[lucaspm98]

The average electric car transaction was $63k in January, compared to $26k for a compact car and $34k for a crossover.

Americans already tend to buy way too much car, financing them over 60 or even 72 months, and that was happening before the incredible price increases over the past 2 years. Only the (increasingly small) upper middle class and above can responsibly afford an electric car.

Even expecting the general public to be forced to switch to hybrids and more fuel efficient gas cars is unrealistic in the short to mid term as the supply simply isn't there. Letting gas prices be higher than they used to be to incentivize electric car adoption could be a logical step, but likely in 3-10 years when prices are comparable to existing technology.

Source: https://mediaroom.kbb.com/2022-02-09-New-Vehicle-Prices-Retr...

[ethagknight]

If I’m following correctly, I think what’s missing from your comment is that a Kia Rio is $17k brand new and includes carplay, gets 36 mpg combined, 10yr 100k mile warranty, and doesn’t bother with complicated/expensive hybrid or battery.

To your point, people just don’t want that car because… cars play into one’s identity and style (at least marketing tells us it does). But that shouldn’t drive our geopolitical oil and gas strategy. Neither should the fundamental expectation that USA should be guaranteed the ability to drive 100 miles on $10 worth of gas in the average vehicle sold.