Both prices include a complimentary three-year subscription to a variety of in-car features, including the company’s Level 2+ driver assist and an AI-powered personal assistant. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Just what we need. Another 100k EV. Why can no US automaker make a small EV hatchback or sedan with good enough range for 20-30k? I sure wish I had the freedom to buy a BYD Dolphin or Seagull.
The battery pack is basically the expensive part. For a US car maker a 20k econobox EV doesn’t make sense. The margins are just too small because the battery eats most of the cost. BYD can sell these small cars because they get the batteries for much cheaper since they produce their own batteries from scratch and the Chinese government subsidizes their battery industry.
This is effectively a startup, as Sony doesn’t yet have any of the infrastructure needed to manufacture these. Tesla started out with $100k+ cars as well.
As for legacy automakers? Well they don’t make cheap anything anymore. Just giant trucks and SUVs.
You can buy a Nissan Leaf for <$30k but I would not recommend it at all until they add some sort of active cooling to their batteries. They’re an absolute joke without it. But it is a valid demonstration that it is possible.
That’s very true. The recalls for the Leaf and Volt also concern me. They do not seem safe or reliable. I totally get that China isn’t the standard-bearer for quality, but they definitely have more experience making EVs. I feel like anywhere around $30k is steep for the Volt and (considering your insight on battery cooling) way too much for the Leaf.
Just what we need. Another 100k EV. Why can no US automaker make a small EV hatchback or sedan with good enough range for 20-30k? I sure wish I had the freedom to buy a BYD Dolphin or Seagull.
The battery pack is basically the expensive part. For a US car maker a 20k econobox EV doesn’t make sense. The margins are just too small because the battery eats most of the cost. BYD can sell these small cars because they get the batteries for much cheaper since they produce their own batteries from scratch and the Chinese government subsidizes their battery industry.
This is effectively a startup, as Sony doesn’t yet have any of the infrastructure needed to manufacture these. Tesla started out with $100k+ cars as well.
As for legacy automakers? Well they don’t make cheap anything anymore. Just giant trucks and SUVs.
You can buy a Nissan Leaf for <$30k but I would not recommend it at all until they add some sort of active cooling to their batteries. They’re an absolute joke without it. But it is a valid demonstration that it is possible.
That’s very true. The recalls for the Leaf and Volt also concern me. They do not seem safe or reliable. I totally get that China isn’t the standard-bearer for quality, but they definitely have more experience making EVs. I feel like anywhere around $30k is steep for the Volt and (considering your insight on battery cooling) way too much for the Leaf.
The Leaf is so close to being reasonable its just needs to be $10k less
The Bolt is returning later this year and is rumored to be sub 30k.
That’s fantastic to hear. I hope they got the battery issues fixed and they last 150k+ miles.