You probably meant this to be rhetorical, but I'll take the bait.I'm not getting why people who are buying & thus apparently car afford expensive new cars should get a subsidy for doing so.
More than the fact that it's EV, I'm more interested in self-driving.
Tesla is as far out ahead as anyone else.
FIFY.More than the fact that it's EV, I'm more interested in self-driving.
Tesla is as far out ahead as anyone else selling vehicles to the public. However, Waymo vehicles are by far the most advanced self-driving vehicles based on vehicle miles between (driver) interventions. Waymo technology has not yet been commercialized (yet), but they plan to partner with automaker(s).
But it's $8000 to activate the hardware and another $3000 for additional features.
Maybe in a few years, pent-up demand will wane and they'll price those options more reasonably.
Drop the Bolt or the Bolt?
IMHO, I think that all electric cars make more sense at the higher priced end of the market where affluent enthusiasts can afford them. (Looking at you Telsa Model S). Low gasoline prices mean that the cheaper cars aren't that tempting for we peons who can only afford a measly 30-40K for a car.Albeit slowly, GM’s Chevy Bolt EV sales are still growing – reaching a new high of 1,642 units in the US last month.
It brings the total delivered of the new all-electric vehicle in the US to 7,592 units since the beginning of the year and just over 8,000 since its launch in December 2016.
In June, GM opened Chevy Bolt EV orders for approved dealerships nationwide, But that didn’t contribute to deliveries since the first shipment to the new approved dealerships are expected in August.
At that point, we should have a better idea of the market for the Bolt EV.
It's probably the same one I saw "once" in Texas.We saw a Tesla with Texas license plates, in a small Illinois town earlier this summer.
https://electrek.co/2017/07/03/gm-chevy-bolt-ev-sales-3/
IMHO, I think that all electric cars make more sense at the higher priced end of the market where affluent enthusiasts can afford them. (Looking at you Telsa Model S). Low gasoline prices mean that the cheaper cars aren't that tempting for we peons who can only afford a measly 30-40K for a car.
OTOH, I heard that the Chevy Bolt, which has comparable range, is not selling so well. They've cut the production schedule this summer.
Doesn't quite have the green cred as Tesla, though TBH, I wouldn't be that eager to spend $40k on a Chevy either.
I looked and the used car market is MUCH better.... one that is a few years old with 30K ish miles can be had for less than $15K.... it has peaked my interest.... except that I do not like GM that much...
Edit... sorry, I was referring to the Volt, not the Bolt
It's probably the same one I saw "once" in Texas.
Can any oil industry employee be caught in one without repercussions?
...
I don't think the energy economics will recoup the premium over a gas car. However, some people want zero emissions. ....
Thanks. It will be curious to see how many ev's sell without the incentive. As you say, more than half the population is cut out of the benefits.You probably meant this to be rhetorical, but I'll take the bait.
Well, one possible answer is that not all government programs have to be redistributive - i.e., not all programs have to move money from richer people to poorer people.
In this case the program is designed to artificially favor a technology because of its presumptive support of the "greater good."
You are right that it does tend to favor people with higher incomes, much like the solar tax credit does. On the other hand is it a bad thing if it helps develop the market for electric cars faster?
It's worth mentioning that the EV incentive, being a flat amount, has a much bigger impact on purchases of a $30,000 VW e-Golf than a $150,000 Tesla. However, since it is non-refundable, it requires you to have a federal tax liability of at least $7,500 to fully benefit from it - which cuts out more than half the population.
Same for my '15 C300 bought in Fall 2014. Great features.I'm not so sure of that.
I have a 2014 MB E250 with all the tech that was available at the time.
It has a feature called "Distronic+" automatic cruise control. At highway speeds it
steers the car to keep it in the lane. It also maintains a minimum following distance behind the car ahead. So no feet on pedals and you can take your hands off the steering wheel for a short amount of time - then it starts beeping to get you to put them back on. This is now available in many cars, but back then it was unique.
But additionally, in stop and go traffic Distronic+ goes into a mode where you can take your hands off the steering wheel indefinitely - basically self drive (in a constrained circumstance).
If the cars needs to stop, it'll start back up if the stop is only for a few seconds. If the car is topped longer, you need to tap the accelerator to get it moving again.
Pretty good for a 2014 model.
Back when I bought it new (I picked up my car at the factory on the second day the 2014's rolled off the line) this was the most impressive "self driving" available. Tesla's are impressive too, but aren't the only game in town.
IIRC you've had a Model S for some time, so you'd have more credibility re: Tesla than most of us (fence sitters & skeptics). If you don't mind the question, will the Model 3 replace the Model S or will you become a multi EV household?We are planning to get the shorter range Model 3 between December and February 2018. If, at that point, heated front seats are only available as part of the premium package we will get the interior premium package.
IIRC you've had a Model S for some time, so you'd have more credibility re: Tesla than most of us (fence sitters & skeptics). If you don't mind the question, will the Model 3 replace the Model S or will you become a multi EV household?