[skrbjc]

This just seems like a way for someone to say they passed some bill that "helps" climate change, when in reality no-one will actually use it because EV conversions are exceptionally rare and generally high priced.

No-one is doing a bottom of the barrel EV conversion on a run down 2008 toyota corolla. I just don't see who this is targeted towards in any practical sense.

[mkoubaa]

It's targeted towards ideologues who want to see something done. Not all legislation is meant to be actionable unfortunately

[eptcyka]

There are cheaper mid-range cars that can be totaled by expensive engine maintenance, in such cases it might make more sense to convert them to EVs instead of swapping an engine or rebuilding one.

A 2008 Toyota Corolla will still be running in 2030, so it isn't really the prime target for a conversion. A 2014 Audi A4 would be.

[mulmen]

> No-one is doing a bottom of the barrel EV conversion on a run down 2008 toyota corolla.

Right, but California wants them to, so they are offering a subsidy.

The EV market is still growing and we will have to re-invent a lot of the well-established secondary ICE markets. These markets include engine rebuild, transmission rebuild, and component rebuild (starters, batteries, alternators, water pumps, etc.)

California is subsidizing the creation of secondary markets for reusing EV battery packs while also potentially increasing demand and service life for used cars. A savvy EV converter might target cars with particularly weak or undesirable powertrains for conversion. 2008 Toyota Corollas are already in high demand, but what about a mid-2000s GM crossover SUV?

[dahfizz]

> no-one will actually use it because EV conversions are exceptionally rare and generally high priced.

Damn, if only there was a way for the government to make conversions less expensive and provide an incentive to grow that industry...

[skrbjc]

By offering a meaningless subsidy that doesn't change anyone's calculus on whether this is worthwhile?

[Fatnino]

California has had a cash for clunkers type of program off and on for many years. Basically, if you had a car n years old that was still passing smogchecks (ie, still on the road) then the state would offer to buy it off you for $2000 and then crush it. This had the unintended side effect of making it harder for teens to buy their first cars.

Anyway, California already has a pattern of behavior to spend 2 grand to take a polluter off the road. This bill seems to be in the same vein but instead of the car getting crushed, it stays on the road as an EV.

[afry1]

I wouldn't be so sure! There are companies which are developing ICE->EV conversion kits which put the price point in a pretty reasonable place.

This company has it down to 5000 Euros: https://youtu.be/98mlJ1N50DU

That 5000 figure is after EU subsidies, so who knows how such a system would shake out with CA subsidies, but even still: it's possible.

[aqme28]

I wouldn't be so sure. That's exactly the kind of project my dad loves to do to his old cars. $2k isn't going to break even, but it's a nice little marginal incentive.