https://www.wired.com/story/china-conquers-mexican-automotive-market-and-the-us-is-worried/

deng-salute

State department hand wringing that China is going to use the US trade agreements as they were designed is chefs-kiss

I fully expect them to redo these with "except china" clauses.

  • btfod [he/him, comrade/them]
    ·
    14 days ago

    Real talk, I'm strongly considering buying a used EV on the cheap. Trying to suss out which platforms are the likeliest to have a longer lifespan. I think circa 2019 Bolts are in my sweet spot of affordability and best chance of holding up longer term. I'd love to find one with 20-40k miles on it.

    • Assian_Candor [comrade/them]
      hexagon
      ·
      14 days ago

      The problem with buying a non Tesla EV is that the charging infrastructure is nonexistent. Like you might have one station on a 300 mile stretch and find that it's out of service when you get there

      If you're only doing local driving it's a nice little car.

      • btfod [he/him, comrade/them]
        ·
        14 days ago

        Agreed ... and the problem with buying a Tesla is I want me, my family, and the people around us on the road to stay alive. But in our case local driving is good enough for us.

        • PauliExcluded [she/her]
          ·
          14 days ago

          I have a relative that owns a Tesla Model 3 because there is no other charging infrastructure in his part of the country and he bought before everyone knew Elon was a right wing asshole. He let me drive it a couple times. If you don’t use the self driving, a Tesla drives like any other EV. Though, I wouldn’t get in any Tesla if the driver intended to use the self driving.

          • btfod [he/him, comrade/them]
            ·
            13 days ago

            Yes... also would be nervous of some OTA update bricking the door latches or some stupid shit like that.

    • Chronicon [they/them]
      ·
      14 days ago

      I've driven a lot of Bolts (but not owned one, I don't got that kind of money and detest modern vehicles with their snitching electronics), they feel a lot more solidly put together than the nissan leaf, for whatever that's worth. I don't have any special insight on the longevity, but short of a major electrical component failing prematurely, or another battery recall type issue with individual cells, the longevity will mostly be down to how it's been driven and charged.

      • Assian_Candor [comrade/them]
        hexagon
        ·
        14 days ago

        My 2013 volt is an absolute tank. I had to replace a cell at 100k miles. I bought it at 60k and besides that have only had to change the oil and put new tires on it. The GM electric drive train seems really well designed, unless ofc it was enshittified.

        • Chronicon [they/them]
          ·
          14 days ago

          the volt and the bolt are pretty different ofc but yeah. GM is seemingly fully capable of making a decent electric drivetrain, and besides the battery cell recalls and general software bullshit I haven't heard anything bad about the Bolt yet

      • btfod [he/him, comrade/them]
        ·
        14 days ago

        Hear ya about modern vehicles. Waiting for the day they require an account to turn the radio on. Thanks for the word.

    • graymess [none/use name]
      ·
      14 days ago

      I bought a used 2017 Nissan Leaf in 2019 because it had one of the best battery warranties on the market. Good thing, because I had to use that warranty this year when the capacity dropped a bunch and they upgraded me to a 40 KWh kit.

      • btfod [he/him, comrade/them]
        ·
        14 days ago

        nice luck roll, glad it turned out well for you. how many miles do you average per charge on that new pack?

        • graymess [none/use name]
          ·
          14 days ago

          After a few longer trips, getting a consistent 120 miles at highway speed before it's close to dead. No idea how many at street level speeds, but more than plenty.