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City dwellers who park on the street or even in apartment garages do not have the authority to install chargers. EVs are 100% off the table for me for at least

City dwellers who park on the street or even in apartment garages do not have the authority to install chargers. EVs are 100% off the table for me for at least 20 years (until I own a home) and probably forever (unlikely that I will own a suburban home). Sure, there are public chargers, but not nearly enough, considering that you have to sit at one for 45 minutes or more.

w1ntermute 11y ago
In 20 years, most cars (electric or not) will probably be self-driving ones owned and controlled by a centralized ride-sharing service. You won't need to charge/refuel them.
- fbbbbb 11y ago
  I agree, minus the ride-sharing part, which will have a very minor share, in numbers compared to taxis and similar. Car is still a necessity in the eyes of an average (first world) human and our individuality will not let us share them.
  - thomasahle 11y ago
    > Car is still a necessity in the eyes of an average (first world) human and our individuality will not let us share them. Individuality and fear of foreigners sure is a strong force. However so is saving money. There is a reason some people still take the bus, even when they could have taken a taxi.
    - fbbbbb 11y ago
      How does that relate to self driving cars?
      - thomasahle 11y ago
        If you can save 75% of trip costs, by sharing it with 3 other people, a lot of people will.
- JetSpiegel 11y ago
  This comment, combined with your username, just made me laugh out loud.
- paganel 11y ago
  > In 20 years, most cars (electric or not) will probably be self-driving ones owned and controlled by a centralized ride-sharing service This is not true. Just to give an example, how do you plan to implement that "centralized ride-sharing service" in a city like Cairo (current population 10+ million)? Sometimes HN users need to get out of their bubble.
  - mcguire 11y ago
    Or in a city like Huntsville, AL, with a population of 200,000 and a surprising number of workers who commute from 40 or more miles away?
  - w1ntermute 11y ago
    > how do you plan to implement that "centralized ride-sharing service" in a city like Cairo (current population 10+ million) https://www.uber.com/cities/cairo https://www.uber.com/cities/cairo
- Abraln 11y ago
  I would imagine that gas stations of the future will have the capability to fuel/charge cars without drivers present via some kind of pre-paid account. After you get home from work, push a button and the car drives itself to the nearest/cheapest station and a pump/cable extends. When full it drives itself back home.
  - superuser2 11y ago
    Perhaps, but this does not help one own an electric car in the near term.
Retric 11y ago
This is like high speed internet. If you care about it you can easily find an apartment in any large US city which lets you charge an EV, if you don't ahead of time you can have issues.
- superuser2 11y ago
  If you're willing to spend an unlimited amount of money, sure. In the Bay Area at anything close to 30% of income? Hell no.
  - Swizec 11y ago
    The GP's point is that if you care about charging as your highest of priorities, then you can do it. Personally I think that's a silly priority. You don't need to own a car in the city anyway. Unless maybe if you have very small kids that need special car seats. That makes taxiing/carsharing annoying.
    - superuser2 11y ago
      Well in my case (East Bay) I don't need to drive but I like it, and rideshare/public transit for every little errand is taxing and unnecessarily slow.
      - Swizec 11y ago
        I also like driving. But I've realized that while I like driving a car, I hate everything about owning a car. My opinion might change if I didn't live in SoMa, of course.
  - Retric 11y ago
    That depends on income. If you work retail @ 7/11 then EV's are probably a bad idea, but for 150+K tech worker it's really not a problem. Honestly, owning a regular car in NYC is far more of an issue for most people as a single space can run you 500+$ / month. Though, it can be far cheaper if your willing to park in a less convent location. EX: 1,000$/month and people are recommending it. http://www.parkwhiz.com/p/new-york-parking/105-duane-st/#monthly http://www.parkwhiz.com/p/new-york-parking/105-duane-st/#mon...

w1ntermute 11y ago

In 20 years, most cars (electric or not) will probably be self-driving ones owned and controlled by a centralized ride-sharing service. You won't need to charge/refuel them.

fbbbbb 11y ago
I agree, minus the ride-sharing part, which will have a very minor share, in numbers compared to taxis and similar. Car is still a necessity in the eyes of an average (first world) human and our individuality will not let us share them.
- thomasahle 11y ago
  > Car is still a necessity in the eyes of an average (first world) human and our individuality will not let us share them. Individuality and fear of foreigners sure is a strong force. However so is saving money. There is a reason some people still take the bus, even when they could have taken a taxi.
  - fbbbbb 11y ago
    How does that relate to self driving cars?
    - thomasahle 11y ago
      If you can save 75% of trip costs, by sharing it with 3 other people, a lot of people will.
JetSpiegel 11y ago
This comment, combined with your username, just made me laugh out loud.
paganel 11y ago
> In 20 years, most cars (electric or not) will probably be self-driving ones owned and controlled by a centralized ride-sharing service This is not true. Just to give an example, how do you plan to implement that "centralized ride-sharing service" in a city like Cairo (current population 10+ million)? Sometimes HN users need to get out of their bubble.
- mcguire 11y ago
  Or in a city like Huntsville, AL, with a population of 200,000 and a surprising number of workers who commute from 40 or more miles away?
- w1ntermute 11y ago
  > how do you plan to implement that "centralized ride-sharing service" in a city like Cairo (current population 10+ million) https://www.uber.com/cities/cairo https://www.uber.com/cities/cairo
Abraln 11y ago
I would imagine that gas stations of the future will have the capability to fuel/charge cars without drivers present via some kind of pre-paid account. After you get home from work, push a button and the car drives itself to the nearest/cheapest station and a pump/cable extends. When full it drives itself back home.
- superuser2 11y ago
  Perhaps, but this does not help one own an electric car in the near term.

Retric 11y ago

This is like high speed internet. If you care about it you can easily find an apartment in any large US city which lets you charge an EV, if you don't ahead of time you can have issues.

superuser2 11y ago
If you're willing to spend an unlimited amount of money, sure. In the Bay Area at anything close to 30% of income? Hell no.
- Swizec 11y ago
  The GP's point is that if you care about charging as your highest of priorities, then you can do it. Personally I think that's a silly priority. You don't need to own a car in the city anyway. Unless maybe if you have very small kids that need special car seats. That makes taxiing/carsharing annoying.
  - superuser2 11y ago
    Well in my case (East Bay) I don't need to drive but I like it, and rideshare/public transit for every little errand is taxing and unnecessarily slow.
    - Swizec 11y ago
      I also like driving. But I've realized that while I like driving a car, I hate everything about owning a car. My opinion might change if I didn't live in SoMa, of course.
- Retric 11y ago
  That depends on income. If you work retail @ 7/11 then EV's are probably a bad idea, but for 150+K tech worker it's really not a problem. Honestly, owning a regular car in NYC is far more of an issue for most people as a single space can run you 500+$ / month. Though, it can be far cheaper if your willing to park in a less convent location. EX: 1,000$/month and people are recommending it. http://www.parkwhiz.com/p/new-york-parking/105-duane-st/#monthly http://www.parkwhiz.com/p/new-york-parking/105-duane-st/#mon...