Friends are ditching their gasser for an EV (Leaf? Volt?) Update: Bolt!

[ME_Andy]

He had at least one or two good points. But, I still think EVs are better.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Even people that don't own a vehicle rely on the infrastructure for the goods and services they consume. Goods don't just magically appear in the home.

Even if you're a house-bound agoraphobe, the people who deliver goods and services to your home pay their highway fuel taxes, which are included in the cost of delivery. Prior to EVs, fuel taxes have been about the fairest possible way of allocating cost that doesn't involve massive invasion of privacy, and a huge amount of bookkeeping overhead.

[freebeard]

ME_Andy -- That's the art of it; just enough bait, then you set the hook.

jamesqf -- That is the problem, it's on a state-by-state basis. So if for instance Oregon wants to tax by the mile traveled they have to distinguish in-state and out-of-state miles.

Did anyone say panopticon, because that's how you get a panopticon

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

...allocating cost that doesn't involve massive invasion of privacy, and a huge amount of bookkeeping overhead.

The best way to reduce overhead and eliminate privacy issues is to fund infrastructure in regular taxes. People with more money will pay more of the infrastructure, which is fair because they are likely to be the highest consumers of goods and services.

I'm all about elimination of layers of administration and enforcement, and reducing the avenues of cheating. That's why I'm for a federal sales tax and the elimination of all deductions. Send the IRS and most CPAs to the unemployment line.

[MetroMPG]

FYI: I'll be seeing these friends again this evening. Maybe an update on their decision.

Meanwhile, a neighbour down the street who was interested in the Volt ended up buying a mid-sized SUV. His wife liked it more. Previous vehicle was a Buick Regal sedan.

[jakobnev]

If a tires lifetime road wear could be predicted, then tires could be taxed for road wear in the future, for both electric and fuel burning vehicles.

[freebeard]

I'd thought about that; but I hadn't considered the drifters.

It would hasten the advent of 3D printed polyurethane tires.

[Puddlejumper]

I own a 2014 Chevy Volt that I bought new as a leftover in February 2016.
Range:
Winter 28-30 miles
Summer 42 miles.
The battery is limited to using 10 KW out of 16 KW.
The price for electricity is $.14/per kwhr
So, I drive for 5 cents per mile in the winter and 3.3 cents per mile in the summer.

Additionally, I use this vehicle to do our 250 mile round trips and I seem to get 42 mpg on the highway in pure ICE mode. So, the engine is nice to have.

It is cramped but handles nice-this is the closest to a sports car I'm going to get. The transmission is pure joy and I don't miss the shifting of gears at all. These planetary gearboxes are the future drivetrains IMHO (although it will be powered by hydrogen and not a big heavy battery).

The kids love it- my 16 year old drives it all the time and he thinks it his car. My 14 year says she is going to get it when he leaves for college.

It was very affordable with the US federal tax rebate and my state rebate.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by Puddlejumper

The price for electricity is $.14/per kwhr
So, I drive for 5 cents per mile in the winter and 3.3 cents per mile in the summer.

Well, with gas at $2.20/gal hereabouts, and getting 70 mpg in the Insight, I guess fuel cost is another reason I'm not going to be buying a Volt real soon :-(

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by freebeard

It would hasten the advent of 3D printed polyurethane tires.

DIY retread kits. Don't let the gubmint keep you down.