Why Luckbox Readers Hate Electric Vehicles

We asked Luckbox readers about electric vehicles. Here is a compilation of responses from the skeptics.

The newly released Spring 2024 Luckbox is all about cars and trends shaping the auto industry. As part of our research, we asked readers their opinions about car-related issues. In a question about EVs we asked respondents to Give us their thoughts about electric vehicles, and Luckbox Nation didn't hold back.

The following is compilation of reasons Luckbox readers gave for not buying an EV—at least not any time soon. We summarize responses from EV advocates in another post available here.

"Fever dreams," range anxiety and other concerns

A contingent of readers strongly believe electric vehicles aren't ready for widespread use. Others cited range anxiety—the fear of getting stranded with a dead battery far from a charging station—and other technology, infrastructure or environmental concerns.

• "EVs are still a technology fever dream that aren't ready, except for the fairly large group of early adopters. The mainstream community is still waiting to see the infrastructure built out and battery/weight issues resolved. And I thought that EVs were supposed to be cheaper to repair but surprise, they are now more expensive."

• "No plan to buy an EV ever. I take long driving trips and don't want to have my driving distance limited and have to wait for a charge even if charging stations were available on the route of my journey."

• "Need to be sure that battery powered EVs are really the answer. They may not produce emissions, but they require tons of mined minerals that create other environmental problems."

• "California can't provide enough electricity to homes and businesses without rolling brownouts and blackouts let alone adding EVs. The range per 'fill up' is horrible. The time to 'refill' is unacceptable. Cold weather is an issue for the batteries. The vehicles weigh significantly more and damage the road more. If the car is in an accident and there is the slightest damage to the battery it cannot be fixed, and the car is totaled. ... The cost of mining the materials is exorbitant."

• "These issues prevent me from considering an EV: "battery fires, cost of insurance, cost of repairs and slow charge times. I would prefer an EV over ice if those issues were resolved. Range is not an issue nor is ice emissions."

• "Battery technology is still in its infancy. Only lithium batteries are taken for recycling, but only stored because it's still not economical to recycle cells. Waste recyclers do not accept other batteries, such as alkaline, which are thrown in the trash."

Don't shove it down my throat!

Several readers made it clear why they would never buy an EV for reasons rooted as much in principle as technology. Some readers resent the extent to which government mandates are behind the vehicle electrification push. And they worry about the geopolitical and environmental consequences of making the switch to electric vehicles.

Comments along those lines included:

• "There is no way I would own an EV. I hate it when things are pushed down people's throats by the Government. And this whole EV thing is driven by China. We don't have infrastructure to support this movement to begin with. And it's not helping the environment in any way.
  ... Government hoax. Terrible idea."

• "I never will buy an EV. They are not cost-effective. The taxpayer should not have to fund the rebates. Let the open market determine whether they make it. Calculate the land needed for charging stations, it would be enormous. Their use of rare earth elements is a disaster."

• "I will never buy an EV unless it's shoved down my throat—meaning no other vehicle type is available and I still need one to get around. ... I don't like the fact that we depend on the CCP to make the batteries. If climate change were a real thing, then maybe my attitude would be different but it's not."

• "Right now most electricity is generated by fossil fuels. I hope solar conversion becomes more efficient. Battery technology also must improve. My guess is that those necessary improvements are 15 to 20 years away."

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James Melton is managing editor of Luckbox magazine. @JDMeltonWriter

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