this post was submitted on 03 Mar 2026
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xkcd
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As an EV owner, I have recieved an interesting amount of reasons why people won't buy them:
After this, they usually proceed to make absurd claims like "I don't care, I just don't trust EVs.
The best argument against the blackout bit: Ukraine
Every single used budget EV was bought up by Ukrainians when the war started. Nissan Leafs, older Hyundai Ioniqs, Renault Zoes
Gas stations were bombed and the whole logistic chain for delivering gasoline and diesel was disrupted or prioritised for the military
But everyone had power at least for a part of the day, so they could charge EVs.
What if everyone woke up at about the same time and plugged in their toasters to make breakfast? ARMAGEDDON.
ICE cars grow in fields, that's just science.
The EV battery will wear out and cost eleventy million dollars to replace, and we have to throw all the old batteries in rivers.
EVs catch fire! no way gasoline could catch fire!
and finally, what happens if you give up on life and want to end it all? Can't die in a sealed garage with an EV running!
I didn’t see this one: I’ll never buy a car made after 2011 for privacy reasons. (As well as repairability)
It seems like my best bet is to retrofit an older petrol car. I’d spend a lot, probably even more than what a new car costs in cash, but I haven’t found a great ev swap plan yet, so hopefully in the future. I’ve saved a couple of totaled cars from the scrapyard so far.
I’d honestly probably spend upwards of $100k in cash on a privacy-first new EV with features I want, but apparently the car industry doesn’t want to make a product for me. (Not the slate truck)
My 2018 car has no privacy issues. Also, I DGAF about people knowing I drive to and from work. If you are really concerned about privacy, don't use the internet.
Also, car insurance premiums increase just from the lack of privacy.
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1144138_gm-sued-for-selling-info-of-16-million-drivers-to-insurance-companies
My dream car is one of those UN spec Toyota Land Cruisers that can run on any dirt water that resembles diesel and can be repaired with a roll of duct tape, a large spanner and a hammer in the middle of a jungle.
https://www.offgridweb.com/transportation/toyota-gibraltar-the-secret-factory-that-builds-trucks-for-the-un/
They don’t meet any emissions requirements though so they’re fully illegal in any western countries 😅
Very much similar to my own experience. The blackout is the funniest, because gas stations don't work in a blackout, while solar panels do (assuming you disconnect them from the grid).
I would add one:
What ICE car goes 1000km without filling up?
A bunch of German diesels have 70L+ tanks and can comfortably cruise under 7L/100km at highway speeds. Passat, Audi A4, A6, and A8, BMW 3, 5 and 7 series, Mercedes C, E and S class.
So the trick is just burn more fuel!
My hybrid is running at 4.8-5 L/100.
That is under 7L too...
PS: if you had a 50L tank you car can do 1.000km too
A few diesels in theory if you drive economically
maybe on the internet. and we'll just ignore all the pollutants Diesels spew.
Oh, yeah! I forgot that one!
When you ask them how many times they found themselves with a thermic car doing 1000km without stopping they usually tell you: never, but what if I had to?
Bitch, if you need to do 1000km without stopping, you should be taking a train or a plane. Driving 10-12 hours without a single stop is bad and dangerous.
What if a comet was headed for your town and it has a radius of 500KM? Check and mate, libtard!
Americans do this on July 4 weekend, the highways are carnage.
My father in-law uses that added argument all the time. Who the hell needs to drive for 10 hours straight without taking a 30 minute break.
It's the same mentality as V8 pickup buyers. But what if I need to tow my yacht one day? My truck was pretty damned convenient that day in 2017 when I had to move my brother-in-law's sofa!
It sounds crazy, but I'd sit and wait the five minutes, much like I've done for pumps on occasion.
I actually have been in similar scenario, but one hour charging at home will get me to any such place (or I could have, you know, hit up a supercharger on my way)
The complaint may be that it’s an emergency but how often can you not even wait an hour? Especially since it’s half gone by the time I unload the car, use the rest room, etc
Another point to add for 9, all the EV parts can be recycled. The metal body is recycled in to new cars and battery components are also recycled in to new batteries.
Relevant technology connections video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtQ9nt2ZeGM
My reason for not buying an EV: it's still a fucking car. Bit less shit, but still shit.
That should be Number 1 Reason to not buy an EV!