My Rant About Electric Cars
@bobbyllew, Please Don’t Hate Me
Before I start today’s rant, I know I’m probably going to upset a few people with the title alone. I’m prepared for some backlash, but I’ll be ignoring those who haven’t actually bothered to read the post.
To those of you who have made it this far, I want to say that I completely agree with the goal of going green. I’d love to have my own eco-home built from straw and lime render, running on solar power and a watermill (even though I’m terrified of deep water). I see the urgent need for the world to change how we generate power and transport ourselves.
@elonmusk is right when he says the only thing we can’t easily power with batteries is rockets. Scientists are working on electric airplanes, train companies are experimenting with hydrogen and battery fleets, and traditional car manufacturers are finally seeing the light.
The Real Problem: Price and Accessibility
The problem I have—as a self-proclaimed hippie born in the wrong decade—isn’t the technology. It’s the price. While many people earn enough to buy or rent an electric car, it’s currently impossible for me and my partner. Finance is so tight that even driving lessons are a struggle, let alone the cost of car ownership.
I’ve looked into renting small EVs like the Renault Zoe or the MG ZS EV, but I hit a wall:
- I don’t drive.
- The cost is still too high.
- My credit rating is essentially non-existent (I was an idiot as a teenager).
- We live in a first-floor flat with no way to charge at home and nowhere to park.
Even when looking for second-hand options on eBay, there’s nothing under £1,000. The cheapest I could find was a Nissan Leaf for £5,000, which still required a monthly battery lease fee. That fee has always infuriated me. In the early days, maybe it made sense, but manufacturers should be swapping those old batteries out for new ones and dropping the monthly charge.
The "Luxury" Barrier
I’d love for someone to hand me the keys to a Tesla Model 3 (or a Model Y). I would happily drive to Hull once a week to use a Supercharger. While Tesla is considered a luxury brand, it would be fantastic if they came out with a small, compact car that costs less than £20,000—something I could hope to buy one day, third-hand, for around a grand. They are the clear kings of battery tech and self-driving, and I hope they keep pushing the envelope.
Public Transport Disappointment
The other thing that boils my blood is that local bus companies around Hull and East Yorkshire don’t seem to care about going green. None of the buses I see are hybrids, let alone electric. With fewer passengers allowed on buses at times, transitioning to electric would save companies a fortune in maintenance, oil, and brake pads. They would be back in profit quickly once restrictions are lifted.
I think I’ve ranted enough. What are your thoughts on green transportation? Do you think the prices are too high, or is the issue with car ownership in general? How would you convince manufacturers to lower their prices? Let me know in the comments below!