As an EV owner, I have a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to people’s opinions on EVs here. Many will approach me to genuinely ask about the car, the range anxiety, recharge, etc because they are curious and thinking on getting one.
Then there’s “the others”. People who for some weird reason hate EVs (especially now that gas is over 2€/lt) will approach me to throw hate on them parroting the usual silly remarks about battery degradation, range, lack of “engine sound”… And it’s funny because I never open up a conversation about my EV, you won’t see me trying to forcefully talk about it… so when I tell them that I don’t care if they like EVs or not, they get even more pissed because they just want to shit on them and hope that I get upset or something? Idk, in Italy there’s this kind of people who need to show others how noisy their car is and how manly they are for driving a car that is noisy.
Now you know how vegetarians and vegans feel. Most don’t bring it up (I only bring it up now in this context), but still get pulled into discussions about it.
I’m usually the one who talks the least on the table when it comes up. I’m really not interested discussing my personal choices. Some people really are though.
I find this fascinating because no one has ever said anything about my car. I was actually worried they would before I got an EV, because of stories like this.
But I’ve had the car for six years now and I have only had pleasant interactions about it.
They are extremely common here though, so that might be partly why.
In fact, once I thought an elderly man was going to ask something snarky. He said “hey, can I ask about your car?” and then he very kindly asked about what the brake calipers were, because he literally had no idea. Then he said “it’s a really pretty car” and then I felt mentally bad for doubting the sweet old guy.
Living in the inland northwest US I’ve never had anyone approach me to talk about EVs one way or another. I’ve been driving a Kia Niro EV for a year now. Not even the few times I’ve been into North Idaho.
I don’t think I’d be bothered too much by some EV hater trying to be an ass either though given I’m not the one eating shit at the gas station. Charging from flat to full would cost me $6.40 at home… where I essentially do all my charging at 10¢ / kWh
In price? To have a car that had a similar amount of equipment than my atto3, the average difference between the atto and the european brands was around 6-8k euros. And that’s just considering the ADAS (like 360° cam, park sensors, autoswitching beams, etc). If I wanted an euro car with all the other “silly” things like the opening roof, the heated wheeldrive and seats, etc, we were going to almost 10k more expensive.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that many people (too many, IMHO) are not only only somewhat aware* of cultural stereotypes but also seem to willingly, if not proudly adopt them as a vital ingredient to their persona. Like some vibe coders/script kiddies copy-pasting themselves an identity from barely-skimmed “data” they got from a friend of a friend who “totally knows what they’re talking about, bro.” 🙄🤷🏼♂️
As an EV owner, I have a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to people’s opinions on EVs here. Many will approach me to genuinely ask about the car, the range anxiety, recharge, etc because they are curious and thinking on getting one.
Then there’s “the others”. People who for some weird reason hate EVs (especially now that gas is over 2€/lt) will approach me to throw hate on them parroting the usual silly remarks about battery degradation, range, lack of “engine sound”… And it’s funny because I never open up a conversation about my EV, you won’t see me trying to forcefully talk about it… so when I tell them that I don’t care if they like EVs or not, they get even more pissed because they just want to shit on them and hope that I get upset or something? Idk, in Italy there’s this kind of people who need to show others how noisy their car is and how manly they are for driving a car that is noisy.
Oh how I wish that was only an Italian thing
Now you know how vegetarians and vegans feel. Most don’t bring it up (I only bring it up now in this context), but still get pulled into discussions about it.
Remember, you don’t need to engage. You get pulled in because you want to be pulled in.
I’m usually the one who talks the least on the table when it comes up. I’m really not interested discussing my personal choices. Some people really are though.
I find this fascinating because no one has ever said anything about my car. I was actually worried they would before I got an EV, because of stories like this.
But I’ve had the car for six years now and I have only had pleasant interactions about it.
They are extremely common here though, so that might be partly why.
In fact, once I thought an elderly man was going to ask something snarky. He said “hey, can I ask about your car?” and then he very kindly asked about what the brake calipers were, because he literally had no idea. Then he said “it’s a really pretty car” and then I felt mentally bad for doubting the sweet old guy.
Living in the inland northwest US I’ve never had anyone approach me to talk about EVs one way or another. I’ve been driving a Kia Niro EV for a year now. Not even the few times I’ve been into North Idaho.
I don’t think I’d be bothered too much by some EV hater trying to be an ass either though given I’m not the one eating shit at the gas station. Charging from flat to full would cost me $6.40 at home… where I essentially do all my charging at 10¢ / kWh
I guess this is a reality similar to that of most vegetarians or vegans…
Was just about to say the same. It’s a great source of unwelcomed conversations alongside queerness and toe shoes.
Oh well toe shoes can go to hell, that makes sense.
Oh no, shoes shaped like feet! Won’t someone think of the children??
Have ya see much difference between Chinese EVs and European ones? I’d like to get me a BYD but it seems very expensive here.
In price? To have a car that had a similar amount of equipment than my atto3, the average difference between the atto and the european brands was around 6-8k euros. And that’s just considering the ADAS (like 360° cam, park sensors, autoswitching beams, etc). If I wanted an euro car with all the other “silly” things like the opening roof, the heated wheeldrive and seats, etc, we were going to almost 10k more expensive.
The U.S. & Canada put a 100% tariff on Chinese EVs. But with the trade war with the USA in full swing hopefully we’ll i state free trade with China.
Canada dropped the tariffs on 50,000 cars. Most of them as Chinese made Teslurs.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that many people (too many, IMHO) are not only only somewhat aware* of cultural stereotypes but also seem to willingly, if not proudly adopt them as a vital ingredient to their persona. Like some vibe coders/script kiddies copy-pasting themselves an identity from barely-skimmed “data” they got from a friend of a friend who “totally knows what they’re talking about, bro.” 🙄🤷🏼♂️
*at least, that’s what they’ll tell you, ofc.
For some people the politics or aesthetics of their choice of car outweighs the economics or convenience.
I am not rich enough to be one of those people.
Ah the South European Uncle™, I know him well