←back to thread

The withering dream of a cheap American electric car

(www.wsj.com)
152 points voisin | 5 comments | 17 Nov 24 23:52 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
Show context
bartvk ◴[18 Nov 24 00:05 UTC] No.42168473[source]▶
https://archive.ph/9oIT4

I wish it would have adjusted for inflation. One quote: "The average transaction price for a new vehicle sold in the U.S. last month was $48,623, according to Kelley Blue Book, roughly $10,000 higher than in 2019, before the pandemic." However, about 9200 euros of that is due to inflation according to this calculator: https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/

That's a nitpick though. All in all, an interesting article, which can be summarized as: the EV car market is lacking demand, and car makers definitely don't want to make cheap EVs since it's already so hard.

replies(6): >>42168514 #>>42168570 #>>42168574 #>>42168580 #>>42174015 #>>42174403 #
AgentOrange1234 ◴[18 Nov 24 00:21 UTC] No.42168570[source]▶
If even ICE cars are now super expensive, why isn’t this a screaming opportunity for some auto manufacturer to target the low end of the market?

I’ve never spent more than 20k for a car. With prices like this, I’m just going to keep my old one as long as I can.

replies(13): >>42168584 #>>42168591 #>>42168650 #>>42168697 #>>42168743 #>>42168748 #>>42168749 #>>42168762 #>>42168788 #>>42172709 #>>42173145 #>>42173595 #>>42173943 #
rsynnott ◴[18 Nov 24 15:21 UTC] No.42173145[source]▶
Looking at what's available in Ireland at the moment, in the 20-30k range there's a Nissan, a VW (though it's the ancient e-Up, due to be replaced by the i2 any day now), a BYD, a Fiat, an MG, and an Ora (tragically no longer under the names "Good Cat", or "Funky Cat", presumably because Ora got around to hiring someone who had heard of marketing).

There are a bunch more in this price range due to launch next year.

Cheap-ish electric cars exist, they're just not, generally, suited to US consumer preferences.

replies(1): >>42173490 #
darknavi ◴[18 Nov 24 15:48 UTC] No.42173490[source]▶
> Cheap-ish electric cars exist, they're just not, generally, suited to US consumer preferences.

Some of the brands you listed aren't even really available in the US, or if they are that are 100% marked up with tariffs.

Big cars are definitely a thing in the US, but I'd kill for a ~$20k smaller EV hatch commuter to swap out my Model 3.

replies(1): >>42174476 #
1. klooney ◴[18 Nov 24 17:11 UTC] No.42174476[source]▶
The small hatch EVs have generally had ~200 mile ranges, which is a little tough
replies(2): >>42174931 #>>42176535 #
2. SoftTalker ◴[18 Nov 24 17:53 UTC] No.42174931[source]▶
If the cost is low enough, compromise on range becomes acceptable. I might buy a small, cheap EV that has range enough to handle my typical daily driving. But if I'm paying Tesla prices, it will need range to handle virtually all of my driving.
replies(1): >>42184010 #
3. darknavi ◴[18 Nov 24 20:25 UTC] No.42176535[source]▶
That'd be perfect for me to be honest. We have a Tesla Model Y which we can road trip in. I'm just looking for a slick, efficient commuter. I normally only charge my Model 3 to ~60%, which is ~150 miles of range anyways.
replies(1): >>42184040 #
4. klooney ◴[19 Nov 24 14:50 UTC] No.42184010[source]▶
I mean, this is the Nissan Leaf- lightly used ones are really cheap.
5. klooney ◴[19 Nov 24 14:52 UTC] No.42184040[source]▶
Have you considered a Leaf? They've been around forever, with around 200 miles of range.