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"The federal EV tax credit of $7,500 gets the price down to less than $30,000" [1] "the estimated average transaction price (ATP) for light vehicles in the Uni

"The federal EV tax credit of $7,500 gets the price down to less than $30,000" [1] "the estimated average transaction price (ATP) for light vehicles in the United States was $33,666 in March 2016." [2] A car that costs less than the median purchase price for new vehicles in the US seems pretty close to "for the masses" to me. It's at least in the running for more than half of all new car buyers in terms of price (not in size or amenities, obviously). [1]: Parent article [2]: http://mediaroom.kbb.com/new-car-transaction-prices-up-2-percent-march-2016 http://mediaroom.kbb.com/new-car-transaction-prices-up-2-per...

honkhonkpants 10y ago
You jumped from mean to median. The /median/ new car price in this country is about $22k.
- vinay427 10y ago
  I stand corrected, I misread the article I was quoting. Apologies for the error.
jseliger 10y ago
A car that costs less than the median purchase price for new vehicles in the US seems pretty close to "for the masses" to me. It's at least in the running for more than half of all new car buyers in terms of price (not in size or amenities, obviously). TCO for electrics is also likely to be lower: http://seekingalpha.com/article/543861-report-shows-lower-total-cost-of-ownership-for-electric-vehicles http://seekingalpha.com/article/543861-report-shows-lower-to... and their total lifespan is likely to be higher, even taking into account a battery swap after 10 - 20 years.
TheCoelacanth 10y ago
The average price takes into account all sizes of cars. It is not an average sized car; it's towards the small end which makes prices lower. It's very close to the size of a Kia Soul which goes for $16k and smaller than a Chevy Trax which goes for $21k.
35bge57dtjku 10y ago
I'd be more inclined to agree with you if everyone always bought new cars.
- vinay427 10y ago
  By that measure, almost all cars aren't for the masses because they don't compete with used car prices.

honkhonkpants 10y ago

You jumped from mean to median. The /median/ new car price in this country is about $22k.

vinay427 10y ago
I stand corrected, I misread the article I was quoting. Apologies for the error.

jseliger 10y ago

A car that costs less than the median purchase price for new vehicles in the US seems pretty close to "for the masses" to me. It's at least in the running for more than half of all new car buyers in terms of price (not in size or amenities, obviously). TCO for electrics is also likely to be lower: http://seekingalpha.com/article/543861-report-shows-lower-total-cost-of-ownership-for-electric-vehicles http://seekingalpha.com/article/543861-report-shows-lower-to... and their total lifespan is likely to be higher, even taking into account a battery swap after 10 - 20 years.

TheCoelacanth 10y ago

The average price takes into account all sizes of cars. It is not an average sized car; it's towards the small end which makes prices lower. It's very close to the size of a Kia Soul which goes for $16k and smaller than a Chevy Trax which goes for $21k.

35bge57dtjku 10y ago

I'd be more inclined to agree with you if everyone always bought new cars.

vinay427 10y ago
By that measure, almost all cars aren't for the masses because they don't compete with used car prices.