Would You Buy a Bare Bones EV?

The Satellite
21

The same reason people buy bare bones ICE cars like the best selling Corolla and Civic. That’s what they can afford.

22

Bare bones would be something like Slate, if it does come to market.

Why not more people buying EVs ?
I think the home charging thing is the big benefit. As we’ve discussed plenty times before, apt/condo dwellers are still at a disadvantage; but that is changing too.
Takes time.

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23

Corolla and Civics aren’t bare bones unless you’re referring to the base models

But I don’t think that “Bare Bones” EV’s in the context of that article refers to an EV equivalent of a base mode sedan

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24

And those bare bones EVs won’t really be bare bones either. Again here you go getting hyper focused on semantics.

25

Well, with my super long drive from Katy to Brenham and back everyday, an EV is NOT practical for me at this time.

26

What features would I give up on a bare bones EV?
Entertainment/Radio
Speakers
I like the Slate idea…which is the way cars used to be sold. Slate is bringing back that concept. The Ford T was popular for that exact same idea. Basic, sturdy and affordable. Let me ask you the following:
Does a car need the amount of sensors that it has?
Does a car need the amount of electronics that it has?
Now let met change my question to an EV:
Should EV’s be able to be serviced by your common auto garage?
The way EV’s and modern cars are being build you have to go to your car’s manufacturers dealership to get it fixed. We mentioned it before in another thread.
Do we really own our vehicles?

27

Even bare bones cars must have, as federally mandated, a lot of safety features, airbags, back up cameras, tire pressure monitor, ABS, ESP. And Even the most basic ICE cars have a/c and radios. So I don’t know what else one needs.

28

When I think of bare bones EV, I think of the Slate truck.

What makes the Slate Truck cost competitive compared to ICE Cars (even base model ICE Cars) is that the Slate truck lacks features such as

  • Info system
  • Radio
  • no speakers
  • Automatic windows (Slates have crank windows)

These are just a FEW basic luxuries that would turn off average people just for a bare bones EV. Unless you’re driving an EV to combat climate change, it’s going to be hard to convince people to buy a bare bones EV.

For me personally, I would happily buy a bare bones Slate, but it wouldn’t be my primary car. I also would be buying it to combat climate change, and not because I care so much about EV’s efficiency which still rely on fossil fuel-based road/transportation infrastructure which keeps the entire global transportation system in general, affordable

29

Those things are optional. So you can get them if you want. JUST LIKE COROLLAS AND CIVICS!

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30

I’m merely responding to the OP’s question

But the point is that if the only way EVs can remain cost competitive to even basic models of working class vehicles is by selling bare bones vehicles, is not going to help EVs in the long run

It would be much wiser to increase subsidies for EVs far more than a mere $7,500, but the free market + wealthy elites do not want this

and the more conservative thinkers don’t see climate change as a real threat, so they don’t see the point in subsidizing EV’s in general

31

How is that different from ICE cars? Mitsubishi sells a cheap $18k car, so what? You making fun of those buyers too?

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32

In what sense am I making fun of anyone when I said that I would buy a Slate myself?

A bare bones ICE car is going to be cheaper than a bare bones EV.

Base model civics or Corolla’s are not bare bones

33

You’re making it seem like the target demographic for Civics or Corollas are all lookin for bare bones cars when the reality is most people want some luxury features in their cars

That’s why civics and corolas exists, and you don’t see nothing but Benz and Audis on the road

34

Nothing beats a stick shift/manual transmission.

35

My next car will be an EV and I’ll be able to drive 700 miles with only taking a 15-20 minute break.

(Sometime in the 2030’s)

36

Or 40s or 50s

37

I’d give up a car dealer. Dealerships need to go. I should be able to buy direct from the manufacturer if I want.

I’ve used a broker for my last few purchases and it’s made it worlds better than sitting through all that “let me go talk to my sales manager” BS

P.S. this may only be a Texas thing…

38

It will be available this decade. It will be more affordable in the 30’s.

39

Available next decade, affordable next decade or the decade after depending on who the administration is.

The problem with EV affordability in the US is scale and culture.

  • Working Class: (Toyota/Honda/Ford/GM) - ICE equivalent EVs (not Hybrids) are unaffordable
  • The Luxury Chasers: (Audi/Benz/BMW) - There is no EV equivalent in this price range other than Tesla, and Audi/Benz/BMW can’t scale an EV that targets the same demographic due to costs
  • Pickups (men): Cultural issue. Electric vehicles still appear to be non-masculine
40

The bolt returns next year and seems to hit all your bare bones cheap
requirements?

The Chevrolet Bolt is returning for the 2026 model year (referred to as the 2027 model by some sources) with a new design that incorporates a more crossover-like, SUV-inspired look and an updated front fascia. Key features will include a longer driving range (over 300 miles), the availability of Super Cruise, a new Android-based infotainment system, and a NACS/Tesla charging port. Production is expected to begin in late 2025, with sales starting in early to mid-2026 at a price point expected to be under $30,000, thanks to the use of cheaper lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) batteries.