• brucethemoose@lemmy.world
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    8 days ago

    Because the model 3 is about 4000lb, and the higher tiers are even heavier. They’re all super expensive, even with tax breaks. The “comparable” cars are like huge luxury vehicles or massive SUVs.

    That’s the nature of pure EVs. The drivetrain may be light, but the battery is extremely heavy.

    If they were eco friendly, they’d have tiny (I’m talking like 5 horsepower) cheap, ridiculously gas efficient range extenders in them instead of massive batteries, which correspondingly needs a massive chassis, suspension, fire protection systems, higher power charging and control electronics and so on. That’s the nature of the EV: they’re like rockets, where you pay exponential costs for carrying more mass around because the “fuel” is so heavy. And that’s setting aside the production costs of something so massive.

    And they’re mostly outfitted, and sold as, luxury vehicles, with the corresponding economic costs.

    …Don’t get me wrong, I think EVs are incredible, the philosophy behind teslas is cool… But a 4000lb+ compact car, or a 6,600lb personal truck, are not economical or environmentally friendly, however you slice it.

    • piccolo@sh.itjust.works
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      8 days ago

      The problem isnt nessecary telsa. Its the american culture. ‘Economical’ cars are looked down unpon. What sells is big trucks, suvs, or luxury cars. Telsa would had no chance of sucess if they didnt atleast appeal to the culture.

      Not saying compact EVs cant have some sucess, the chevy bolt and nissan leaf are examples. But the amount sold are a drop in the bucket compared to the model 3… https://afdc.energy.gov/data/10567

      • lobut@lemmy.ca
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        8 days ago

        I’m not American but having been to a few American cities. Boy do they really not give a shit about transportation outside of cars. Things can feel far apart and separated by so many lanes when you step away from the big cities.