I owned EV from 2000-2012. It was excellent. It was less noisy that gasoline powered alternatives, no fumes while running the vehicle, never needed engine tine up, or changing filters. Yes, it was my EZ-GO golf card powered by batteries. When my 18 holes round was over, I drove into the cart barn, hooked up to the charger. Next morning my EV was ready for another round of 18 holes.
You highlight the problem - they’re great WHERE THE APPLICATION FITS. It’s the same reason I went with all battery powered lawn equipment. With 4 batteries and 2 chargers I can work all day without running out of charge.
Snow blower, lawn mower, chainsaw, hedge trimmer, edge trimmer, leaf blower, ...no hassles, just drop in a battery and go - any battery (varying capacities) to any device. No oil changes, carb-rebuilds, replacing old gas, no pull-starting an engine that refuses to start - just as you’re looking to get something done.
We usually have a ‘his car and her car’ plus a (Michigan) beater vehicle to do all the crappy around town miles, suck up the salt and pot holes...keeping the other two nice. I can see myself getting an EV for this role - because the APPLICATION MEETS THE NEED.
The battery technology will continue to improve, so they’ll align with more and more people. It’s inevitable - but isn’t for everyone yet, maybe they’ll never completely replace ICE engines.