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Comment by grg0 | Hacker News Reader

That is the real question to me. Surely ramping production of gas cars at the expense of a slower adoption of EV technology is a step backwards in the global market? Regardless of what you think of the EV regulations, isn't the underlying problem that local car manufacturers are simply not competitive?

EU car manufacturers have the same conundrum too as far as I know.

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Yeah, honestly I don’t know how to look at these news other than admission to defeat compared to Chinese EVs that I keep seeing in every country that doesn’t have domestic car industry or huge tariffs against them.

> other than admission to defeat compared to Chinese EVs

Or, to put it in another way; better and cheaper options for consumers.

> in every country that doesn’t have domestic car industry or huge tariffs against them.

Not every country needs a local car industry. Having a small number of efficient manufacturing countries means that everyone (both the consumers and the manufacturing countries) are better off.

As a non-American, there is nothing special or magical about the US economy besides its size. American cars are generally sub-standard and are increasingly unpopular in my country as they are either too large/loud or saddled with US politics.

I agree with you completely. But reality is, when you have large X industry, there will be pressure to protect it at all costs — politically and economically speaking. How will that protectionism work, and whether consumers will be fed up with it to the point to throw the industry under the bus? That’s a different question.

Some of it is about maximizing their balance sheet.

The factories that existing ICE engines are made in, both their build and every retooling has a cost; being able to maximize the saleable product from that cost is in the best interests of the balance sheet.

This is a challenge for both the US as well as Japan which is why you see each doing different weird things to try and kick the can down the road or ignore it. But that's a deeper part of the rabbit hole.

Do US-market Ford/Chevy/Ram/Jeeps do significant numbers internationally as-is?

Canada, would be my guess. They also do significant numbers in central and south america - but that is 12+ year old used cars. Still important because used car values drive upgrades all down the line, but not much a concern otherwise.

Lots of people don’t want EVs

That's not the point and it's also irrelevant. People don't buy a car because they have a love of gas or electricity; they buy what works and is affordable. Chinese EVs are getting more range, have more software and safety features and are becoming cheaper and cheaper to buy. They are competition even to gas cars now. What form of energy the engine consumes is irrelevant here.

It’s relevant if the drivetrain is part of your identity. People like the vroom vroom. I drive an EV but I’m not about to ban others from driving what they want.

It doesn't have to be part of your identity.

Maybe you live in an apartment where you can't charge overnight. Or don't have many options for fast charging. Or you drive enough that the range is an issue and you don't want to plan around that or have to own a second car for long trips.

There are many places and use cases where EVs work great. And there are many where they do not.

Edit: and I'll add, that the fraction of EV owners for whom the car is part of their identity likely much larger than for ICE vehicle owners, though the relative sizes of each pool probably affects this. EVs are still in the early adopter phase in many/most areas.

Those are good, actual points against EVs.

I should have added hybrids in my original comment.

They are also sold below cost for a reason. lol

I just bought a new car.

Really wanted an EV, especially a newer depreciated Tesla, but I just can’t get past the idea of what the car will be in 12 or 15 years. My prior car was a 2005 CRV.

Ended up going with a Corolla hybrid. Gets over 50 mpg and travels a lot under electric power. I think chances are pretty good it’ll still be viable transportation after a decade.

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