Increase in Anti-EV Media Articles

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.

I wouldn't agree with the part about ad hoc trips. Not many people will jump in their car and drive for hours without some planning, no matter what the fuel is. There will always be exceptions but living rurally and having an EV is not an issue for the majority.

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.

There's a lot of that too for sure.

I've been doing Waterford (occasionally Tramore) weekly for the past year from Dublin via Enniscorthy. Ionity Gorey is the failsafe if I'm low on the way back, but I haven't needed to stop there yet. 2 kids and a dog, but their weight would be negligible compared to the car.

I live at the foot of the Slieve Bloom mountains and the nearest public charger is around 20km away. Coming up to a year of EV ownership and I have only used a public charger 3 times.

Every time it was my wife's fault for not telling me it was low and needed charging, so realistically, I didn't need to use them! Each time, I pulled up to the charger, - no queues, went to the toilet, and grabbed a coffee. By the time I came out, I had usually added around 30 kwh which was more than enough to get me home. I regularly travel to Dublin and if it's charged it to 100%, I have no problems with the range. Gone to Waterford and Cork too with no need to charge.

When considering buying an EV, the range was always deterring me, but when I actually examined my daily mileage, I realised that I rarely go over 250 - 300km a day. The fact that I never technically 'needed' to use a public charger proves this.

IMO, rural is perfect for an EV but I think the pushback stems from people being told they will have to adopt. There is a lot of misinformation and even hatred towards EVs... why anyone could hate an inanimate object is beyond me! On many occasions, my wife's work colleagues have peddled nonsense to her including

• EV's are deathtraps that will spontaneously combust
• The batteries fail and cost more than the car to replace
• The range will drop to next to nothing in winter
• Insurance will go up - ironically, mine went down by over 50% / €300 and I'm only paying €310 for fully comp with NCB protection
• Our EV will be worth nothing in 3 years

I just laugh.

Seeing lots of them around.

too true.

You see the comments in boards travel section that Cork people find Rosslare like the other end of the world, and on the continent anything more than a couple of hours drive is seen as equivalent to the Le Mans 24 hours, they either avoid long drives like the plague or like the bossman above, have relatively unnecessary comfort stops.

The media articles slanting Evs really need to acknowledge this and show that for a large chunk of drivers that even an Ev with relatively low range would be fine.

Late to the thread and not on top of things information wise but for me a massive concern would be initial outlay, depreciation and resale value. Like how much is a 3, 4 or 5 year old EV going to be worth especially wrt battery degradation? Like what will that same degradation do to range which is even at brand new and most optimistic values only just ok.

Am I wrong?

Do you need 300km each day? Because that's what half decent EV's can currently do. Pop over to the ID3 thread and you can see owners report only 5 to 6% battery degradation after 3 years.

As for outlay a 4 year old ID3 can be picked up for under 20k with the initial whack of depreciation behind it. That's on par with ice cars of a similar spec.

Thats not so bad, must look into this.

I understand people's concerns regarding battery and yes, the battery will degrade but not to the levels that many think. It's also worth noting and it's often overlooked in the discussion, that ICE engines will also lose performance and fuel efficiency.

ICE engines have many components that need replacement that are not present with an EV. Oil, fuel filters, and regular servicing are vital to keeping an ICE performing optimally, but there will always be carbon build-up. Then you have other things like timing belts, exhaust, DPF, ignition coils /spark plugs, etc. The drivetrain in an ICE vehicle contains around 2,000 moving parts, whereas the drivetrain in an EV contains around 20... plus there is no carbon build-up to worry about.

Naysayers will always circle back to the battery, but battery tech has improved immensely in the last 10 years. Spin-off companies that can replace cells rather than batteries are popping up and batteries are lasting a lot longer now. People understand how to manage and maintain their battery and they know how to get the most of out them. Most new batteries will outlast the car nowadays.