Many Americans can only afford 10 year old cars, or perhaps 20 year old cars. EV batteries can only last 10 years. A maintained 2004 Toyota might have years of life remaining. Many are repairing 30 year old pickups as they were well constructed and are relatively affordable to repair - maybe a used transmission is all it needs? A rustfree GMT400 or Tacoma truck has no expiration date Tesla has promised thy will revisit the battery issue when technical and economic progress has been achieved. But, will chemistry "evolve" ?
Typically, EV batteries cost $12K-$20K, and last 10-17 years (software updates reduce battery overheating, extending battery life in newer EVs). There's a 'glut' of used EVs needing new battery packs, in near prime condition other than the batteries. For $25K, you could buy a used EV still in excellent condition with a new battery, and have another 17 years of driving with practically no maintenance costs, oil changes, brake changes. What petrol car can boast such a low, low lifetime cost? That used rustfree Tacoma, one of the most recommended low-maintenance vehicles? Best I could find online was 2006 for $16K, plus $5.5K for that transmission, plus $800 for brakes, $2.5K for ball joint, and if it were 25-30 years old complete frame overhaul, typically. So the price is about par, but maintenance going forward triple annually, on top of fuel. Check out the US government's AFDC calculator for like-to-like comparisons. And, in a few years, refurbishers will be paying for old battery packs.
Many Americans can only afford 10 year old cars, or perhaps 20 year old cars. EV batteries can only last 10 years. A maintained 2004 Toyota might have years of life remaining.
Many are repairing 30 year old pickups as they were well constructed and are relatively affordable to repair - maybe a used transmission is all it needs? A rustfree GMT400 or Tacoma truck has no expiration date
Tesla has promised thy will revisit the battery issue when technical and economic progress has been achieved. But, will chemistry "evolve" ?
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Typically, EV batteries cost $12K-$20K, and last 10-17 years (software updates reduce battery overheating, extending battery life in newer EVs). There's a 'glut' of used EVs needing new battery packs, in near prime condition other than the batteries. For $25K, you could buy a used EV still in excellent condition with a new battery, and have another 17 years of driving with practically no maintenance costs, oil changes, brake changes.
What petrol car can boast such a low, low lifetime cost?
That used rustfree Tacoma, one of the most recommended low-maintenance vehicles? Best I could find online was 2006 for $16K, plus $5.5K for that transmission, plus $800 for brakes, $2.5K for ball joint, and if it were 25-30 years old complete frame overhaul, typically. So the price is about par, but maintenance going forward triple annually, on top of fuel.
Check out the US government's AFDC calculator for like-to-like comparisons.
And, in a few years, refurbishers will be paying for old battery packs.