https://www.wired.com/story/china-conquers-mexican-automotive-market-and-the-us-is-worried/
State department hand wringing that China is going to use the US trade agreements as they were designed is 
I fully expect them to redo these with “except china” clauses.
God, I would HATE IT SO MUCH if I could buy a cheap electric car. I’m SO FUCKIN WORRIED GUYS!
I too wish the free market was actually free sometimes. I want a small, cheap, efficient car like literally every other country in the world produces.
I use protectionism as a huge talking point so much.
“We like to claim we’re all about free market, but the US is a very protectionist country and even then only to capital, the idea of protectionism for workers like affordable college or stopping companies from shipping jobs overseas is seen as profane but workers are not allowed to outsource where they consume.
Real talk, I’m strongly considering buying a used EV on the cheap. Trying to suss out which platforms are the likeliest to have a longer lifespan. I think circa 2019 Bolts are in my sweet spot of affordability and best chance of holding up longer term. I’d love to find one with 20-40k miles on it.
I’ve driven a lot of Bolts (but not owned one, I don’t got that kind of money and detest modern vehicles with their snitching electronics), they feel a lot more solidly put together than the nissan leaf, for whatever that’s worth. I don’t have any special insight on the longevity, but short of a major electrical component failing prematurely, or another battery recall type issue with individual cells, the longevity will mostly be down to how it’s been driven and charged.
My 2013 volt is an absolute tank. I had to replace a cell at 100k miles. I bought it at 60k and besides that have only had to change the oil and put new tires on it. The GM electric drive train seems really well designed, unless ofc it was enshittified.
the volt and the bolt are pretty different ofc but yeah. GM is seemingly fully capable of making a decent electric drivetrain, and besides the battery cell recalls and general software bullshit I haven’t heard anything bad about the Bolt yet
Hear ya about modern vehicles. Waiting for the day they require an account to turn the radio on. Thanks for the word.
The problem with buying a non Tesla EV is that the charging infrastructure is nonexistent. Like you might have one station on a 300 mile stretch and find that it’s out of service when you get there
If you’re only doing local driving it’s a nice little car.
Agreed … and the problem with buying a Tesla is I want me, my family, and the people around us on the road to stay alive. But in our case local driving is good enough for us.
I have a relative that owns a Tesla Model 3 because there is no other charging infrastructure in his part of the country and he bought before everyone knew Elon was a right wing asshole. He let me drive it a couple times. If you don’t use the self driving, a Tesla drives like any other EV. Though, I wouldn’t get in any Tesla if the driver intended to use the self driving.
Yes… also would be nervous of some OTA update bricking the door latches or some stupid shit like that.
I bought a used 2017 Nissan Leaf in 2019 because it had one of the best battery warranties on the market. Good thing, because I had to use that warranty this year when the capacity dropped a bunch and they upgraded me to a 40 KWh kit.
nice luck roll, glad it turned out well for you. how many miles do you average per charge on that new pack?
After a few longer trips, getting a consistent 120 miles at highway speed before it’s close to dead. No idea how many at street level speeds, but more than plenty.
Imagine the horror of having a safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly way to traverse our countries hellscape of freeways. Nope, you are gonna want a powerstroke diesel 6-wheeled truck with king cab and automatic trailer parking. you might need to tow something one day after all.
exactly, and until that day comes I’ll keep driving it around with the bed and cab completely empty