taxi industry. To remain profitable most cabs have to be in operation almost constantly with different shifts of drivers. the cost of EVs are almost 2x the cost of comparable vehicles with internal combustion engines. How will a company make a profit if the vehicle is down 8 hours a day to recharge? The cost of a cab ride goes up, less usage, less money.
If a person must depend on his vehicle to be ready when he may need or want it, they will become inherently frustrated with EVs.
At least once a month I will put over a thousand miles on my vehicle(s) on a 3 or 4 day weekend going to very remote areas. EVs just can’t handle that.