Re:Mercedes Readies First Tesla Rival in $12B Attack
by tomatocracy on Tuesday September 04, 2018 @06:12PM
(#17913296)
Yes. There's a reasonably significant cost in stregthening the electricity transmission/distribution networks in particular if EVs ever move beyond the niche. Noone's yet had the argument about who should pay for that to my knowledge and it's quite a political question with no easy answer which will please everyone ("subsidies paid for by poorer people" i.e. non-EV owners and low-mileage EV owners vs "tax the more environmentally-friendly options").
Generation capacity is another issue - less cost than location and if there should be more incentives. Although if we suddenly need to build lots more generation capacity in short order it will put pressure on supply chains and have a cost impact as well which will feed through.
Re:Mercedes Readies First Tesla Rival in $12B Attack
by chrisco255 on Tuesday September 04, 2018 @05:26PM
(#17912953)
I agree, but I do think there's going to be some losers in this disruption to the auto industry. It's doubtful that all the existing players survive.
Need charging stations built, parking lots ripped up and wires ran, local grids probably need upgrades, not to mention all the kinks to still work out that make owning a corolla/camry type vehicle far cheaper for 90% of people. EV is great for people who can afford to experiment and have a spare car, but people on a budget who need something that works, which is the majority, can't go for that yet.