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All that tells me is that Paul Graham doesn't understand what Nokia's problems were, or else he doesn't understand the market for electric cars. If Nokia's exe
by stonogo 10y ago
All that tells me is that Paul Graham doesn't understand what Nokia's problems were, or else he doesn't understand the market for electric cars.
If Nokia's executives skipped dog-and-pony shows in order to focus on making coherent decisions, they would still be a major player in the handset market.
In addition, as you move, demographically, farther afield from tech millionaires, interest in electric cars drops precipitously. People are interested in a car that meets their needs; if that car is electric, they'll buy it. If it isn't, they won't. It really is that simple.
- weinzierl 10y ago> People are interested in a car that meets their needs; if that car is electric, they'll buy it. If it isn't, they won't. It really is that simple. Electric cars are subsidized in many countries [1]. This makes sense because it is in the general public's interest to keep pollution out of cities and densely populated areas. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_incentives_for_plug-in_electric_vehicles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_incentives_for_plug...
- achamayou 10y agoBut the subsidies are already being reduced, and are likely to disappear completely as soon as EVs become reasonably widespread. What's more likely to have an impact is the move by cities like Paris and London towards banning vehicles with high emissions from the city center altogether.
- ArkyBeagle 10y agoBut this whole market motion is completely dependent on natural gas use to power the electric grid. Perhaps home-unit solar will rise in affordability to meet it but I won't place any bets that way.
- ArkyBeagle 10y agoFacts are stubborn things. With the administrative "hit" on coal, gas looks to be the choice to make up the gap ( in the US) : https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=427&t=3 https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=427&t=3
- achamayou 10y agoThe buy/replace cycle for phones is also significantly shorter than it is for cars. A quick internet search suggests the average US buyer keeps their phone between 2 and 3 years, whereas they keep their car for 11+ years.
- 3pt14159 10y agoThe public doesn't know anything. iPhone hit the market and I saw the public debate whether or not it was going to do well without a keyboard. Mention voice commands to them and they'd just give you this dumb look. Just as it was then, so is it now. These people don't get it. But they'll get on board because: 1. EV are cheaper per km in fuel. 2. EV are cheapre per km in maintenance. 3. EV are faster. 4. EV are safer. 5. EV are better for the environment. There are only three things that EV are not: 1. Better range. 2. Fast refueling, but this matters less with better range. 3. Cheaper sticker price. But when two of those three things move over to the other list, it's game over. 100% of people will buy / rent EV. They'll tax roads with cellphone tracking or built right into the car.
- Beltiras 10y agoI think it wouldn't even take one. The majority of car use is within the range of the mid-range EVs (150-250 km). Charging can mostly take place at night and some localities even have cheaper utility bills for night-time use. EVs already make economic sense because of 1. and 2.
- oblio 10y agoQuick question: I live in a city with a density of >1000 people / km2. Where will I charge my car?
- Retric 10y agoAdding basic overnight car chargers is about as complex as installing lighting. Fast charging is much more complex and costly, but a 1 to 2cent / kWh fee can pay for that infrastructure fairly quickly and it still ends up much cheaper than gas.
- sangnoir 10y ago> Adding basic overnight car chargers is about as complex as installing lighting. Adding the chargers where?