Are EVs Dead?! Reacting to @DougDeMuro

Thanks to Doug Demuro for all the years of great car content, and for joining me on a few podcasts! In a recent video he asks the question "Are Electric Cars Dead?" which includes his thoughts on EVs as well as the three main drawbacks as he sees them.

My goal here is to bring data and context to the discussion while approaching others viewpoints with curiosity and respect. I've met Doug on several occasions and at times will message back and forth about EVs.

Let me know what you think in the comments and subscribe for more!

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[bradleyanderson]

Gas refineries are one of the heaviest users of both electricity and cobalt. It takes a minimum of 8 kWh's to refine a gallon of gasoline. That much electricity can run my car 25 to 30 miles without the additional cost of petroleum.

[MarkKeller]

Once upon a time ... gas stations didn't exist, and when they did, they weren't as ubiquitous as they are now either.

Once upon a time, electricity wasn't everywhere, nor were phone lines or cable connections or cell service.

Electric cars aren't going away anytime soon.

[jimbo]

I just came back from my fifth trip to Boston from Long Island. I started the trip at 83% battery, SC once about 20 miles from my destination to 70%, drove all around for two days and left the third day. Started my journey home and had to SC once more after 96 miles to 75%. Made it home with plenty of battery left. Love my Tesla and the built in navigation. I spent maybe a total of 45 minutes at the SC. Not an inconvenience at all!

[davedujour]

Every time someone brings up the range thing I tell them about my 2 week, 3300+ mile trip from MN to CO and back. A fairly typical road trip vacation. Most of the time the humans had to take a break before the car needed too, and the car was fueled up and ready before the humans were done with lunch. This is a normal vacation that was 3 years ago already and charging stations have just become more common.

[Salty]

Keeping the wife happy with her Rav4 Prime. However, the Prime is much better on battery. The 2.5 L 4 is buzzy and almost noisy. Knowing that and watching tons of YouTube vids, I bought a '23' MYLR. Within 6 mos we made the Thanksgiving trip to my sister's house in Cocoa Beach, Fl from our home in the White Mountains. It was stupid easy and fun. We're in our 70's so breaks every 3 hrs is standard. No hassles with finding charging and only one issue on the whole round trip where slow charging meant a stop of 45 minutes. I'm not going back... haha

[mkst]

Thank you for mentioning how subsidized the oil industry is

[macmcleod]

It has been pretty brutal to drive 500 or more miles per day since I've been in my 50s.

But ignoring that, it costs about $60 to drive 500 miles in an ice vehicle while it costs about $15 to drive 500 mi in an electric vehicle.

[tobyray]

Anyone who thinks Evie is over with does not understand the global automotive industry. The biggest fear is change.

[utopaline]

Like I keep saying. The charging network is the worst it will ever be right now. It will only get better.

[bluetoad]

Resale value is one of the most interesting aspects of this - but it's a positive for adoption in fact. These used EVs represent amazing value for money, its really counter intuitive.

[freeheeler]

I like Doug as well, though I think hybrids are silly for anyone who doesn’t drive 300 miles per day. I appreciate how fair and kind you were in your debate with Doug.

[lyfebehyndbars]

Based on my observations of the free market. Engines are pretty much doomed. I don’t care if the device is shaped like a car, lawn mower, trimmer, or a ceiling fan. The vast majority of consumers DON’T WANT to deal with engines if they don’t have to. It’s only a matter of time until they start realising they don’t have to anymore.

[mikeshafer]

I think the lower resale value for EVs is a huge boon for the industry. Cheaper EVs for people who want an EV but can’t afford a new one? It’s perfect.

[thomasnyborg]

PHEV is completely dead in Norway.They sold ok back in 2015-2020 but not anymore.EV, s now have enough range to get you through the day..And yes, the cost of gasoline is around 11$ a gallon in Europe.

[leesprout]

Even with "sales dropping" I'm interested in seeing the used EV market being the gateway to more sales!
I picked up a 17 Bolt for $9, 500 *after credit
That infinitely opens the door for first time EV buyers.

[SkittlesCandy-kh]

It’s not the end of EVs, it’s the beginning of EVs. I’m replacing all my gas cars with EVs.

[spazzman]

The US take on EVs will be much different than Europe mainly because of the difference in fuel prices. The oil industry here is fighting a silent war on EVs. Right now. Gas prices are what I would consider to be artificially low. $3.50 where I live, and I've seen gas over $5 a gallon here many times over the last 15 years. In 2024, $5 would still be quite reasonable for most households, it would probably take at least $7 for people raise an eyebrow. $8 or higher, and every EV would sell, instantly. But, the game is afoot. And only a few know how things are going to go for this country, and they ain't talking.

[Skylancer]

I completely disagree, EVs change far more dramatically from year to year than gas, that's the whole reason their sales values have been dropping. I don't think it's at all the demand, EV demand is still fairly high and as you've shown over 60% of people would consider an EV for their next car, as would I. But EVs have been dramatically changing really adding doubt on when you should buy one. We have new batteries coming like iron phosphate and sodium ion, faster charging rates like 350kwh, changing the entire charging standard making those who bought early have more screwy charge rates or needing $200-400 adapters, different motor types from radial to axial, permanent magnet vs induction motors, the possibility of wireless charging standards, etc.

What exactly has been changing year to year on gas cars in comparison? What that they now have a panoramic camera view or a different exterior design? I mean a 2021 and 2022 Camry are so similar when my sister hit a deer they used the other's front end for a replacement. They look different but they even have identical mounting. Really the big upgrades in gas are the same ones with EVs, just a couple more luxury features for the highest end model and that's about it. In EVs there's also things like different display processors, software upgrades, plug to charge payment, etc.

[bradleyanderson]

Part of the reason for a sales slow down: high interest rates, 3 years of high inflation thus reducing funds available for a new EV, gas prices being comparably cheap if compared to history and to inflation, the head of the EV manufacturer responsible for over half of all EVS sold in the USA stepping on(use your imagination), software problems in several models, bizarrely complex tax incentives, overly complex user interfaces, politically motivated FUD, states slow walking the NEVI projects. Some of these are subject to possible improvement but some are baked into the next few years.

[xaionik]

The total cost of ownership is a hard sell when the upfront cost of the car is what turns people away. More than half of the country can't afford the current average price of a car. High EV sticker prices have to come down for mass adoption. Bolt EUV and Tesla Model 3/Y proves this when the sticker price drops below $35k after the tax rebate.