[Ben Franklin]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I'll consider buying an electric vehicle when the Government stops subsidizing them and when more than 50 percent of new vehicle sales are electric. Until then, I won't buy one.

So you aren't driving a gas driven vehicle either? Because gas and oil has been subsidized for eons. And food. You're not eating food, I hope, because farming has been subsidized for eons too.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Ben Franklin

So you aren't driving a gas driven vehicle either? Because gas and oil has been subsidized for eons. And food. You're not eating food, I hope, because farming has been subsidized for eons too.

There is a difference in letting a business write off actual business expenses (which is what they are calling "subsidies for the gas/oil companies") and getting a tax break for buying a product.

You are actually taxed more when buying gasoline...

[DeanFL]

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I REALLY like the looks and features of the brand new Ford Mach-E. And it's getting wonderful reviews. I like the styling better than Tesla, and the interior is great too. Much more stylish than Tesla IMO, and has a small display right in front of the driver too.

I looked at one up close, sat in, etc - but no test drive. Reason being... I did NOT wanted to be too tempted. For several reasons. We have a wonderful Mercedes SUV with only 27K miles. And Ford has the $7500 tax credit on their Elec vehicles - but our tax rate simply would not get much - would leave almost all of that "on the table" which is foolish.
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[Ben Franklin]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

There is a difference in letting a business write off actual business expenses (which is what they are calling "subsidies for the gas/oil companies") and getting a tax break for buying a product.

You are actually taxed more when buying gasoline...

What you are referring to is a tax benefit, not a direct subsidy. Subsidies are not what can be deducted because of business expenses.

Fact Sheet | Fossil Fuel Subsidies: A Closer Look at Tax Breaks and Societal Costs | White Papers | EESI

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Ben Franklin

So you aren't driving a gas driven vehicle either? Because gas and oil has been subsidized for eons. And food. You're not eating food, I hope, because farming has been subsidized for eons too.

I don't like those subsidies either. Take away the subsidies and let the free market determine what people buy. There is too much Government control of everything. But, even with the subsidies, less than 5 percent of the vehicles on the road are electric.

[Brad-tv]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Where will all the electricity to charge all of these batteries come from?

Ideally renewable energy but not there yet.

And if they hack the grids no ones driving very far , unless you have solar with battery back up!!

[Brad-tv]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

Glad you feel good driving your Tesla - how do you feel about 7 year olds mining the Colbat in the battery?

Amnesty International says human rights abuses, including the use of child labour, in the extraction of minerals, like cobalt, used to make the batteries that power electric vehicles is undermining ethical claims about the cars.

Artisanal miners as young as seven were seen by researchers who visited nine sites including deep mines dug by hand using basic tools. Miners, the youngest of whom were earning as little as $1 a day, reported suffering chronic lung disease from exposure to cobalt dust.

The dirty secret of electric vehicles | World Economic Forum

That’s terrible hopefully that will end. Unfortunately this happens in many industries on a wide variety of products we have in our possession.

Apple and Google named in US lawsuit over Congolese child cobalt mining deaths | Global development | The Guardian

[Stu from NYC]

Until they allow us to recharge the battery in minutes not interested.

Cannot imagine driving long distance to see our kids and grandkids and have to wait and wait for battery to charge.

[patfla06]

The thing that concerns me about the Tesla is they make the body lightweight since it’s an EV but how does it fare in a car accident?

Also when we go to Miami to visit our Son I don’t want to spend a half
hour charging the car adding to our 4-hr. trip.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Ben Franklin

What you are referring to is a tax benefit, not a direct subsidy. Subsidies are not what can be deducted because of business expenses.

Fact Sheet | Fossil Fuel Subsidies: A Closer Look at Tax Breaks and Societal Costs | White Papers | EESI

Thanks for proving my point. Pretty much everything they listed as a "subsidy" was actually a business expense...

My business is an S Corp. I am allowed to "write off" my business expenses. Some, have to be depreciated, over several years, but most are written off as they occur. The only difference is that the government has allowed the gas/oil companies to either accelerate their depreciation schedules, or eliminate them, writing off the costs in the year they were incurred...

How that is considered a "subsidy" is mind boggling...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Brad-tv

Ideally renewable energy but not there yet.

And if they hack the grids no ones driving very far , unless you have solar with battery back up!!

"Ideally"? There is nothing "renewable"on the horizon that will produce that much electricity to meet that much demand...

Solar with battery backup? Again, there is nothing available (or close to being available) that will produce that much energy in any reasonable time frame...

[JMintzer]

Just last week, I saw some city official (maybe the mayor?), bragging about all of the EV charging stations they were installing...

A reporter actually had the balls to ask "Where is the electricity coming from?", and some underling actually answered the question.

"90% comes from coal"...

They immediately ended the press conference...

I'm betting that underling is now looking for a new job...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by patfla06

The thing that concerns me about the Tesla is they make the body lightweight since it’s an EV but how does it fare in a car accident?

Actually, they have a very high safety rating...

tesla crash safety - Google Search

[Brad-tv]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

"Ideally"? There is nothing "renewable"on the horizon that will produce that much electricity to meet that much demand...

Solar with battery backup? Again, there is nothing available (or close to being available) that will produce that much energy in any reasonable time frame...

It is on the horizon still many years away and Solar with battery back up is here now for homeowners and you can sell your electric back to the grid.

Obviously you will never buy a electric car and I can understand why it’s not for you. Like it or not Electric cars are here to stay and gaining market share every day. Look at Ford , GM and VW to name a few and it’s full steam ahead for ALL car manufacturers . Internal combustible engine (ICE) sales will decline as more EVs ( electric vehicles) are produced.
Long distance driving will require more stops but normal every day driving these cars are the best for many reasons. Range will increase and charge times will decrease every year.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Brad-tv

It is on the horizon still many years away and Solar with battery back up is here now for homeowners and you can sell your electric back to the grid.

Obviously you will never buy a electric car and I can understand why it’s not for you. Like it or not Electric cars are here to stay and gaining market share every day. Look at Ford , GM and VW to name a few and it’s full steam ahead for ALL car manufacturers . Internal combustible engine (ICE) sales will decline as more EVs ( electric vehicles) are produced.
Long distance driving will require more stops but normal every day driving these cars are the best for many reasons. Range will increase and charge times will decrease every year.

1. Never say never...

2. I didn't said I didn't like the fact that they are gaining market share (minuscule as it may be)...

3. For "normal every day driving these cars are the best for many reasons. Range will increase and charge times will decrease every year." That is certainly an opinion. One in which millions of people disagree. But "if" range increases and charging times decrease" to a level I deem acceptably, I might share that opinion...

4. When they are a viable form of transportation, at a reasonable cost, without subsidies (which I'll probably never receive), I'd certainly consider one. I have several friends who have Teslas and they love them for what they are. Local transportation, 50-100 miles a day. The wife and I often take long road trips and there is currently no serious option for that scenario. When there is, my thoughts may change...