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I think there's a common misconception in your argument. Even without a full distribution network it might be a viable solution. Most of us use our cars for our

I think there's a common misconception in your argument. Even without a full distribution network it might be a viable solution. Most of us use our cars for our daily commute, grocery shopping and other things within a fairly small radius. The few times we would need to drive the SF->LA distance you can easily take a rental. The mistake is to assume that we would use "alternative fuel" vehicles the same way we would our petrol cars.

greglindahl 6y ago
I don't think there's an assumption there. The alternative fuel cars that sell well are the long-range ones. Sure, people mostly drive them locally, but it appears to be the case that there's comfort in knowing that they can also go long distance.
- rootusrootus 6y ago
  I think 300 miles is a realistic minimum for viable EVs. At least in America. Because honestly, almost nobody gets anywhere near that except when they're trying to win Internet points. A 300 mile Tesla Model 3, depending on trim, is more realistically a 150-200 mile car, and some days won't even make it that far. Source: I own a Tesla Model 3 Performance. For efficiency, the worst of them. Love the car, but saying it has 300 miles of range feels pretty dishonest.
entee 6y ago
I don’t see how that’s a mistake at all from a customer perspective. You’re asking a consumer to buy something very expensive that in the past could do a whole bunch of things like go long distances, but now does less of those things. In exchange you provide them with more fuel efficiency? Maybe a good feeling about being environmentally sound? That’s not a good trade off in most customer’s minds. Your response seems to be, “then rent for those occasions.” But that means the customer has to change their mindset, break long established habits. That’s a big ask. If you’re Tesla you build a car that is better in every way than an old car EXCEPT mildly less convenient on range. Clearly that has legs, but lots of Tesla owners have a house/garage, and lots have another car, it’s not viable for a lot of people. Hopefully alternative vehicles will improve to the point where there are no compromises, but until then I think it’s a fools errand to argue customers should just change how they think. They won’t unless forced to by outside pressures such as regulation or a massive change to the pricing structure of owning a regular car.

greglindahl 6y ago

I don't think there's an assumption there. The alternative fuel cars that sell well are the long-range ones. Sure, people mostly drive them locally, but it appears to be the case that there's comfort in knowing that they can also go long distance.

rootusrootus 6y ago
I think 300 miles is a realistic minimum for viable EVs. At least in America. Because honestly, almost nobody gets anywhere near that except when they're trying to win Internet points. A 300 mile Tesla Model 3, depending on trim, is more realistically a 150-200 mile car, and some days won't even make it that far. Source: I own a Tesla Model 3 Performance. For efficiency, the worst of them. Love the car, but saying it has 300 miles of range feels pretty dishonest.

entee 6y ago

I don’t see how that’s a mistake at all from a customer perspective. You’re asking a consumer to buy something very expensive that in the past could do a whole bunch of things like go long distances, but now does less of those things. In exchange you provide them with more fuel efficiency? Maybe a good feeling about being environmentally sound? That’s not a good trade off in most customer’s minds. Your response seems to be, “then rent for those occasions.” But that means the customer has to change their mindset, break long established habits. That’s a big ask. If you’re Tesla you build a car that is better in every way than an old car EXCEPT mildly less convenient on range. Clearly that has legs, but lots of Tesla owners have a house/garage, and lots have another car, it’s not viable for a lot of people. Hopefully alternative vehicles will improve to the point where there are no compromises, but until then I think it’s a fools errand to argue customers should just change how they think. They won’t unless forced to by outside pressures such as regulation or a massive change to the pricing structure of owning a regular car.