[csunbird]

I really want my next car to be an EV, but I am finding incredibly difficult to justify spending 35k on a car that has ~480 km range (effectively 400km as charging to 100% takes way too long).

I do understand the arguments about 90% of the driving is done within 200kms, but the obly reason for me to own a car is the long distance trips. Most of the Europeans are in the similar situation.

[lm28469]

> but the obly reason for me to own a car is the long distance trips. Most of the Europeans are in the similar situation.

Unless you drive very often you can rent something like a brand new VW Polo for 30 euros a day (40 with extra insurance), realistically in Europe you should have about 5 weeks of vacation per year so you'd have a car for your long distance need for <1500 euros per year, no maintenance, no long term parking issues, &c.

[39896880]

I’m an EV fanboy and I find this argument very unconvincing. I don’t want to learn the workings of a new car when I’m on vacation. I don’t want to add two trips to the rental place. I want to go on vacation!

[yunohn]

But is that sentiment worth paying 35k upfront and all the other ongoing assle/fees associated with owning a car in the EU, vs the 1.5k for a vacation rental for you?

[Panzer04]

If your sole reason for a car is long distance, and there's no scope for convenient half-hour or so supercharging, I think you're better off with gas.

[timbit42]

Better off with gas/electric HEV or PHEV.

[t0mas88]

Same for me, daily driving is to and from the office, which is 35km each way. And activities for the kids, often that's 15-20km. I don't need a 400km range EV with all the weight and cost, I can do this with a 75km hybrid so I can make it to the office and back.

The other part of my driving is holidays and long distance family visits, a 400km range EV does not cover that. Especially things like going skiing where the charging infrastructure isn't very good and you end up in traffic jams waiting to charge.

[ryzvonusef]

How about a PHEV? EV for the daily, ICE for the monthly trips.

[csunbird]

These are what I have my eyes on - a small battery to do 10-20km trips within the day (and easier parking as there are designated charging points for charging EVs in my city). Any personal recommendations for a a crossover type car?

[adamkl]

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is very good (and is available without a wait). It differs from some of the other PHEVs in that it is really an EV (with 2 electric motors) and uses the gas engine primarily as a generator. This means it drives like an EV (no transmission, no power bands, just smooth acceleration at all times). A downside is that when running on gas, it's not as efficient because of the losses of going from mechanical energy to electrical energy back to mechanical, but I regularly get 70-80km on a charge, so the engine only kicks in on long weekend trips.

[ryzvonusef]

Apologies, none I could personally recommend, but I've heard very good things about the Toyota's PHEV offerings.

Problem is, they are so good that they have a massive dealer markup on them, even if available. Iirc, americans have great difficulty getting a RAV4 PHEV in any state.

[dzhiurgis]

Charging stations: exist.