To not get the hate thrown at EVs?

[EngineStart]

We have an EV. We didn’t get it for environmental reasons, we got it because I have access to an EV lease scheme via work and it was the most cost effective way for us to get a new car. I don’t think I’m morally superior for having one. It serves us well, is nice to drive, and cheaper (for us) than running a petrol car.

What I don’t get is the visceral hatred some people have for them. I understand they aren’t for everyone, there are definite logistical challenges with on-street parking and long journeys particularly. However, I expect range and logistics to improve as time goes on. I also get that some car fans might find them a bit sanitised. But I don’t really get why some people are so viciously against them?

AIBU?

Some people are quite attached to cars and they are a hobby for them so don't like so radical a change.

There is also a huge VI around petrol/diesel cars. So garages, mechanics etc who will be reduced considerably when the world goes electric as the maintenance requirements for them are a lot less. These people are scared their work will dry up so take the opportunity to rubbish EVs every time they can.

I think they are good (I have a hybrid). but I see a lot of ICE car proponents rubbishing them for stupid reasons like they do one 300 mile trip a year and the EV won't managed it without a charge up.

Most of the reasons ICE come up with to rubbish ICE cars are ... rubbish. Some people, like those who don't have drives I think probably have a legitimate reason why they are not suitable for them. Of course just because it isn't suitable for you does not mean it is rubbish. But some people lack the capability to think beyond their own particular requirements.

"visceral hatred" ? "viciously against them"? Really?

My annoyance has to do with the fact that the batteries and methods of production actually nullify any benefit they may give long term.

their poor resale capability
high prices compared to petrol cars
the lack of longevity on the batteries
lack of charging points
mileage capabilities on a full charge

despite all these issues people are being pushed to buy them by underhand methods.

Fair enough as a little runabout, but no good for long journeys.

I've never heard anyone say they hate them.

But it does get really frustrating when some people think they're the bees knees and that anyone who won't consider one is backwards, or stupid or whatever else, which happens a lot on the threads on here.

Yes, go on Twitter - lots of people who actually hate them, not just they don’t want one, no one should have them.

OMG! Yes. My DSis is always trying to get me into an argument about how awful they are. She’s so angry about us having an EV.

She’s trapped in really unhelpful algorithms and only uses SM for news. She’s gone from left wing to far right, racist, covid sceptic, climate change denying, sexist (now thinks women should know their place).

I think it’s Russia. Which sounds like a conspiracy theory, but there is hard evidence presented by reputable newspapers to show that Russia is trying to create division by actively targeting SM.

Far too expensive with extremely limited range.

I don’t hate but I don’t trust them. EV are essentially a computer and all computers can be hacked

I think a lot of it comes from the fact that we were told that diesel was the future and now x years later electric is being forced upon us

Diesel cars will stop being sold in the uk at some point fairly soon

Electric cars are being sold as more environmentally friendly but if you look at what it takes to create the battery it's bs

Then you have the issue of all the knackered old batteries. We've had tablets and phones which are now scrap. I saw a doc on electric cars and a first gen Nissan leaf tested had to abandon the test as the battery was so shot

Where does it go, the local landfill?

People without driveways, where do they charge the car?

I work at a main dealer and all the sales people and technicians hate electric cars

I wouldn't say that I do but I have no intention of buying one anytime soon

Your first point is wrong. Depending on where the battery is made, the production is either on a par with or worse than ICE vehicles. But, when you take into consideration the whole lifespan they are the lowest carbon footprint.

The best is Scandinavian built batteries (using green energy in production) and running in renewable energy.

Yeah it's very true, complete hatred from some people for what seems like very odd reasons. Our EV has a range of 275 miles which is plenty for most journeys, when it's not it's really not that much bother to charge half way through the journey.
If you don't want one, don't get one - but I can honestly say that in 3 years of having an EV the range or need to charge it has given me zero anxiety at all

H
ah thank you, happy to be educated. I have been looking into hybrids but we do too many UK holidays (long journeys) to go full EV

The newer models have 300 + mile range, lots of charging options and take very little time to charge. You’d probably take a 20 min break on a 300 mile journey anyway. The technology just keeps improving.

What visceral hate?

Although as I write that, I recall a few times when Ive nearly been hit by them, the silence (and no I cant hear them at low speeds either) is a problem for me

I do object to the push of them, particularly when not everyones lives (mine for example) is suited to them and dont agree about their green credentials to the degree they are advocated, but I havent seen or experienced visceral hate.

This. All of this. ^

Sorry @EngineStart but for all the reasons above, no-one will ever convince me to have an EV. Each to their own - and I wouldn't bash or criticise anyone for it, but I will be buying a petrol car for as long as is humanly possible.

The Government has already pushed back the date from 2030 to 2035 for petrol and diesel vehicles to stop being made. I foresee it being pushed back another 5 years by 2027-2028, as we simply don't have the infrastructure for it, EVs are too limited in so many ways, and most people cannot afford a new EV.

EVs have also been proven to be dangerous/catch fire easily.

I don't see things being much different in 3-5 years time.

I've seen some really angry posts against them even on here. I don't venture to Twitter but I imagine it's even worse.

Plenty of hate for petrol cars and their drivers, extending to interfering with their tires in the night etc.

Back to OPs original point tbh I think some people are just pushing back because the change feels a bit forced and rushed and using guilt as a stick isn’t a good way to bring people with you

and we have a petrol XC90 that we don’t use much and a small EV that we use around town and taking DS to school

I definitely don't hate them and have been giving a lot of thought to our next car being electric. But, they are not as environmentally friendly as they are claimed to be. Eventually we will have millions of used EV batteries that will just be buried in the ground.

I was going to include the safety thing but wasn't sure the figures so I left that out..

Probably like the people on here who get cross about vegans- a sort of inability to
cope with the fact that someone has made a different and possibly better moral choice, so that choice has to be rubbished.

I read up about battery production and the carbon footprint of production. Those made in China using fossil fuel energy mean that production is worse than ICE cars. If the battery is made in Scandinavia using renewables it’s on a par with ICE vehicles. Over the life span (well I think it was actually just a few years but I can’t remember) the carbon footprint evens out and then is much lower than ICE. Especially if run on renewable energy. I’ll try and dig out the info.

If you don't want one, don't get one - but I can honestly say that in 3 years of having an EV the range or need to charge it has given me zero anxiety at all

I think that whether range/charging is an issue depends massively on your location and lifestyle. I wouldn't get an EV as we have no guaranteed off-road parking and our town only has two public chargers.

I don't hate them I just don't want one. (And I find them creepy )

I've only seen it on-line YouTube and YouTube shorts - manly in last big freeze in USA when they couldn't charge - very smug their gas car still worked and seem to hate electric cars.

I did see someone we watch review those early 2000 light bulbs that were environmentally friendly but took ages to get light - he pretty much said everything I thought at time and was dismissed by green lobby as rubbish. The technology wasn't quite there they could have made improvements and they got supersede by cheap LEDs. No sure about electric cars but do feel heat pumps are in similar place - all obvious downsides dismissed.

I regularly drive 300 miles each way to visit family. I couldn't do that safely in one charge. People say it only takes 20 minutes to charge, but that's after joining a queue, each taking 20 minutes. I only stop briefly for the loo once and then again to eat lunch in a rural churchyard. I still have 200 miles in the tank when I arrive. I don't want an EV and I suspect (hope) other technology will be overtaking it.