Knoxville Focus
September 11, 2023
Why are most EVs so ugly?
Have you seen the new KIA EV SUV? It dethrones the Mustang and Teslas as the ugliest SUV. As much as I love Porsches their EV is really ugly. Its paint jobs are awful reminding me of Pepto Bismol.
Those in the EV camp are crowing that the new agreement to have additional manufacturers given access to Tesla’s charging network solves the problem of range anxiety. It does not. Charging networks do not address the problem of limited range. Until that is addressed, EVs will be no more than second car commuting vehicles. Also, the bigger the EV (SUVs) the lower the range, the heavier the batteries and the greater negative impact on the environment.
World governments’ all-in EV strategies are increasingly stupid. Outlawing the sale of gas/diesel engines before charging networks are on line, before the energy grid can handle the increased demands while severely damaging the environment in the name of saving the planet only makes sense if you follow the money.
Lithium batteries explode and the fire is difficult to extinguish. The mandating of EVs has ignored the problem of rare earth materials in the batteries. China is seeking to dominate the market while the Biden administration is denying permits for mines in the US. How much money did Hunter get from the Chinese?
The innovation in battery technology is the use of sodium rather than lithium. They solve range anxiety with ranges in excess of 600 miles. They solve the rare earth problem being readily accessible and cheap.
I have a close friend who has bought into the “climate change is our greatest existential threat” dogma. But he drives a gas powered Mercedes convertible that he loves and will never buy a Tesla because he dislikes Elon Musk intensely.
I have nothing against EVs. I welcome diversity to the marketplace and the expansion of choice to consumers. I just want change to be market driven rather than being forced down the throat of consumers by the zealots who occupy power in governments, banks, and investment firms.
I admire Elon Musk for his determination to make a successful product. I have a friend who has an Audi EV. He crows about its performance. It is as fast as a Porsche turbo. I just hope he doesn’t go 0-60 in 3.5 seconds down Kingston Pike.
I wonder why Tesla drivers don’t flick their lights since they all belong to the same cult.
EVs lose about 30 percent of their range in cold winter climates. They lose about 30 percent of their range in extreme heat. So don’t buy one if you live in Minnesota or Arizona.
There was an incongruous headline saying that Ford was cutting the price of its “popular” EV truck by $10,000. If the truck were popular then Ford would be raising the price not lowering it.
EV trucks are a vanity item. They cannot tow or haul without losing significant range.
The Biden administration has added gas generators to the bad for the environment list. This will adversely impact all those campers who love to camp off grid using solar power and gas generators to power their rigs.
The first cybertruck from Tesla has just been produced. It is plagued with the same manufacturing problems that characterize Teslas, namely ill fitting panels. Teslas are rightly lauded for their innovative technology so why can’t they fix their manufacturing issues?
What if we refuse to buy EVs even if the governments ban diesel and gas engines? I predict a huge growth in the used car market as consumers rebel against the dictates of the misguided left.
I am wondering how much of these harmful regulations can be reversed by another administration? Much like Biden repealed almost anything associated with Trump during the first days of his tenure, a less zealous administration can be expected to stop the green mandates once it is in office.
I still can’t figure out why the UAW funds Democrats who are intent on destroying so many jobs in the automobile industry. Can they possibly be that stupid?
Comments:
Dr. Black, I enjoyed the subject article and, as a gasoline car guy, I really have to wonder what the underlying motivation is to outlaw internal combustion engines. Dr. Jordan Peterson states, “Climate Change is the Progressives get out of jail free card”, and I tend to believe that. Let’s face it, anything “bad” can be attributed to “climate change” via a single step (hurricanes) or multiple steps (migration, bad grades, hangnails, etc). It’s the perfect enemy, it cannot be: defined, located or defend itself!
I recently purchased a 2023 Camry powered by a 4cyl gasoline engine that gets 40+ mpg on the highway and 30+ around town. It’s America’s most reliable car and, unlike EVs, there are parts in every small city to repair it. I drive only 3,000-5,000 miles per year and the engine is good for 300,000 miles before it needs to be rebuilt. I figure that I have another 60-100 years with this car (I’m 58 now).
My lawnmower is a 20 year old Craftsman that runs fine and I’ve only had to repair some rust in the deck, which will eventually need to be replaced if the parts are available. Plan B is to simply purchase a brand new gasoline mower now and leave it in the box until it’s needed. My worry is that the EPA/DoE will require battery only mowers to be sold in all 50 states, since they generally follow California’s lead on all things “green”. California no longer allows the sale of gasoline powered mowers.
I often get puff piece articles on Facebook stating how great EVs are and that there are Government subsidies that I can use to potentially afford one. If EVs are so great, why aren’t people waiting in lines for them (e.g. latest iPhone or “must have” electronic gadget) and why the need for Government subsidies? Shouldn’t they be flying off the lots by themselves?
When I see folks comment on the puff piece articles stating how great their EVs and how they drive them for mere pennies, I have to laugh. I’ve run the numbers and it simply does not make economic sense for me. EVs are rich mans’ virtue signaling toys. I don’t see grandma trading in her 2000 Buick for a $66,000 EV to save the world. They are not economically feasible – yet.
Every current and prospective EV owner should ask themselves four simple questions: a) if not for the hysteria over “climate change” (aka greenhouse effect, hole in the ozone layer, global warming, etc.) would anyone be driving an electric vehicle today?; b) if every driver in the entire world switched to an EV tomorrow, would there still be: species extinction, hurricanes, wild fires, droughts, famines, floods, tornadoes, earth quakes, rising seas, migration, and wars?; c) if EVs are so economically viable and the demand is so high, shouldn’t EVs be flying off the lots in a supply and demand business model without the need for the US Government provided tax incentives and other rebates?, and; d) if “climate change” is such an existential threat to mankind, why do the world’s leaders and “climate change” advocates continue to jet off to Davos, Glasco and other exotic locales, to discuss “climate change”, instead of simply meeting via ZOOM?
The typical response I get is namecalling. You know you have them stumped when they instantly resort to namecalling.
Sincerely, CC
haroldblackphd.com 