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A comment on US transportation bill would add a $130 annual fee for EV drivers. Parent comment

Re:US transportation bill would add a $130 annual fee for EV... by watersb on Tuesday May 19, 2026 @07:59PM (#48201299)
My EV eats tires at a high rate that's not consistent with other cars in its size class.

It also weighs only 2650 pounds, nearly half that of many other passenger vehicles on the road today.

But my car is weird, not at all common in the United States, and no longer manufactured.

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Re:US transportation bill would add a $130 annual fee for EV... by DANmode on Wednesday May 20, 2026 @08:55AM (#48206908)
Weird indeed! Smart EQ Fortwo?

If yes, RWD vs AWD is your answer, combined with wider rear tires.

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Re:US transportation bill would add a $130 annual fee for EV... by watersb on Wednesday May 20, 2026 @09:18PM (#48216590)
BMW i3 (2014-2021 version)

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Wagon-wheel tires, 155mm wide.

My 2020 one includes the scooter motor generator, a petrol "range extender", and weighs a bit more, slightly less than 3,000 pounds.

Skinny tires and I can go a mix of highway and city driving and get 5.1 miles per kWh.

But the tires are expensive and don't last.

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Re:US transportation bill would add a $130 annual fee for EV... by DANmode on Wednesday May 20, 2026 @10:05PM (#48216940)
Dude, that’s an even cooler Chevy Volt!

I could understand shying away from admitting you drive a Smart car - this is just neat.

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Re:US transportation bill would add a $130 annual fee for EV... by watersb on Thursday May 21, 2026 @07:13PM (#48229937)
Both the Chevy Volt (as in Volta, not Bolt as in... bolt) and the BMW i3 with the Range Extender are "series" hybrids: the petrol engine has no mechanical connection to the wheels. It only charges the battery.

In the past six months, we've seen official recognition of this setup as a distinct form of car, "eREV".

Some recent models from China mean that in some markets, you can buy a new series hybrid.

But I'm a series hybrid hipster.

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