In the 160 miles between my city and the next city, there’s only 1 chademo location. But there’s also only 1 CCS and 2 Supercharger locations. And the 2 superchargers are pretty close to each other. There are 7 gas stations within 1/2 mile of the highway exit that the chargers are at.
If you can charge at home, a used EV could easily have a lower cost of ownership.
Used Bolts/Leafs are in the $15k range. With the new tax credit, you will be able to save up to $4k which puts them in the $10k or less range. Factor in fuel and maintenance savings over an ICE and it’s like getting a car for a few thousand dollars.
I would be in favor of requiring landlords to install chargers if requested by their tenants. And I say this as a landlord.
According to ABRP, I can’t leave my city with my 2012 24kwh Leaf. Even a 40kwh Leaf wouldn’t make it. Has to be the 60+ kwh Leaf to make it.
Charging infrastructure has a long way to go.
I had a car dealership jerk me around before over a repair thay was taking way too long. I called up someone high up in the hierarchy of the dealership and the dealership manage called me back in a frightened voice and personally met with me at the dealership to talk to the body shop. I wasn’t mean or nasty, I just explained what happened and the gears started turning quickly after that.
I’m not convinced that a lack of charging stations at businesses is a significant reason people aren’t buying EVs. I charge at home every night and probably wouldn’t charge at a store unless it was free or I really needed the juice. So far I’ve gone 6 months without needing to charge away from my home.
The article asks the wrong question. Boosting EV sales should not be the goal. Reducing fossil fuel usage should be the goal.
We already know the solution to lowering consumption and that’s to raise prices. Tax gasoline at increasing rates over the next couple of decades. Use the taxes to install chargers, build renewable energy, etc.
By raising the price of fossil fuels, people will naturally seek alternatives. Some people will buy EVs, some will take public transport, walk, or bike. Some will drive less or carpool.
Let’s not lose sight of the goal here.
The Leaf was just a fun experiment that ended up completely changing my outlook on electric cars. I’ll use ICE for longer trips until I can save up enough to buy a newer EV.