There seems to be more to the EV story

[LoboGunLeather]

thestreet.com

It seems that after factoring in all the costs associated with electric vehicle ownership and use the total expense for owning and operating equates to paying $17.33 per gallon for gasoline.

The study takes into account everything including federal tax subsidies and other costs that, while not directly paid by the EV owner, are directly involved in the total costs (such as electric power generation, transmission, distribution, and infrastructure costs).

Interesting comparison.

 

[coltle6920]

Can't find the article but I believe I read where insurance companies don't want to mess with the EV. Supposedly, depending on the damage, it would be cheaper to total the vehicle than fix it.

 

[venomballistics]

Can't find the article but I believe I read where insurance companies don't want to mess with the EV. Supposedly, depending on the damage, it would be cheaper to total the vehicle than fix it.

That's kinda true of all vehicles though.
It doesn't take a lot of damage to run a bill past the KBB value on anything

 

[mckenney99]

I would bet that the insurance companies are concerned about the potential for unseen or unnoticed damage to the battery pack. Part of the problem with the batteries is an internal short that causes a runaway thermal reaction (fire). The insurance companies are likely concerned about their future liability.

 

[DWalt]

Aside from the many other financial shortcomings of EV ownership, I have always believed that their eventual insurance expense will outweigh them all. I just read that this week Ford has decided to scale back severely on their plans for building a new battery manufacturing plant in Michigan because the market for new EVs seems to be faltering.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I would bet that the insurance companies are concerned about the potential for unseen or unnoticed damage to the battery pack. Part of the problem with the batteries is an internal short that causes a runaway thermal reaction (fire). The insurance companies are likely concerned about their future liability.

I recall another news article several months ago reporting that some homeowners insurance companies are now declining policies on homes where EVs are kept or charged in the garages, citing the fire dangers involved. Could be another stumbling block for EV acceptance.

 

[DWalt]

I recall another news article several months ago reporting that some homeowners insurance companies are now declining policies on homes where EVs are kept or charged in the garages, citing the fire dangers involved. Could be another stumbling block for EV acceptance.

Additionally, if home charging stations have cables outside the garage, they are being cut off and stolen. They are not cheap to replace. That nearly forces anyone who owns an RV to charge inside a closed garage, where the fire hazard is greatest. I wonder if the central government planners thought of that.

 

[s&wchad]

Makes me wonder how many EV owners who drank the Kool-Aid are thinking, "I could've had a V8"!

Gas is currently $2.99/gallon at my local Kroger and I have enough fuel points to get $1 off per gallon, on up to 35 gallons. I'll fill up before the end of the month and pay with my "bad for me" rewards card, which gives me cash back!

 

[ladder13]

I recall another news article several months ago reporting that some homeowners insurance companies are now declining policies on homes where EVs are kept or charged in the garages, citing the fire dangers involved. Could be another stumbling block for EV acceptance.

Coverage will be mandated ala the "ACA". Premiums will rise ala the "ACA".

 

[oldbrownhat]

Presumably insurance companies' concerns about battery fires would also apply to hybrids, despite having smaller batteries.

Several Forum members have, or know owners of, both. Hopefully they will chime in on their insurance premiums.

 

[s&wchad]

Presumably insurance companies' concerns about battery fires would also apply to hybrids, despite having smaller batteries.

Several Forum members have, or know owners of, both. Hopefully they will chime in on their insurance premiums.

I don't have a hybrid, but most don't need to be plugged in. They typically charge when the gasoline engine is running and when applying the brakes.

 

[Ματθιας]

How many charging cycles do the battery packs have before they have to be replaced?

Supposedly, fast charging shortens the life dramatically.

I'd be willing to bet that buying a used battery powered vehicle is an even greater gamble than a comparable gas powered car.

 

[oldbrownhat]

I don't have a hybrid, but most don't need to be plugged in. They typically charge when the gasoline engine is running and when applying the brakes.

Duh... "My bad" In retrospect, I don't know of a plug-in hybrid off hand.

 

[TheHobbyist]

FWIW, I heard that Toyota is soon to offer to the market a solid-state battery that is supposed to be a 'game changer' for EV's. Something like a 10 minute charge equating to around 400 miles plus of driving.

In my opinion, it was bound to happen, that some company would go to market with a battery solution that changes the calculus.

If this happens, I would have to take a hard look at Toyota; essentially, eliminates my gas bill each year (x) 5 years of ownership is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[Harrison]

Presumably insurance companies' concerns about battery fires would also apply to hybrids, despite having smaller batteries.

Several Forum members have, or know owners of, both. Hopefully they will chime in on their insurance premiums.

We own two hybrids. Our insurance premiums are actually lower than when we owned a large SUV and PU truck. We do not park the cars in the garage. They stay in the driveway and their battery is actually small compared to a full EV vehicle.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I am a hybrid. I have an ICE and a battery assist.

 

[venomballistics]

FWIW, I heard that Toyota is soon to offer to the market a solid-state battery that is supposed to be a 'game changer' for EV's. Something like a 10 minute charge equating to around 400 miles plus of driving.

In my opinion, it was bound to happen, that some company would go to market with a battery solution that changes the calculus.

If this happens, I would have to take a hard look at Toyota; essentially, eliminates my gas bill each year (x) 5 years of ownership is nothing to sneeze at.

I will not even begin to consider either a n EV or hybrid without that part of the equation in place.
Honestly, I thought BMW was on the case for the solid state battery.
Nice to see Toyota is waking up about it as well.

As a hybrid, this will be wonderful, solving almost every problem being swept under the rug.
As a pure ev ... We still have to get the power into the battery. While it can take a charge in a ten minute hot shot, you have to supply ridiculous power to do it. I don't foresee that part getting solved anytime soon

 

[FlyTyinFool]

I can see it now!

Plug your rapid-charge EV into the house and...
Watch the electric meter spin like Clark Griswald's when he plugs in his Christmas lights!!

Ahahahahaha!!!

 

[venomballistics]

I can see it now!

Plug your rapid-charge EV into the house and...
Watch the electric meter spin like Clark Griswald's when he plugs in his Christmas lights!!

Ahahahahaha!!!

Nah ... We're talking watch your breaker box turn to a glowing liquid kind of power

 

[Chuck24]

If they were as good as some think, the govt wouldn't have to use our tax money to bribe people to buy them.