I got tired of waiting for EVs to become affordable and got an e-bike instead. I still drive at times when the bike doesn’t cut it for various reasons. And now my car is getting super old and in need of replacement, but I’m not sure what to do?
EVs sound ideal, but the usual logic that the higher upfront cost will come back to you in fuel savings feels less compelling in my situation. Otoh another gas guzzler? One thing I can say is I don’t see myself ever buying new again. It’s just not worth it for how little I drive. I guess I’ll leave EV/hybrid/conventional debate up to what’s available on the used market.
Would you consider something like the Bestune Pony to be affordable? It retails for the equivalent of 8000 euros after 15% VAT. I am seeing it moreal and more and I live in a place where petrol is 0.50 euro a liter.
Well my wife is certainly fawning over it when I showed her photos!
So unfortunately in North America, there is a 100% tariff on Chinese EVs which, oddly enough, predates Trump. In Canada specifically, they are easing this somewhat so that 49,000 will be allowed in every year before the tariff kicks in. (That number apparently reflects EV sales before the tariff was implemented.)
But yes, I would definitely consider something like that if I could actually find one here.
If you barely use your car, you might not even need it anymore. Perhaps a taxi/rental/car pooling might meet the few times you still take it out of the garage? Specially when you put the numbers down and see how expensive it is to maintain a car
You have a point. My brother gets by fine now without owning his own wheels. And my grownup kids don’t even have drivers licences.
I guess where my situation differs is that they live in big cities compared to me with all sorts of options for getting around. Also, I’m a part-time musician with a lot of gear I have to transport to gigs, particularly if I’m running sound.
I got tired of waiting for EVs to become affordable and got an e-bike instead. I still drive at times when the bike doesn’t cut it for various reasons. And now my car is getting super old and in need of replacement, but I’m not sure what to do?
EVs sound ideal, but the usual logic that the higher upfront cost will come back to you in fuel savings feels less compelling in my situation. Otoh another gas guzzler? One thing I can say is I don’t see myself ever buying new again. It’s just not worth it for how little I drive. I guess I’ll leave EV/hybrid/conventional debate up to what’s available on the used market.
Would you consider something like the Bestune Pony to be affordable? It retails for the equivalent of 8000 euros after 15% VAT. I am seeing it moreal and more and I live in a place where petrol is 0.50 euro a liter.
I wish we had those here in the US!
Well my wife is certainly fawning over it when I showed her photos!
So unfortunately in North America, there is a 100% tariff on Chinese EVs which, oddly enough, predates Trump. In Canada specifically, they are easing this somewhat so that 49,000 will be allowed in every year before the tariff kicks in. (That number apparently reflects EV sales before the tariff was implemented.)
But yes, I would definitely consider something like that if I could actually find one here.
If you barely use your car, you might not even need it anymore. Perhaps a taxi/rental/car pooling might meet the few times you still take it out of the garage? Specially when you put the numbers down and see how expensive it is to maintain a car
You have a point. My brother gets by fine now without owning his own wheels. And my grownup kids don’t even have drivers licences.
I guess where my situation differs is that they live in big cities compared to me with all sorts of options for getting around. Also, I’m a part-time musician with a lot of gear I have to transport to gigs, particularly if I’m running sound.