Increase in Anti-EV Media Articles

People click on it, once they click then writers think they are interested so create more noise....

There have been some pushing the Toyota is dead angle online. There's this Australian guy on YouTube "Electric Viking" who has declared Toyota finished despite it having it's best ever year. He thinks Mazda are going to be the first of the established names to fall.

Toyota though have had their most successful ever year last year iirc, so writing their obituary I think is a bit premature. Electric drivetrains are relatively simple and Toyota has most of this work done from their hybrids already, the only thing they are really missing is battery tech, which most manufacturers have outsourced to battery specialists anyway.

Toyota are behind but they aren't doomed. VW are in a worse position imo.

VW are reacting to Telsa. Tesla are reacting to the chinese. MG is effectively Chinese. Its only a matter of time before other chinese brands catch up.

Lot of hype train in the media and social media.

You really have to do your own research to get a better idea whats real and whats fake, or hype.

The fossil fuel industry absolutely are underhanded. They have more than half a century of hiring PR agencies to downplay the need to act to address climate change

They spend millions of euros every year to 'donate' to 'think tanks' that exist only to distort the public discourse, and lobby for inaction on climate change

Yes but they had 10k to play with is my point of view

The grant from Irish government as well was just been used as manufacturer margin

The Chinese cars are better than the German ones and this is coming from someone who has one of each. BYD will not go bust. The only company I worry for is Polestar.

Polestar, although facing challenges, is not disappearing just yet. Geely, the parent company of both Polestar and Volvo, has restructured some aspects to ensure that Polestar’s losses do not directly impact Volvo. The next year will be crucial for Polestar’s success, especially with the upcoming releases of the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4.

As for evaluating a car’s success, waiting for 5+ years seems excessive. Notably, BYD cars have already made a significant presence on Irish roads, effectively replacing brands like Kia and Hyundai in the entry level market. It’s intriguing how quickly the automotive landscape can shift!

Hyundai BEVs outsold BYD nearly 2:1 in January so bot there yet.

. I'm sure they'll continue to grow as from experience as a buyer Hyundai and Kia weren't overly keen on selling EVs above a bare minimum quantity. If you wanted a Tuscon though ...

I agree 100%, the exception would be people living on the main street of towns etc that have the same easily surmount able obstacles as apartment dwellers if there was an appetite to address it.

Much of this skepticism can be traced back to Elon Musk and a persistent fear of globalism. Ironically, those who fear these changes are often the most influenced by them. Many struggle to accept that Elon produces exceptional cars that differ significantly from the vehicles they grew up with. As technology advances, EVs are sometimes unfairly dismissed as mere novelties, unnecessary in our lives.

Another point of contention arises from pushback against government policies. While governments do exert influence, most individuals still have the autonomy to make their own decisions regarding EV adoption.

Returning to the Elon Musk angle, there’s a cohort of middle-aged men who resent the decline of traditional car manufacturers. They grapple with the fact that legacy automakers no longer dominate the market, with an unconventional American tech guru now leading the charge. For some, clinging to their diesel vehicles becomes a symbolic act—a defiant response to the rise of EVs and the perceived Americanisation of the automotive industry.

The blanket statement that irks me the most is the assertion that “EVs are not the solution.” But what exactly are they not a solution to? It’s curious that hydrogen fuel cells are often touted as an alternative to EVs, even though EVs have yet to make a significant global impact. Why can’t both technologies coexist, much like diesel and petrol do today?

For years, I’ve hoped for an influential figure to debunk the notion that EVs are inherently flawed. Perhaps a compelling Netflix documentary could provide factual insights, allowing people to form their own opinions rather than relying on the biased views of Jeremy Clarkson, Harry Metcalfe, and Chris Harris. These individuals, die-hard petrolheads from a different era, may not fully appreciate the transformative potential of EVs.

As an old-timer myself, I understand the importance of technological progress and its positive impact on the world. However, there’s one thing that really gets under my skin: when fellow old-timers use their old cars as a political statement rather than simply enjoying them for what they are and using them to avoid putting another new car on the road. After all, old cars and electric vehicles both serve the same fundamental purpose: getting us from point A to point B.

Why the fuss? Well, it seems to stem from a clash of ideologies. Some view EVs as the future—a cleaner, more sustainable way to travel—while others cling to the nostalgia of classic automobiles. But in the end, whether you’re cruising in an old BMW or silently gliding in a Tesla, the destination remains the same. So let’s appreciate the journey, regardless of the wheels beneath us.

I would argue rural areas are where people have off street parking, own their own homes and so can get home charger, can get solar panels for charging cars for free. Often commutes to school and work are long, with modern EVs range of 300km+ it may make sense for many. Urban on street is an issue. I know someone driving a Mercedes ICE cannot buy a Mercedes EV due to on street parking with no charger (and cost of car). They would be mad to try.

In terms of a step change in EV vs ICE, a lot of brand new car sales are not EV and while sales of diesels are dropping many owners are simply holding off buying anything due to cost and confusion over EV. Many car owners can't decide and just keep what they have an delay. Massive depreciation, massive price increases in recent years, price drops and more price drops, trade in prices, high interest rates just cause people to hang on to what they have. The Mercedes owner I know did his first NCT ever as he never has had a 4 year old car.

As an EV owner I am not telling everyone to go EV, public charging is still an issue at peak times, although with a long range EV it's less of an issue. There is lots of mis information but some of it is somewhat relevant.

In terms of getting a home charger it's better to get one before the EV arrives as it can take a month or two and if you were grant approved before December 2023 you will get 600 euro grant, no need to have an EV, but you need to claim before grant expires. It can take surprisingly long to get a home charger installed.