"You Don't Need That Giant Battery"

[Mopey]

No one ever said that EVs are for everyone, nor for every purpose.

Actually, a large group of people have said exactly that.

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[TGIF]

Respectfully, this post is a good example of the “EV Sugar Coating” I sometimes hear among EV enthusiasts. It discounts real world needs (and preferences) and glosses over the inconveniences. Let’s take this piece by piece…



First, we all know that 300 miles of range might be more like 180 in the winter. Maybe even 150 with a bad head wind. And you really think there are a lot of people who never need to take a 200 mile road trip?



DCFC is still somewhat sparse, and there is still a relatively outsized risk the charger you arrive at will be inoperable or slow. Sugar coating. L1 for most use cases? Sugar coating.



The vast majority of hotels don’t. And the ones that do often have just one or two that might be occupied. Sugar coating.

EVs are great. I love mine. But I’m willing to put up with a lot of crap that most people aren’t. Every EV owner has a story, often many stories, of having to do something weird/inconvenient to charge. We need to be frank about the pros and cons.

EV makers cannot ignore buyers’ preferences. I could justify owning an EV with a range of 100 miles. It would work for my daily small town use. Would I buy it? No. I, a midwesterner, don’t want to find a charger every time I go to the city. I can afford more range and in my mind I need it. The occasional inconveniences of EVs (road trip charging) require offsetting conveniences (charging at home).

EV adoption is in a state of flux. Increasing numbers require improved charging infrastructure. Only time will tell what that infrastructure should look like to accommodate various needs and increased demand.
While I love my EV, I agree with Mirak that there are pros and cons. We should acknowledge that.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Need? Wants? I always mix those up.

 

[DYohn]

Actually, a large group of people have said exactly that.

Those people are wrong - right now, anyway. Maybe eventually the support infrastructure and vehicle range will be sufficient for all purposes.

 

[DYohn]

Need? Wants? I always mix those up.

You and Abraham Maslow.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

Dear Electric Vehicle Owners: You Don’t Need That Giant Battery | WIRED

This article reeks of pinheaded smug elitism. It's also a good example of the new "you should be happy to make do with less" ethos that's always existed among the "intellectual" sphere but has really bloomed in this post-pandemic world.

I think we should strive for abundance, not condemn it. But more practically speaking, I need every damned bit of range I can get my hands on. I live in the midwest. Even with my extended battery, getting from Wichita to Kansas City is a risky proposition in wintertime when my range is reduced by 40%. Sure, I don't need the bigger battery 90% of the time, but I need a car that can also serve me the other 10% of the time. That's like saying "you don't need air conditioning because it's only hot 3 months out of the year." Or "you don't need a roof because it only rains three times a month." Just stupid.

I agree. These "one size fits all" blanket statements really annoy the F out of me. Basically, shut the hell up. You don't know me or what my life is like and you sure as hell in no position to make choices for me.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

I do believe that mass adoption will take low cost vehicles which will need smaller batteries unless something changes in battery costs. That being said we, and by that I at least mean I, need a bit more range as there is a lot of nothing between places here in Alaska. Same with a lot of the west. In the future, if I live long enough, I could see myself with a smaller more efficient commuter vehicle with a smaller battery and a second general purpose vehicle with a larger capacity.

@AKgrampy you go ahead and buy the biggest damn battery your heart desires. You won't hear a peep from me

 

[JCHLi]

I agree. These "one size fits all" blanket statements really annoy the F out of me. Basically, shut the hell up. You don't know me or what my life is like and you sure as hell in no position to make choices for me.

But the article title "Maybe you need that giant battery, or maybe you don't. I'm not sure about your unique circumstances so why bother. Just do whatever you want" was too long...

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