I canāt get over the extreme cost of EVās. I know Iām old and still think there should be $20,000 F150 XL pickup trucks available. 6 cyl, base models. But good god, when we are looking at mortgage payments and homeowners insurance for a less capable vehicle, something is very wrong. Sorry but leather seating does not make up for the 60% premium. Its indefensible
It's the vehicles being built. I get there are fuel economy restraints that make crossovers easier, but that's not a concern with EVs, yet we're still focused on crossovers. Heavier vehicles that require more battery to get acceptable range. Costs go up. Leather as you mention or even the fancy vinyl leather substitutes used these days are put in to help make it feel more premium to help the perception of value for money. We're over $40k, so now people are going to really demand tech. We jam all of that in too. Price is raised yet again to absorb that.
Perfect example is the the F150 as you mention. I'd have to look, but I think an XL work truck is nearly $40k these days, then if that goes EV there's an even bigger battery. The standard range is only 230 miles, so I wouldn't be in without the $10k Extended range battery. I'd still want a fairly basic truck with at least CarPlay, but it would still be hauling the family around. Personally I'd select the XLT at this point. It's not a luxury vehicle, but it's comfortable for everyone and has the basic modern amenities. All of this comes to an eye watering $75k before the discounts that are prevalent. I can have this exact truck for $56k today. I already had the deal worked out, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on a vehicle.
A base Model 3 can still be had under $40k new and that's not particularly cheap. Many will think it's too small a car and I understand that. It might be the minimum my family can do to be comfortable on a longer trip with all 4 of us in the car. The GTI works in a pinch as long as we don't have a lot of bags, but it's a little bit smaller for interior space.
At this point batteries are heavy, expensive, and take up space. Modern vehicles are already expensive so this makes it worse. The Model 3 at least is under 4k lbs. Almost no other EV is though, aside from the Bolt and the city car type EVs that don't have the range o the Bolt and Model 3. I think that's the only reason why a Model 3 can be had under $40k. For example the above F150 extended range has a battery capacity of twice of the Model 3, yet weighs around 7k lbs so its rated range is only 50 miles more. The focus seems to be on range and utility right now so size and battery capacity just keep going up to get there. I haven't seen a quoted number yet, but I don't see any way the new Silverado EV isn't over 8,000 lbs and makes it a very expensive vehicle.
It's why I sit on the sidelines for now. I don't think my next vehicle is in production yet. I'm not sure what that is, but I'm sure I'll know it when I see it. It's likely an EV, but I'm not strictly only considering EVs.
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