4 ms·

Insurance, registration, property taxes (in some areas). Not sure if that annual costs includes parking and other things that cost, but aren’t obvious for many

Insurance, registration, property taxes (in some areas). Not sure if that annual costs includes parking and other things that cost, but aren’t obvious for many people (many of us park for “free”, but we’ve paid for those space through higher rents, mortgages, etc). For the rest of the money, the average new car costs around $50k today. And the average ownership length is about 8 years. Average loan length is approaching 6 years. So, $8333/year to service principal, plus interest, etc. Then only 2-3 years of only fuel/maintenance before starting over again. Plus the majority of depreciation is during those fist few years. On a $50k car, that’s probably $20k of lost value, if not more. Yes, not everybody buys new cars. But, lots of people do, and they spend an ungodly amount of money on them.

jeffbee 4y ago
It's hilarious to me that anyone would overlook 25 years of registration fees, considering that Californians literally overthrew their government because of registration fees. Maybe in their jurisdiction it's not that costly.
- hathawsh 4y ago
  Registration for my 1999 car was only $70 per year and there were no property taxes. Insurance was a more significant cost and harder to estimate, but still not major. Regardless, I agree that these expenses add up fast. If I replaced my regular commutes with a $3000 e-bike that lasts 2 years, and I spent $2k per year on Ubers and rentals for various things that require a vehicle, I would come out ahead.
  - cycomanic 4y ago
    Why would your ebike only last 2 years? I would say even if someone doesn't take care at all for their bike it should last 4 years minimum (and much longer on average).
    - maxerickson 4y ago
      The idea is to ridiculously overestimate the e-bike cost. If you do that and still come out ahead, there's a good case for it.
    - dghlsakjg 4y ago
      Right? My $2k e-bike has lasted far longer than that with a $5 bottle of oil and a few $20 inner-tubes. I spend more for 1 tank of gas than I have on that e-bike for maintenance in 4 years.
- alistairSH 4y ago
  Here in NoVA, it’s not reg fees, but property taxes. Ends up somewhere around $3000/year for our two car household.

jeffbee 4y ago

It's hilarious to me that anyone would overlook 25 years of registration fees, considering that Californians literally overthrew their government because of registration fees. Maybe in their jurisdiction it's not that costly.

hathawsh 4y ago
Registration for my 1999 car was only $70 per year and there were no property taxes. Insurance was a more significant cost and harder to estimate, but still not major. Regardless, I agree that these expenses add up fast. If I replaced my regular commutes with a $3000 e-bike that lasts 2 years, and I spent $2k per year on Ubers and rentals for various things that require a vehicle, I would come out ahead.
- cycomanic 4y ago
  Why would your ebike only last 2 years? I would say even if someone doesn't take care at all for their bike it should last 4 years minimum (and much longer on average).
  - maxerickson 4y ago
    The idea is to ridiculously overestimate the e-bike cost. If you do that and still come out ahead, there's a good case for it.
  - dghlsakjg 4y ago
    Right? My $2k e-bike has lasted far longer than that with a $5 bottle of oil and a few $20 inner-tubes. I spend more for 1 tank of gas than I have on that e-bike for maintenance in 4 years.
alistairSH 4y ago
Here in NoVA, it’s not reg fees, but property taxes. Ends up somewhere around $3000/year for our two car household.