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Comment by unreal6 | Hacker News Reader

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EVs are heavier than equivalent-sized ICE vehicles, but they do enjoy regenerative braking. The answer is to make smaller-sized cars but the auto industry has been pushing the farmer cosplay for decades because the profit margins are a lot higher on a $75k truck or SUV than $30k sedan.

It's a tough area, honestly, and will be until public charging is better. You need a bigger battery to get the range that people need (want?) to be able to reach the next charging station. Realistically, though, most people don't really venture far from home but they don't like the idea that they can't venture far from home without finding a place to charge.

EV charging availability has drastically improved over the last few years, so maybe there is hope for smaller EVs.

Chevy Suburban: ~ 5,700–6,100lbs

Model 3: ~ 3,860–3,900+ lbs

Suburban is about 1.5–1.6× heavier than a Tesla Model 3.

The Chevy Suburban has been one of the largest vehicles on the market since 1934. [1]

If you wanted an EV to match the Suburban it would probably be that Cadillac Escalade IQ in terms of size, comfort, and towing capacity -- that's got a curb weight of 9,100 pounds which is 1.5x heavier than the Suburban.

I'd think the BMW 3 Series has a similar vibe to the Model 3 and that has a base curb weight of 3536 which is about 10% less than the Model 3.

[1] it's the oldest nameplate that's been made continuously

A a bus is over 40,000lbs. More than 10x heavier than a Tesla Model 3.

"A Tesla Model 3 has a greater curb weight than a Chevy Suburban" -- what? Source?

Suburban - 6,051 lbs Model 3 - 3,891 lbs

https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/suburban/2025/features-spe... https://www.edmunds.com/tesla/model-3/2025/features-specs/

Tires yes, brakes no. Friction brakes are barely used on EVs outside of specific scenarios. Mine will engage in three situations:

    1. The brake pedal is pressed hard
    2. The battery is 100% charged and the energy from braking can not be used
    3. I am backing up

For #3, the only reason why the brakes are used when backing up is to ensure that they are used even the tiniest amount and to clear any rust from the rotors.

Tire wear - yet, but in theory they should emit less brake dust thanks to regenerative breaking.

> A Tesla Model 3 has a greater curb weight than a Chevy Suburban

Google AI tells me that Tesla model 3 (heaviest modification - AWD) is 1851 kg and Chevy Suburban 4WD is 2640 kg. Is it wrong?

Tire wear is probably a thing - although I suspect the per-wheel control allows them to better respond to slips and sudden acceleration. I've noticed test driving a Tesla that it accelerates rapidly much more smoothly with no tire slippage than a combustion car.

Brake wear is likely nulled out by regenerative braking. And you're probably not driving highway speeds through Manhattan, either.

This is wrong. Exact weights vary with trim levels, but Model are around 4000 lbs. and Suburbans are around 6000 lbs.

Tire, yes. But not brakes. With an EV most of the kinetic energy is converted back to electricity thanks to regenerative braking instead of being turned into heat through friction.

Overall the EV emit fewer airborne particles even without counting the exhaust.

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