EVERYONE Wants To Comment About Tesla And EV's. But How Many Of YOU Would Actually BUY An EV? Our Guess Is Not Many.

Earlier today I posted an article about the upcoming Porsche Taycan EV and the first official photo of the interior.

My take was it wasn't fresh like Tesla big screen and looks no different than cars we've seen over and over again in the 50k+ market.

And I thought that would hurt it.

Well it didn't take long for everyone to chime in to give their pros and cons. Auto Spies is PAID by Tesla...same old, tired comments.

That said, it's pretty similar to social situations I encounter when the subject of cars comes up.

But you know what truly interesting? By the end of these conversations, next to NO ONE would actually buy one with their own money.

Fun to talk about, but they'd never own one.

So when I read these comments that say the screen size doesn't matter, I take it with a grain of salt because I know to the REAL buyers, screen size and range MATTER more than you know.

And for all the people who swear we're paid off by Tesla, I myself have ZERO interest in buying ANY existing model from them OR EV from Audi, MB, BMW, Jag, Volvo, ANYONE.

I have nothing against EV's, but with current battery tech and pricing, PLUS always having that hassle of range anxiety, they're just not in the cards for me.

But if you like them, own them, want them, good on you.

So here's your opportunity to prove me wrong...Are you actually a REAL potential buyer of a Tesla, Taycan, e-tron, i-Pace, etc? Or are you just a couch quarterback?

Discuss...

jeffgall - 8/21/2019 7:01:59 PM

+6 Boost

Until there is one that has the combination of luxury (actual luxury, not Tesla fit and finish) sport/handling performance, range, and makes economical sense, I’m out.

SanJoseDriver - 8/21/2019 8:14:32 PM

-6 Boost

And what do you drive today?

atc98092 - 8/21/2019 7:10:19 PM

+2 Boost

I've already switched to a PHEV, and when that lease is up I'll most likely move to an EV. Quiet, instant torque, fill the tank overnight while at home, what's not to like? I'll likely never buy a Tesla, as the Model S and X are too expensive, and I don't care for the minimalist interior of the 3 (which will likely be copied over to the Model Y).

I like the e-Tron, but again too expensive and not enough range for the cost. I might have gotten a Niro EV instead of the PHEV, but there were no EX Premium trims available within 800 miles of my home at the time.So now I'll just finish my 3 year lease and see what's available then.

atc98092 - 8/22/2019 4:17:57 PM

+1 Boost

The Niro and Rio are two completely different models. No comparison at all. The EV version of my PHEV is about $3-4000 more for the same trim level. Yes, it's worth the upgrade.

atc98092 - 8/24/2019 11:57:28 AM

+1 Boost

No, not the same class at all. Yes, 23K would never be recouped simply driving with electricity, but again the two cars aren't comparable. Compare the standard Niro Hybrid to the EV if you want to make a comparison. The Hybrid Touring is comparable with the PHEV and EV EX Premium, and it starts at $32k. So yes there's still a $10k difference between the two, but the EV does have a few things the hybrid and PHEV don't have. $10k, worth? That's a personal decision that goes beyond dollars and cents.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/21/2019 7:13:38 PM

-7 Boost

In the USA only 9.3% of adults over 25 have a Master's degree. And only 2% have a Phd. I would estimate your buying pool for BEV's comes from this group of people. Therefore somewhere between 2% and 9.3% of car buyers might be willing to buy a BEV. The USA is in the low range of that scale right now.

Agent001 - 8/21/2019 7:35:42 PM

0 Boost

Just a little FYI, for any of those who care. This article is the 100,000th article published on our site since inception. Quite a threshold to cross! Thank you SO much to all of you for keeping us relevant all these years. Without you, it would not have been possible! Next stop, 1 MILLION!!! MUUAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

001

runninglogan1 - 8/21/2019 7:42:15 PM

-1 Boost

Nice work - congrats!!!

SanJoseDriver - 8/21/2019 8:16:51 PM

-1 Boost

Congrats!!! Well done, that is a lot of work invested into this site =)

momentofsurrender - 8/21/2019 8:17:10 PM

0 Boost

Congratulations! Nice milestone.

mre30 - 8/21/2019 9:44:54 PM

0 Boost

Congrats! Thanks for choosing to make this the 100,000th article and not the stupid 'Trump' one that was apparently the 99,999th.

I, for one, love your 'balanced' Tesla coverage!

I would find it very interesting for you to periodically publish what is in all of your collective 'garages'. What do you think?

I also miss your earlier articles about cars you like and cars you don't like. 001 for a while was a Porsche guy/girl and 00R for a while was a BMW guy/girl (honestly don't know your mix of M/F). I would like to hear more editorializing on your part.

Agent001 - 8/21/2019 11:13:11 PM

0 Boost

mre30

noted.

001

TomM - 8/22/2019 6:33:53 AM

+4 Boost

Indeed Congrats from me as well. It is nice to be able to celebrate something

Next Celebration - the 100,000th NON-TESLA article!!!

As far as EVs - THere remains insufficient infrastructure to support what we have much less a lot more. WE are really really early in the process. At work, when I was still on the road - my last two cars were Hybrids - a Ford and then a Chevy Malibu. The difference between the two told a story. Progress is happening much more quickly - and the Chevy was LEAGUES ahead of the Ford. My concern is the same will happen with the 2nd generation EVs - where those manufacturers who bought into their current technology will be left at the altar as the world moves past them. Clearly - technology - especially battery and charging technology is going to move past the early providers - it always does. By the time it does - this time I can say I won't be here for it.

What I would like to see is some type of portable battery solution - maybe a 200 mile box - that you could trade out at fill up stations - who would keep a supply charged up. That is one way an EV might compete with Gas station fill up times.

SanJoseDriver - 8/22/2019 3:39:03 PM

+1 Boost

Infrastructure is there, battery swap will never happen at this point. Chargers are getting to the point where 10-15min will fill the car if needed, which is good enough. The gas and maintenance savings already justify EVs if all other things are equal and range is over 200 miles. Tide is turning.

runninglogan1 - 8/21/2019 7:42:35 PM

+1 Boost

I would. Definitely.

Section_31_JTK - 8/21/2019 7:45:35 PM

+8 Boost

Not until the price comes down to Honda Accord levels and priced the equivalent of an ICE car. There's no point in paying $5-10k more for the same car, but with an electric motor. Your fuel costs will likely never balance out.

SanJoseDriver - 8/21/2019 8:22:12 PM

-5 Boost

I've bought two Tesla's, and will almost definitely buy more over time. I could be convinced to switch to a different EV, but haven't seen any as compelling at the higher end of the market (Lucid and Rivion have some potential). I would also be willing to get a cheap beater EV with low range at some point to drive around the city and not care if it gets dinged.

Even if you never plan on buying a Tesla, I guarantee you'll be using one for transportation at some point. UBER/Lyft/Waymo are Tesla's real competition at this point.

Tiberius1701A - 8/22/2019 8:31:42 AM

+4 Boost

Until I can plan a long distance drive and when stopping to 'Fill-Up' that it would take the same time as filling the tank in my ICE car and have the car priced similarly to the same class/size of vehicle, my answer would be never.

SanJoseDriver - 8/22/2019 3:37:52 PM

0 Boost

It's close. In 5min you can now add 120 miles of range on a Model 3 on a supercharger. Cost is less than an equivalent BMW when factoring cost of fuel and maintenance.

atc98092 - 8/22/2019 4:23:39 PM

+3 Boost

SanJose, I want to back you but this isn't quite what I call close. 5 minutes for 120 miles for the Model 3, while 5 minutes filling my old Passat TDI would net me about 800 miles range. Even my Niro PHEV will get 600 miles of gas range from a 5 minute fillup. I agree the cost per mile is significantly better with EV, which is one reason why I'll get one when my lease is up.

Yes, charging infrastructure is improving, but right now saying "it's close" isn't accurate.

SanJoseDriver - 8/23/2019 3:15:54 PM

0 Boost

Let me clarify =) Convenience-wise I would say it is close, since:
1.) You can't fill up with gas in your garage
2.) You can't find free gas anywhere
3.) You can't fill up with gas while shopping, eating food, taking a restroom break, etc. (not 100% true since there is an on demand fueling service that will come to your parking spot, but that is not widely used or available).

On a long distance trip, I would argue it is as convenient to park at a charger for 30min close to something you HAVE to do like eat or use the restroom then make a 5-10min stop just to get gas.

There are also now more public charging locations in California than Gas stations, and I believe Europe also passed that milestone. The rest of the US will follow soon I'm sure.

hangtime010 - 8/23/2019 2:10:59 PM

+1 Boost

Aspy11 Rio and Niro the same? you need something adjusted there bud.
atc98092 - while I agree that on a long drive the tdi would be quicker, I doubt anyone would drive 800 miles straight.
As most EV owners know, for our day to day driving all we need is to charge nightly (or when we need to charge) and we're good for the next drive.
I have the Niro EV and last night charging to 80% netted me 405 km / 252 mi. Normally, I would get 385 km / 240 mi when I charge to 80%.

atc98092 - 8/24/2019 11:50:59 AM

+1 Boost

True, such long distance driving in one sitting isn't the norm, and yes charging at home (as I do my PHEV) is vastly more convenient. I also have found that I can exceed the EPA EV range without any effort, at least during these nice summer days. My Niro is rated at 26 miles (24 with the HVAC on) and I've hit 34 miles with the A/C on. This morning I made a 21 mile trip and used 15 miles of range.

If Kia offered me a deal to swap my PHEV with an EV Niro, I'd likely take it, because this car is really nice.