EV Car Recommendation?

[Hellogoodbye]

Hello,

This was initially started in private chat moving it here so others can get advice or help.

I watched the video on EV cars and I know you don’t like subsidies. (

) But I’m planning to get an EV car with subsidies while it’s still available.

We currently have sunpower solar panels and I was just thinking if it’s possible to have solar panels on the car too. Anyways, in the video you said some EVs aren’t designed well.

I was wondering what EVs you would recommend that is well suited with having own power grid in the long term that is in the federal used tax credit list: https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxused.shtml

I was looking at the 2020-2023 Kia Niro for the purchase price. But I don’t really know about the practically of DIY.

Thank you.

Crap! This just came out.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/26/economy/auto-tariffs-announcement/index.htmli

Will:
I would absolutely stick with tesla. Every other plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle I have owned is awful. And older Teslas were awful. New Teslas are good and have best charging around.

Me:
What exactly was awful about them?

Starting what year new teslas are good?

Will:
I would absolutely stick with tesla. Every other plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle I have owned is awful. And older Teslas were awful. New Teslas are good and have best charging around.

Me:
What exactly was awful about them?

Starting what year new teslas are good?

Tesla auto insurance appears to have the highest premiums when also considering costs

Will:
You have to use Tesla insurance

Any Tesla with a heat pump is good

They kept breaking, the old ones, like my 2013 model S

New ones I have have had zero issues. I just put 60,000 mi on my model x

I've had 11 Tesla so far and quite a few other EVS

Me:
What other EVs did you have? To maybe see which one’s wasn’t up to par.

I read the Hyundai IONIQ 5 can be charged on Tesla chargers and their 2025 model is made in the new plant in USA.

 

[aenyc]

 

[fatjay]

Fisker Ocean can be had new for 20k, has 360 mile range, 113kwh battery, and 576hp in a midsize suv configuration.

Kia/hyundai are the gingers of the car world, they have no soul.

 

[Hellogoodbye]

I haven’t really heard of Fiskar. It isn’t on the list.

Fisker Ocean can be had new for 20k, has 360 mile range, 113kwh battery, and 576hp in a midsize suv configuration.

Kia/hyundai are the gingers of the car world, they have no soul.

 

[fatjay]

I haven’t really heard of Fiskar. It isn’t on the list.

I don't trust cnn or the list. But chances are automakers paid to be on that list. Just like motortrend's top SUV's for 2025 had no mention of ford/chevy/gm and were almost exlusively kia/hyundai. Every "news" outlet is not a news outlet anymore, but is steering you in the direction they want you to go, even if it isn't in your best interest. For this reason, you must do your own, thorough research to find out whats best for you.

And fisker's 70k luxury ev suv is now 20k because they poked the bear(tesla) and are now out in bankruptcy. Their massive battery alone is worth 20k. There is some risk but if you have 5 years out of the car that's $4000/yr and that's pretty decent in my book.

 

[Hellogoodbye]

I don't trust cnn or the list. But chances are automakers paid to be on that list. Just like motortrend's top SUV's for 2025 had no mention of ford/chevy/gm and were almost exlusively kia/hyundai. Every "news" outlet is not a news outlet anymore, but is steering you in the direction they want you to go, even if it isn't in your best interest. For this reason, you must do your own, thorough research to find out whats best for you.

And fisker's 70k luxury ev suv is now 20k because they poked the bear(tesla) and are now out in bankruptcy. Their massive battery alone is worth 20k. There is some risk but if you have 5 years out of the car that's $4000/yr and that's pretty decent in my book.

Yea a lot of the news is not independent. But it’s still a source for new information.

5 years isn’t that long and doesn’t seem like a good deal to me. If it needs repairs is it even supported? So if the car breaks down, can sell the battery for the car purchase price? What about insurance premiums?

 

[Hellogoodbye]

I don’t necessarily think it is government’s bribing people. It’s just to get people to adopt the new EV technology to break into it and improve as you go. But who knows a new tech might replace EVs in the future.

Number 1 and 2
EV purchase price is more expensive. So I am considering used EVs because of that depreciation. And hopefully there is a warranty on the battery.

Number 3/4
Slightly higher insurance but less regular maintenance?

Repairs are probably expensive if/when it happens.

Number 5, 6 and 7 I’ve thought about it and am ok with it since have solar at home and now looking if can do solar on the car?

Thanks for the different viewpoints.

 

[Will Prowse]

The newer Teslas with heat pumps are incredibly efficient and using the chargers is seamless. If you do not have native NACS, you need to use the adapter which is slow (depending on manufacturer) or you need to find the stalls that have built in adapter.

I drive my Teslas across multiple states often, so having the chargers and autopilot makes it better than a gas car. I don't take gas cars on road trips anymore. Such a hassle. And I have to drive the thing.

Reliability wise the new teslas are just amazing. All of my friends have them now and we love them. No maintenance. Parts are fast to get unlike before.

If you don't plan to use it outside of your city, you can get pretty much any other EV and it should work just fine. I mean some do have battery problems, but the warranties are amazing. I still wouldn't trust it though. I wanted to buy the Kia but I'm not a big fan after driving.

I had a Porsche taycan and it was in the shop for months. My lightning broke down on third day. Never had those issues with my Teslas

 

[WorldwideDave]

I have been in many of the new electric cars, but have not purchased one yet. When it comes to fit and finish and range, the tesla model Y is the one I like. Don't love the model 3 or X. I wish I had bought an S years ago when they had free charging for life.

When I fly into vegas, my friend in Red Rocks area picks me up at airport and then hands me the key card fob thing for his model 3. I really like so much about the car. I wish it had big dorky buttons for climate control especially the vents. I find the display to be both amazingly awesome and super distracting. I think the one in the S was bigger but not sure.

I used to be into electrification of older cars, and then got into some aftermarket mods for existing hybrids/EVs. The amount of money some people spend upgrading their newer electric cars is mind blowing. Friend road races his tesla 3.

Another friend here in LA has the Taycan. He leased his first one and now has a 2025. I cannot believe how fast those are from dead stop with launch control. It is so stupid fast. Never been in tesla plaid but friend got one of those but moved away.

I checked out the kia and hyundai ones (and fiskars, too) at auto shows. Also drove in the ID.4 or whatever the new VW bus is. Been in the jeeps that are EV as well. I like where the market is heading.

 

[42OhmsPA]

I bought a used Bolt, with the battery warranty replacement done, late last year.
The main intention was commuting, it's became my daily driver. I haven't driven my Silverado in a long time. I can fit a surprising amount of tools in the back of the Bolt...

I'd trust it with 100% confidence for ~200 miles range in the spring, summer, and fall; ~160 miles during winter in the Northeast.


That's a message I sent my Dad and brother earlier this week.

I was set on a Niro due to the heat pump but I got the Bolt for less than half the cost, worst range I saw in single digit temps was ~2.8 mi/kWh; it's closer to 4 normally.

It's not a luxury vehicle or a sports car but it's fun to drive and has been 100% reliable; my biggest complaint is the governor is set way to low.

 

[Hellogoodbye]

Trump Warned U.S. Automakers Not to Raise Prices in Response to Tariffs

MSN

 

[aenyc]

I don’t necessarily think it is government’s bribing people. It’s just to get people to adopt the new EV technology to break into it and improve as you go. But who knows a new tech might replace EVs in the future.

Number 1 and 2
EV purchase price is more expensive. So I am considering used EVs because of that depreciation. And hopefully there is a warranty on the battery.

Number 3/4
Slightly higher insurance but less regular maintenance?

Repairs are probably expensive if/when it happens.

Number 5, 6 and 7 I’ve thought about it and am ok with it since have solar at home and now looking if can do solar on the car?

Thanks for the different viewpoints.

For me personally battery fire and evironmental concerns during manufacturing and at EOL are the reasons not to get an EV with current tech.
I was seriously considering a Tesla Model S for fun, but learning the real truth about EV made me get an ICE sports car.

 

[Hellogoodbye]

Trump says he ‘couldn’t care less’ if auto prices rise because of tariffs

MSN

 

[WorldwideDave]

imagine owning a car company, that makes cars in the us, and having the president both buy one and show his support for the car, for the automaker, and recommend people buy one. I think Musk must be pretty happy with his investment.
Here in LA I used to look around at every stop light to see make/model of cars. For the longest time in the 80s was 2-3 ford taurus at almost every stop sign/light on PCH commuting into work/airport. Then it evolved into Toyota Prius. To the point where I bought one myself, and went from 13 MPG to 38 or so...made me a fan. Fast forward another 10 years, and now, I seldom see a prius, but I see 3-4 tesla. Usually model 3 probably 2:1, but lots of S and Y and X in this town as well. I think people bought hybrids (I did) to use the carpool/go fast lane as a single driver. Then they phased that out, and allowed electric car single drivers. Now I don't know if a single driver can ever use the carpool lanes in LA without a passenger OR without paying for use of that special lane. I seriously think people embraced the tesla (and a few other electrics) in LA just for this purpose - to reduce commute times. For what its worth, now in LA, I see little to no police enforcement like pre-pandemic. People zig zag in and out of it like its a speeding lane. I know I do

 

[aenyc]

Trump says he ‘couldn’t care less’ if auto prices rise because of tariffs

MSN

The real goal is to take away private auto away from you.
Research 15 minute cities

 

[Hellogoodbye]

Looking like going to go with the Volkswagen ID.4

It doesn’t have a heat pump. Thoughts?

 

[k490]

The only thing that held me back from buying a Tesla was they refuse to sell parts to anyone so you can't repair the cars yourself. There is a gray market of parts sellers from salvage yards. I don't mind working on my own vehicles.