Is it the range? The charging anxiety, because the majority of Americans cannot charge at home, meaning they’ll spend as much as the price of gas? Again, I’m not against EVs. If you want one, get one. But, they are not ready to be more than around town cars for most people. Expensive ones
Kia hopes to fix electric cars’ biggest problem by 2030
Kia has confirmed that it will be developing an affordable electric city car – potentially bringing the price down to sub €20,000 for the first time.
It’s likely that the model will be called the Kia EV1.
Kia is looking to address one of the biggest problems facing electric cars – the price.
With a wide selection of models, the company already offers good value, but when compared to the starting price of combustion cars, there’s a gulf in what you’re being asked to pay. (snip)
Kia previously confirmed that it had plans for the Kia EV2, with an expected launch in 2026, but now the company president, Ho-sung Song has told Autocar that the “next, next target” is for a smaller electric city car, with a price under €20,000 (or around £16,850 / $22,248). This would open up the market to those who currently dismiss electric cars as being too expensive.
And what is the range on this vehicle? 100 miles? For a couple grand more you can get a base Civic or Corolla which can go over 300 miles per fill up, and there are gas stations available everywhere, so, those who live in apartments can easily fill up in 5 minutes.
At some point the infrastructure might make sense, but, it is not there yet. Perhaps Biden-Harris, along with Mayor Pete, can get on that whole building fast chargers for the billions they were allocated.
Maybe they ought to first fix the biggest problem with Kias, and that’s how easy they are to steal!
Too late. We already invented the electric golf cart and they are widely in use throughout America, mostly in larger retirement communities. They cost about half that much. Though I must say, the gasoline versions are also very popular. My MIL recently got one for getting around on the farm. She specifically went with the gasoline version in case she forgot to plug it in, it would still work without waiting a few hours to recharge. There are also versions of 4 wheelers, side-by-sides in various configurations that you can buy at Lowes that have become quite popular with the landed class. Both gas and electric models available, but gas is still leading in popularity because of the versatility.
The biggest current problem with EVs is that they’re EVs, i.e. expensive toys not suited for much except tooling around town. My uber liberal east coast relatives rented themselves an EV for a several hundred mile jaunt. They were so pleased with themselves when they began the journey to see their relatives, traveling in carbon-free style! Let’s just cut to the chase and say that the trip was rife with disappointment and disillusionment. Owning an EV as a primary vehicle will not be a mistake they’ll be making any time soon.
The main problem with EV’s is the battery. Replacement batteries cost at least $10,000 to as much as $30,000. That means that once the warranty expires (typically 8 years or 100,000 miles) the car has no resale value. It is junk.
EVs primary purpose is “virtue signalling”. While driving around in something more harmful than a 70’s muscle car.
Irrelevent anecdote: I was once driving my then new Neon on I-75 in suburban Detroit when an EV-1 blew past me. Odd since they never leased them in Michigan. I guess it was a manufacturer’s car since they built them around here,