Who can afford a new truck anymore?

[sldva00]

I agree "full" electric cars are not ready for prime time. However, electric motors can produce tremendous pull power and blazing speed and acceleration. Their day is coming. If you doubt the power of electric, just take a look at a modern locomotive.

Yeah, I was really amazed how quickly our 2014 Camry Hybrid accelerates when you need it to. We got it just for the fuel mileage. The best I've gotten is 42 mpg, but averages around 38 mpg.

It has become our commuter vehicle for work. My wife and I work opposite weeks (7 on 7 off) at same hospital. My 98 truck (18 mpg) now gets driven maybe once a month. Drive a 2012 Pilot (19 mpg) when whole family needs to go somewhere. All vehicles were bought new at time.

My wife wants me to buy a new truck, but I don't want to spend the money on a truck that will get driven once a month. I keep my truck running fine, looks like junk, but runs fine. Cosmetically, I've never taken care of my truck. It sits out in the sun and only gets washed when it rains. I'd be throwing money away if I bought a new one now with my habits.

 

[ultrarunner]

My brother's vehicles are all paid for... they have a small ranch... don't own a truck.

It's my sister-in-law is wanting him to buy a truck... almost insisting and when they look... it's always the 50k+ she likes.

They do have a SUV with a Hitch and several trailers including dump and stock trailers...

Trailers tags in California are $18 for 5 years.

He just can't see taking on the added expense.

They also own a Kubota TLB and Deere Dozer.

 

[Gary Fowler]

My Mother still drives and she's 84.

My neighbor just turned 85. Still drives very well, works his shop (he makes wool dusters for home and commercial use), does his own maintenance with help from his wife who is also 85. To look at them you wouldn't think them over 60. A lot has to do with how one ages as to whether on not they should be driving. One would have to age rapidly to need to stop driving at 73 assuming that person was ever a good driver. I see lots of 18 to 50 year olds that cant drive worth a crap but continue to get a license every year. Too bad they don't require some retesting of driving skills periodically before we get gray or bald.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Gov't would provide tax incentives for companies offering options to buyers that are desirable to some end, such as clean air, and less dependency upon fossil fuels. Its the MFR who decides what vehicle offerings make sense under those conditions.

And just where do you think the government would make up that tax deficit? Any money given to any program comes directly out of a taxpayers pocket.
Personally I don't see the benefit of an electric car that uses energy from a coal burning power plant or other fossil fuels to produce it. While they tout it as non polluting, it actually is more so than a regular car since in addition to the power plant pollution, you have to dispose of those batteries in a few years not to mention the pollution from manufacturing all those batteries.

I think it is a wash in electric vs fossil fuel vehicles when you toss all the "actual " pollution factors in. Unless it runs on sunlight, it pollutes with use and even with solar cell cars, there is the manufacturing pollution that has to be considered so no cars are pollution free.

 

[buickanddeere]

And just where do you think the government would make up that tax deficit? Any money given to any program comes directly out of a taxpayers pocket.
Personally I don't see the benefit of an electric car that uses energy from a coal burning power plant or other fossil fuels to produce it. While they tout it as non polluting, it actually is more so than a regular car since in addition to the power plant pollution, you have to dispose of those batteries in a few years not to mention the pollution from manufacturing all those batteries.

I think it is a wash in electric vs fossil fuel vehicles when you toss all the "actual " pollution factors in. Unless it runs on sunlight, it pollutes with use and even with solar cell cars, there is the manufacturing pollution that has to be considered so no cars are pollution free.

Subsidizing green vehicles with $7500-$8500 of tax payer's dollars buys a lot of votes from the general public .

 

[buickanddeere]

And just where do you think the government would make up that tax deficit? Any money given to any program comes directly out of a taxpayers pocket.
Personally I don't see the benefit of an electric car that uses energy from a coal burning power plant or other fossil fuels to produce it. While they tout it as non polluting, it actually is more so than a regular car since in addition to the power plant pollution, you have to dispose of those batteries in a few years not to mention the pollution from manufacturing all those batteries.

I think it is a wash in electric vs fossil fuel vehicles when you toss all the "actual " pollution factors in. Unless it runs on sunlight, it pollutes with use and even with solar cell cars, there is the manufacturing pollution that has to be considered so no cars are pollution free.

Subsidizing green vehicles with $7500-$8500 of tax payer's dollars buys a lot of votes from the general public .

 

[Sodo]

And just where do you think the government would make up that tax deficit? Any money given to any program comes directly out of a taxpayers pocket.
Personally I don't see the benefit of an electric car that uses energy from a coal burning power plant or other fossil fuels to produce it. While they tout it as non polluting, it actually is more so than a regular car since in addition to the power plant pollution, you have to dispose of those batteries in a few years not to mention the pollution from manufacturing all those batteries.

I think it is a wash in electric vs fossil fuel vehicles when you toss all the "actual " pollution factors in. Unless it runs on sunlight, it pollutes with use and even with solar cell cars, there is the manufacturing pollution that has to be considered so no cars are pollution free.

Taxes being reduced in one place are not required to be replenished by other taxes - that is a problem within itself.

Pollution of everyone's air and water is a form of "payment" by the citizens and well within Gov'ts charter to do this. How well Gov't can balance political and industrial influence is always a question and requires constant citizen oversight. Especially when industrial lobbying is OK by the citizens.

An electric car that refuels with grid sunlight during the daytime is ideal. There will be cheaper power during the day and more expensive power at night. Electric car chargers will evolve to include clocks thus charge sensibly with regards to changing rates.

The "pollution" of used batteries is a pertinent issue. Do you think Gov't should intervene and enforce that electric car batteries are recycleable? Maybe offer tax breaks for recyclable batteries? Thus making recyclable batteries and their industry "viable"? Or should Gov't stay out of this and let industry decide for us?

Anyway this Off-Topic jaunt came about when some fella mentioned if there were an electric pickup offerred it would work for his usage. On that subject I think everyone knows it would have to be a Hybrid, otherwise all you could haul is batteries.

 

[buickanddeere]

Taxes being reduced in one place are not required to be replenished by other taxes - that is a problem within itself.

Pollution of everyone's air and water is a form of "payment" by the citizens and well within Gov'ts charter to do this. How well Gov't can balance political and industrial influence is always a question and requires constant citizen oversight. Especially when industrial lobbying is OK by the citizens.

An electric car that refuels with grid sunlight during the daytime is ideal. There will be cheaper power during the day and more expensive power at night. Electric car chargers will evolve to include clocks thus charge sensibly with regards to changing rates.

The "pollution" of used batteries is a pertinent issue. Do you think Gov't should intervene and enforce that electric car batteries are recycleable? Maybe offer tax breaks for recyclable batteries? Thus making recyclable batteries and their industry "viable"? Or should Gov't stay out of this and let industry decide for us?

Anyway this Off-Topic jaunt came about when some fella mentioned if there were an electric pickup offerred it would work for his usage. On that subject I think everyone knows it would have to be a Hybrid, otherwise all you could haul is batteries.

Cheaper power by day ???. Have a look. Sygration Homepage

 

[buickanddeere]

Taxes being reduced in one place are not required to be replenished by other taxes - that is a problem within itself.

Pollution of everyone's air and water is a form of "payment" by the citizens and well within Gov'ts charter to do this. How well Gov't can balance political and industrial influence is always a question and requires constant citizen oversight. Especially when industrial lobbying is OK by the citizens.

An electric car that refuels with grid sunlight during the daytime is ideal. There will be cheaper power during the day and more expensive power at night. Electric car chargers will evolve to include clocks thus charge sensibly with regards to changing rates.

The "pollution" of used batteries is a pertinent issue. Do you think Gov't should intervene and enforce that electric car batteries are recycleable? Maybe offer tax breaks for recyclable batteries? Thus making recyclable batteries and their industry "viable"? Or should Gov't stay out of this and let industry decide for us?

Anyway this Off-Topic jaunt came about when some fella mentioned if there were an electric pickup offerred it would work for his usage. On that subject I think everyone knows it would have to be a Hybrid, otherwise all you could haul is batteries.

Cheaper power by day ???. Have a look. Sygration Homepage

 

[kenmac]

Exactly--I did nothing and stayed the course, what real choice was there anyway? I made a killing in the upturn.

I ,like you, and moss, stayed the course.... It was tough,but stocks were at bargain prices... Like going to the store where everything is 1/2 (or more) off