“I just don’t get some of the hate i read on some of my favorite conservative sites.”
Sorry, count me in on that. My problems are two-fold - first the subsidies that they got (even if later repaid) meant that they used the government for initial development, whereas everyone else has to present a convincing case to the private sector. And second, the way we’re getting pushed by the government...to force EVs on literally everyone, particularly when their driving cost ‘savings’ can only be justified by artificially fuel prices, given what’s in store as we go to ‘Green Energy’. Example, in Germany electricity now costs 37 cents per kWh, more than 3 times the US average - that’s our future and at that price there isn’t even a per-mile saving for an EV.
As to ‘saving the planet’, that’s pretty lame. If you want to save the planet, then the way to do that is to pack everyone into small apartments in cities and make it next to impossible to drive a car, any car...and to glassify China and India (and Russia, for that matter), because they’re not playing ball on this Green New Deal stuff. If you ignore them...then what the West does is in the noise, since they have about 3 billion people (plus most of the Third World), compared to our side having under 1 billion.
So, bottom line:
1. Tesla and other companies should be and are free to make EVs, but not with financing from the same government that gave us Solyndra.
2. When the MARKETPLACE determines we should transition to EVs (or a mix of EVs and ICE’s), then it’s fine by me. But NO PUSHING the outcome - each must stand on its own and make the case.
3. We also don’t like people talking down to us, telling us to “Get with it, EVs are the future”. Maybe they are the future, but if it’s due to EVs being forced on us, then it’s a pretty shitty future and we’ll continue to fight to prevent it.
As to your vehicle, much can be done, or is being done already in ICE cars, such as remote starting for warm-up and defrost, TV of course, Alarm systems and cameras. While I agree that ICE vehicles have more maintenance (such as oil changes and trans fluid), Teslas do have friction brakes and while they may not get as much use, they have to be maintained, along with cabin air filters (which I hope they have). Overall, that part of the savings is quite modest compared to the other costs associated with both types of cars.
Agree on SpaceX, by the way.
As to Musk on Twitter...good to hear!
“So, bottom line:
1. Tesla and other companies should be and are free to make EVs, but not with financing from the same government that gave us Solyndra.”
I agree with this, sure – but would you turn it down as a startup if it was available? I believe oil is continuasly subsidized in one way or the other as well, a semi direct link to ICE based manufacturers. What about the bailouts? I think we agree that those were unfortunate.
“2. When the MARKETPLACE determines we should transition to EVs (or a mix of EVs and ICE’s), then it’s fine by me. But NO PUSHING the outcome - each must stand on its own and make the case.”
Tesla doesn’t push it other than on free twitter and word of mouth. They don’t even have a marketing dept. let alone a woke one pushing weird woke couple crap through my TV and internet.
“3. We also don’t like people talking down to us, telling us to “Get with it, EVs are the future”. Maybe they are the future, but if it’s due to EVs being forced on us, then it’s a pretty shitty future and we’ll continue to fight to prevent it.”
I wanted a custom plate that said COALPWR (it was taken- EV driver probably). I get it on this one. I am not an ECO nut – a steward of course, but that wasn’t in the calculation. Geekiness and quickness were my biggest purchase factors. Plus the novelty at the time (2019). But i will forever have 1 electric in the stable now- I’m sold. I just wish my wife didn’t make me sell my mint Dodge Stealth RT Twin Turbo AWD to get it. That is a regret, but this thing blows the doors off it - at zero to 60 in 3.1, the Stealth just felt slow at 4.8 seconds. I only miss driving manuals now.
“As to your vehicle, much can be done, or is being done already in ICE cars, such as remote starting for warm-up and defrost, TV of course, Alarm systems and cameras. While I agree that ICE vehicles have more maintenance (such as oil changes and trans fluid), Teslas do have friction brakes and while they may not get as much use, they have to be maintained, along with cabin air filters (which I hope they have). Overall, that part of the savings is quite modest compared to the other costs associated with both types of cars.”
I forgot about the cabin filters – yea that sucks – about 15$ on amazon but a pain to install. I still need to do mine as we speak. As for brakes – I rarely use them – the regen on the motors becomes natural quickly, their regen implementation is a powerful, smooth stopper and adjustable. One ranger I chatted with said the biggest thing he recommends users do is slam on them once in a while to kick out the cobwebs/rust. Some estimates say an average user would not need new rotors brakes for up to 350,000 miles.
I appreciate the chance to have nice natured discussions on this stuff. Thanks BobL
I would also ask – biggest of all – the commitment to Made in USA? – parts and assembly - Is that not a huge positive for your calculus?
Agree on SpaceX, by the way.
As to Musk on Twitter...good to hear!