JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Today's topic came from two different sources. First, I was listening to a fascinating two-part story from the Search Engine podcast on the development and implementation of Waymo driverless vehicles, which are always electric cars.
Secondly, I bought gas. Ouch! I'm filling up at the half-way mark, and in eight days, the super-discount cash-only station I go to went up by fifteen cents per gallon. I wonder if this will get buyers more interested in electric vehicles? I thought, as $26 disappeared into my tank in less than two minutes.
I've been intrigued for a long time, but before even considering going electric, I'd have to do some major upgrades to my 200+ year-old home. Currently, I have ONE electric outlet outside, and that's on the porch ceiling (I theorize the then-owners were thinking about Christmas lights, because that's about its only use.) In addition, Maine is one of the top five states in electricity rates; the financially sensible way to 'fuel' an electric vehicle would be to get solar panels on my house and barn roofs.
To be honest, I've never actually driven a car that doesn't have a combustion engine. I had the opportunity a few years ago when we went to Norfolk to celebrate my darling Veronique's graduation. The Enterprise at National Airport offered me a GM Blazer EV, but the thought of driving a relatively unfamiliar route AND having to figure out how to recharge the thing was just too intimidating.
How about you, Reds? Do you have an electric vehicle, or have you driven one? What do you think about them, and do you have obstacles like mine when thinking about buying one?
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I have NO idea. I was (gently) pushing to get a new car recently, and we looked at them, but everything the salesperson started to explain things, it seemed to open up a whole new world of difficult horribleness. We kept our old car. I still think we need a new one, but if we get one, I think hybrid is the way to do. However they work...
DEBORAH CROMBIE: I did think about this when buying a new car last year--after seventeen years of driving my Honda. But we weren't sure we were ready for all-electric, especially as things are so spread out in Texas. And the price tag on hybrids was just too high. Also, I was in love with the Mazda, and they are not yet making a hybrid. This may put them in a better position financially considering the current state of affairs and the damage done to the EV industry. Probably for the next car we will look at EVs.
LUCY BURDETTE: I am due for a new car and we will start shopping once back in Connecticut. I adore my Subaru Outback though it isn't flashy. It gets great mileage, drives well, is comfortable, and fits all of our stuff. (A lot!)
However, John thinks that we should buy a hybrid and Subaru doesn't make an Outback version. He has a small electric vehicle, which he loves, though I'm not convinced. We will start the conversation this spring...
JENN McKINLAY: Youngest Hooligan just bought a used Tesla. I know there's a ban but as H2 pointed out it's used, so no billionaire made a profit off him. I was dubious but OMG! He has a long commute to the hospital and school and he was paying $70/week before the gas spike. Now he goes to a charging station where it takes 10-15 minutes and costs $8-12/week. And, real talk, it's one of the most comfortable cars I've ever ridden in--enough so that I'm considering an e-car for myself but my truck would have to die first. I love my Chevy Silverado. Not letting it go anytime soon.
RHYS BOWEN: For years now I've changed my car when the warranty expires. Driving 800 miles between CA and AZ means I want no bad surprises. So an electric car has not been in consideration as I'd have to stop and charge it. But a hybrid... definitely my next car. I drive a Mercedes SUV and I love it, but it is horrible on gas. $100 fillup every time. So I'm looking at the Lexus NX SUV next time. I like being high up with good vision in my current car and easy access too.
I've never had the opportunity to drive an electric car, so this is all new territory for me, but if I were considering purchasing a new car, I would definitely look into getting a hybrid vehicle . . . .
ReplyDeleteI’ve had a Prius hybrid for 12 years (2 in that time) and the mileage is fantastic. It is time to get a newish car and my son says I should get an EV - but it will just take so much research!
ReplyDeleteWe had Priuses at work and we had a hybrid for a two-week drive around France and they were great. A few years ago we rented a car in Chicago and they wanted to give us an electric and we said no, we are driving to Indiana and don’t expect to find EV infrastructure there.
ReplyDeleteWe have lots of friends with EVs - if you are using Tesla Supercharging stations, it’s great. If you are using other charging systems, there doesn’t seem to be enough reliable infrastructure.
Honda has an e-car that has gas backup if you run out of electric charge.
Delete^ It is a Honda Clarity - no worries if we are driving a long distance it automatically switches to gas power. It's a nice car, very roomy inside, and very quiet.
DeleteHow apropos! My daughter Lucy has been driving our old 2011 Honda CRV and fifteen years of salted roads have eaten holes in the rocker panels. It probably will not pass inspection in Maine (though it would in New York and Vermont, and New Hampshire doesn't even have car inspections. Live free AND die!). So she has been looking at cars, mostly used. She is a climate activist and is ONLY looking at EVs. I was urging a hybrid, as a number of my friends have hybrids, but she wants to live by her ideals. She is doing hours of research. When I get anxious for her I remember that nothing is irrevocable except having a child.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I bought a new-to us used car last year and went two hours downstate to the Miller's Kill area (far less road salt) to buy a gas Subaru Forester. I am in charge of all repairs in my household, from changing lightbulbs to minor engine repairs to large building projects, and I am currently at my limit for learning to manage new responsibilities.
Rhys, I also like being high up. Not only is it more comfortable for me at my height, but I have forty years of experience seeing what a pickup truck does to a small car in an accident. I live in pickup land. So when I am in a small low car, I feel as if I'm driving a Diet Coke can that could be fed into the crusher at any moment. (Selden)
Selden, my husband's car is a Subaru Forester with about 120,000 miles on it and we have been so happy with that car! We are beginning to acknowledge we probably need to replace it at some point, and currently the leading contender is to just buy a newer Forester, as that one has been so good.
DeleteMaybe Irwin would consider a hybrid, but safety concerns about electrical fires have kept us from considering an ev. He is an engineer and has been waiting for the battery technology to become more reliable. Our garage is attached to our house and he considers them to be dangerous.
ReplyDeleteI'll come back this afternoon and share my matzo ball recipe.
Interesting! I've had a Prius hybrid since I bought one new in 2009. I LOVED that car, which is still going strong (mostly). When Hugh's truck rusted out too much to pass inspection AND he wasn't hanging dry wall any more, he proposed taking over the 2009 as his "truck" since he can fit a six-foot ladder in it, and he found me a pre-owned Prius C, a little hybrid Toyota doesn't make any more.
ReplyDeleteAfter I started regularly driving the 250 miles round trip to take care of Ida Rose, I needed a more comfortable and reliable car. At the same time, a local Afghan refugee family needed a second car. I found a nearly new Prius plug-in Prime hybrid and sold the C to the family for a pittance. We've had solar panels for a decade, so the charging is free and I have a much nicer ride. If I ever need another car, I'd probably go all-electric, but I imagine the public infrastructure for charging hasn't made much progress with this administration.
Don't have one, will not get one. Period.
ReplyDeleteThese days I really hate driving, especially having to deal with crazy drivers these days. I've not driven an electric car yet, though my 2015 car, which was bought new, has a lot of computer stuff in the car. Just remembered that we have rented a Prius, which is hybrid. I have driven a Prius several times and it is never cleaned before I rent it. I stopped renting the Prius.
ReplyDeleteWe looked into the logistics of driving from Cincinnati to Arlington, VA where our daughters live, in an EV. Five Hundred miles, the halfway point for charging in the middle of nowhere West Virginia and Maryland mountains. Hybrid for our next car, yes.
ReplyDeleteOhio has seven utility-grade coal-power plants, so I'm not sure how much we're protecting the envioroment by going all-electric.
Having not been able to drive for so long, all I see of gas prices is the rapid rise in Uber fares. Lucy, I feel your Subaru Outback “devotion”, the last 5 years of my driving days were spent in Subaru Outback Sports (the Outback was too big and too expensive for me). Loved each and every one and had a great dealership to take care of the maintenance. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteIn 2024 I needed to buy a new car because my Ford Focus was 10 years old. I wanted my new car to be environmentally friendly so after doing lots of research, I ordered a red plug-in hybrid Ford Escape from the factory. I had to wait six months for it but it definitely was worth the wait! I absolutely love it! It plugs in to the regular outlet in my garage so there didn’t have to be any electrical changes in my garage. It charges overnight. I have saved on gas which yesterday was $1.74/litre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. When driving it silently switches to gas automatically when the electric charge is depleted! I haven’t noticed any change in my electric bill either. I highly recommend a plug-in hybrid Ford Escape ❤️🚗
ReplyDeleteI think hybrid e-cars are the next gen of e-cars. You have electricity but gas back up.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Ford Escape had that - good to know.
Both our current vehicles are paid off, and I anticipate my Honda Civic will be my primary car for the rest of my days. (I use it only for local driving and put so few miles on it I think it will last as long as I do.) When we decide we must bite the bullet and replace hubby's Forester, we will consider a hybrid if one is available that meets our other requirements. I was a fan of hybrids from the day they came out, but unfortunately the difference in price put them out of my reach in my younger years. I think EVs can be a great choice for certain situations, particularly as a commuting to and from work vehicle. But I don't think they make sense as a primary vehicle for someone who lives in the Midwest, where we realistically HAVE to drive distances on a pretty regualr basis.
ReplyDelete