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The iPod is decidedly and dramatically simpler than an automobile in every way. The hardest part of the iPod was a commodity part the purchased (e.g. HDD). Wh

The iPod is decidedly and dramatically simpler than an automobile in every way. The hardest part of the iPod was a commodity part the purchased (e.g. HDD). What Apple did correctly was determine that the market would pay a lot more for an MP3 player if it was all around better than the competition. Then they kept up momentum by iterating and improving their design before the competition had a chance to respond. In the audio player market, MP3 Players had significant advantages over CDs and other mediums that drove rapid adoption and since Apple was best in class they quickly developed a monopoly. The Car market is very different, EVs do not have significant advantages over ICE and there is not rapid adoption so it's hard for a monopoly to develop. EVs currently have range-over-time limitations compared to ICE as well as much lower margins with much higher costs. Those limitations are being addressed but until they are, there's only so much makers can do to tempt buyers.

novaRom 8y ago
>> EVs do not have significant advantages over ICE Disagree. Advantage 1: EV can be charged virtually everywhere with access to electricity (like parking lots), no gas stations, no gas transportation necessary. Advantage 2: low maintenance costs. Electrically powered engines are simpler with fewer mechanical elements Advantage 3: EVs are very quiet, so lower noise pollution Some disadvantages are short driving range and long recharge time.
- roland35 8y ago
  A few of those advantages are limited somewhat: 1) Electricity access is plentiful but you need high power if you want to charge in a reasonable timeframe 2) There are fewer moving parts but there is one part that degrades every time you use it, the battery That said I really want to get a cheap used EV as my next car!
- navigatesol 8y ago
  >no gas stations, no gas transportation necessary. In many parts of the world, being able to transport fuel to where it's needed is a huge advantage. We are a long way from a global electricity infrastructure.
  - jhayward 8y ago
    > In many parts of the world, being able to transport fuel to where it's needed is a huge advantage Just offhand, what % of the new car market would you say those areas represent in the current model year? In 10 years?
    - cptskippy 8y ago
      It's probably a greater % than those who buy an EV expecting to be able to charge it in a parking lot. His scenario is highly unusual but it highlights a weakness of EVs. There are numerous scenarios where an ICE can bring extra fuel with it or for multiple vehicles. While his scenario might me a boundary condition, the comment he was responding to listed a similarly unlikely scenario outside of dense Urban environments. The reality is we should be heavily promoting/supporting or even requiring EVs where they make sense like dense Urban areas with access to charging and suburban commuters. At the same time we should also recognize that there are many scenarios today where EVs don't make sense and ensure we don't penalize people who need to remain ICE bound. Eventually the EV tech will supplant most or all use cases.
solarkraft 8y ago
> EVs do not have significant advantages over ICE and there is not rapid adoption Lots of people would disagree, including myself.
- cptskippy 8y ago
  The adoption is accelerating but it's still only a very small percentage of the total market. And while they do have many advantages, they also have many disadvantages; namely range, rate of refuel, and cost. Even though EVs can meet the needs of the majority of the population, the perception is that they can't and they're inferior. Tesla has done wonders to counter that perception but they're pidgeon holed as being too expensive. I say this as the owner of both a Leaf and a Model 3.

novaRom 8y ago

>> EVs do not have significant advantages over ICE Disagree. Advantage 1: EV can be charged virtually everywhere with access to electricity (like parking lots), no gas stations, no gas transportation necessary. Advantage 2: low maintenance costs. Electrically powered engines are simpler with fewer mechanical elements Advantage 3: EVs are very quiet, so lower noise pollution Some disadvantages are short driving range and long recharge time.

roland35 8y ago
A few of those advantages are limited somewhat: 1) Electricity access is plentiful but you need high power if you want to charge in a reasonable timeframe 2) There are fewer moving parts but there is one part that degrades every time you use it, the battery That said I really want to get a cheap used EV as my next car!
navigatesol 8y ago
>no gas stations, no gas transportation necessary. In many parts of the world, being able to transport fuel to where it's needed is a huge advantage. We are a long way from a global electricity infrastructure.
- jhayward 8y ago
  > In many parts of the world, being able to transport fuel to where it's needed is a huge advantage Just offhand, what % of the new car market would you say those areas represent in the current model year? In 10 years?
  - cptskippy 8y ago
    It's probably a greater % than those who buy an EV expecting to be able to charge it in a parking lot. His scenario is highly unusual but it highlights a weakness of EVs. There are numerous scenarios where an ICE can bring extra fuel with it or for multiple vehicles. While his scenario might me a boundary condition, the comment he was responding to listed a similarly unlikely scenario outside of dense Urban environments. The reality is we should be heavily promoting/supporting or even requiring EVs where they make sense like dense Urban areas with access to charging and suburban commuters. At the same time we should also recognize that there are many scenarios today where EVs don't make sense and ensure we don't penalize people who need to remain ICE bound. Eventually the EV tech will supplant most or all use cases.

solarkraft 8y ago

> EVs do not have significant advantages over ICE and there is not rapid adoption Lots of people would disagree, including myself.

cptskippy 8y ago
The adoption is accelerating but it's still only a very small percentage of the total market. And while they do have many advantages, they also have many disadvantages; namely range, rate of refuel, and cost. Even though EVs can meet the needs of the majority of the population, the perception is that they can't and they're inferior. Tesla has done wonders to counter that perception but they're pidgeon holed as being too expensive. I say this as the owner of both a Leaf and a Model 3.