Decline of electric vehicle purchases
The recent news from Germany and the Netherlands has raised concerns about a decline in electric vehicle (EV) purchases. In Germany, new-car registrations plunged in December, which industry bodies attribute to the early withdrawal of the environmental bonus for EV purchases. Additionally, Volkswagen lost its lead in Germany’s EV market, with its EV market share falling 11.4% in October.
The decline in EV purchases can be attributed to various factors, including incentive changes and the withdrawal of subsidies. For example, Germany abruptly ended its subsidy program for EVs, leading to concerns about its impact on EV sales.
Problems of owning a hybrid or EV
Here are some of the issues:
- Complexity of Hybrids: Hybrids combine the complexities of internal combustion engines and battery power, which can lead to significant costs for carmakers. This has led to a dilemma in the auto industry, as some manufacturers are unsure whether hybrids are a bridge to an all-electric future or a dead end.
- Environmental Impact of Hybrids: While hybrids are popular and offer fuel savings, there may be a hidden environmental impact due to the large battery that makes a hybrid possible. This has raised concerns about the overall environmental benefit of hybrids.
- Reliability and Problems: According to Consumer Reports, electric vehicles have nearly 80% more problems than gas-powered cars, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have an even worse scorecard, with an average of almost 150% more problems. This is due to the complexity of the new power systems in EVs and the combination of power sources in PHEVs, which can lead to more potential issues.
- Charging Outside the Garage: In some cases, homeowners’ associations (HOAs) may request that electric vehicle (EV) owners charge their vehicles outside the garage. This has led to discussions about the fire risk of EVs compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
- Competing for the carport: Ensuring that a hybrid car maintains low fuel costs requires daily charging when in use. This can be quite cumbersome when sharing a single car port with two vehicles.
In summary, sharing a carport with a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle when you own an electric or hybrid car can lead to challenges related to the complexity, environmental impact, reliability, and charging considerations of these vehicles. As the auto industry continues to evolve and address these issues, it’s important for car owners and policymakers to consider the implications of integrating electric and hybrid vehicles into shared parking spaces and residential communities.
What about me?
While in the market for a low-mileage luxury vehicle, I was considering both hybrids and petrol engines. Hybrids offer impressive power and fuel efficiency, but they are also associated with various challenges. During a test drive of a Volvo S90 T8, I was thoroughly impressed by its performance, featuring 408 horsepower and a seamless transition between electric and traditional power. The comfort of the interior further enhanced the driving experience. However, I’ll spare you a detailed car review.
Due to cost, daily charging requirements, and the potential expenses associated with repairing the electric drive train or battery, I chose a diesel engine with sufficient torque over a high-powered hybrid luxury sedan. I am still not convinced about the durability of the battery. And when I hear prices around $10,000 to get the battery replaced for a hybrid, then no thanks.
Conclusion
The transition to all-electric vehicles may not follow a straightforward path. The emergence of hydrogen cars as a viable alternative, along with the current environmental concerns surrounding batteries, has added complexity to the decision-making process. Additionally, the challenges of charging electric vehicles without posing fire risks have further contributed to the evolving landscape of vehicle choices.
A few years ago, the anticipation was that electric vehicles would become a more viable option within six years. However, the current market for hybrids or electric cars is still dominated by company cars, and the high cost, limited range, and safety concerns, including potential fire and electromagnetic field hazards, have influenced the decision-making process.