General Discussion

snot

(11,279 posts)

38. I've done the math.

Sun Jul 13, 2025, 12:48 PM

Jul 13

The manufacturers seem to have priced vehicles so that WITH a subsidy, you just barely break even on the cost to buy and operate the car over a 10-year life-span or so.

Once you get past 10 yrs. or so, you may be better off with an EV, IF the costs for repairs are no more than they would be with an all-gas vehicle.

Otherwise, in order to be better off with an EV or hybrid, the gas price would have to exceed $5/gallon at some point when there are still a lot of years left on the car. Which may happen, but not in the near-term view.

Despite all that, I'm in favor of EV's and hybrids; but another big fat caveatis that an all-EV isn't going to work for households that can't afford or don't want 2 cars, or for households that lack a private garage where an EV can be safely charged overnight – and that leaves out a LOT of households.

That too might improve if charging times could be reduced to be similar to the time it takes to fill a tank with gas; but people who are working 2 and 3 jobs to try to keep food on the table do not have time to park and charge their cars for a few hours while they shop.

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fujiyamasan

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Highlight:

The great EV pullback has begun (The Verge) [View all] usonian Jul 12 OP

Electric vehicles are great for a second car. pwb Jul 12 #1

Love my EV as a daily commuter. nt LexVegas Jul 12 #2

That picture is disturbing as hell. Dave Bowman Jul 12 #3

I did a web search. It's the LEAST offensive of the bunch. usonian Jul 12 #4

You almost have to appreciate the utter obliviousness RandomNumbers Jul 13 #32

It's not obliviousness. They do it intentionally. Mariana Jul 13 #42

Solid state EV's will be available right around the time Trump leaves office. Fiendish Thingy Jul 12 #5

If their performance is that good, why the need for subsidies? MichMan Jul 12 #6

The subsidies, IMO, are to encourage non-polluting vehicles (which is why Trump is removing them) and usonian Jul 12 #9

If milk is so delicious, why the need for subsidies? Fiendish Thingy Jul 12 #10

We drink maybe a quart every 2 months MichMan Jul 13 #12

Because there's still a lot of consumer myths about EVe haele Jul 13 #14

I beg to differ on one point: cab67 Jul 13 #15

Even though you would save $3500 per year on gas, you wouldn't have bought an EV without a $7500 tax credit MichMan Jul 13 #20

And that's why I answered the question why a subsidy is still necessary... haele Jul 13 #21

The subsidies are just being added to the national debt anyway. MichMan Jul 13 #37

Yes and the student loan for the totally unnecessary degree I was required to get to keep my job.. haele Jul 14 #45

If your degree was as useless as you describe, just how does it benefit the general public, both now and in the future ? MichMan Jul 14 #46

It was useless as I was doing the same job with or without the degree... haele Jul 14 #47

I've done the math. snot Jul 13 #38

How about the subsidies for the oul and gas companies which dwarf the ev subsidies mahina Jul 13 #36

100% TnDem Jul 13 #40

Meh, I hope EV credits are not at the top of the Dem agenda fujiyamasan Jul 13 #17

I agree, and I'm not antagonistic to EV credits at all. RandomNumbers Jul 13 #33

price sells cars. lower the price enuff and they will fly off the lots...so to speak nt msongs Jul 12 #7

Remove the BYD tariff. Their models start at under $30K. PSPS Jul 12 #11

If the UAW wants to compete, they can either cut their wages in half or face plant closings, right? MichMan Jul 13 #19

not to worry, there will be plenty of prison camp labor. uncle ray Jul 13 #22

Yet UAW competes with truck and vans. haele Jul 13 #24

Exactly! n/t SickOfTheOnePct Jul 13 #25

You know that imported trucks have had 25% tariffs for 60 yrs., right? MichMan Jul 13 #28

Protectionism for American automobiles Blue Full Moon Jul 13 #26

You think they have engine issues, check out Hyundai and Kia MichMan Jul 13 #30

You're absolutely right! fujiyamasan Jul 13 #18

I have a hybrid plug-in Prius Bettie Jul 12 #8

it didn't help that arguably the most prolific EV maker turned out to be a Nazi cadoman Jul 13 #13

Teslas are fairly common where we live. cab67 Jul 13 #16

I had to fly last minute to Tampa... SickOfTheOnePct Jul 13 #23

The US might just largely produce autos for its captive market. David__77 Jul 13 #27

Tax credits to sell vehicles are a subsidy to the industry bucolic_frolic Jul 13 #29

What are the profit margins right now... SickOfTheOnePct Jul 13 #31

Here are the operating margins for the "big 3" (note stellantis is Italian but own dodge/jeep/chrysler). fujiyamasan Jul 14 #44

What the hell ISN'T subsidized? Ask the legion of lobbyists. usonian Jul 13 #34

This message was self-deleted by its author fujiyamasan Jul 14 #43

My only complaint with EVs is that they're ridiculously expensive. Initech Jul 13 #35

Check out the used market. EVs depreciate like crazy. flvegan Jul 13 #39

Really? Interesting. Initech Jul 13 #41