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“Why don’t you just get a Bolt?”
A while ago, I answered the question, “Why don’t they just get a Tesla?” And I showed why that question is problematic. But now, EVs are part of a nationwide push. Here in California, they want to ban the sale of gas-powered motor vehicles by 2035. Automotive makers are already migrating their vehicles to EV, and the Infrastructure Bill funds the building of charging stations and gives tax credits to EV buyers. So, my next car will be an EV.
There’s a lot to like about EVs. I’m getting a taste of that experience with my 2017 Toyota Prius Prime. In EV mode, acceleration is smooth and effortless. The ride is quiet. And when I commute to work or do errands around the area, I can stay in EV mode. But after around 25 miles (40.2 km) of driving, the batteries run out, and the gasoline engine kicks in. Performance is rougher and more labored. Part of it comes from that engine having to drag around those now useless batteries. But with my wife’s gas-only Hyundai Elantra, I can tell the difference between the chugging and vibrating labor of a gasoline engine and the smooth and responsive performance of electric motors.
If, for some reason, I had to get an EV right now, which one would I get? Most EVs have several problems. First, they’re hard to find in stock, and preorders mean long delays. They are very expensive, even with the tax breaks. And you know the vehicles…
