Photo: Volkswagen
Up until a few years ago, the biggest concern people had with electric cars - and the reason cited by many for not taking the leap - was range anxiety. With chargers popping up all over the place and the maximum range of EVs growing substantially, that hurdle has all but been cleared.
Now, though, there's a new aspect that stands in the way of global electrification: the cost of battery-powered vehicles. And, just like the range before it, it's hard to argue against. You would have to be a die-hard green warrior to buy an electric car if you weren't also filthy rich.
After taking care of the first issue, manufacturers are now trying to address the second as well. Tesla is on course to deliver the $35,000 Model 3 sedan while GM has already put the $37,499 Chevrolet Bolt on the market. While significantly cheaper than other EVs with similar performances, the Bolt is still quite expensive if you consider it is a small-size hatchback.
That means electrics can still be nearly twice as expensive as their internal combustion engined counterparts. The day when these two can reach parity is the day electric transportation can really become mainstream. And, according to a Volkswagen executive, that day will come in 2025, but not entirely due to EVs becoming more accessible.
In an interview for Green Car Congress, Volkswagen Group of America executive vice president Dr. Matthias Erb said that the cost of meeting emissions standards for diesel engines would soon boost their prices to the point where they would meet with battery-powered cars in around eight to nine years.
In other words, Volkswagen isn't expecting EV prices to drop dramatically, but those of diesels to skyrocket (not that they were that cheap to begin with). It looks like the best way to tell the world you're rich and eccentric ten years from now will be to buy a diesel vehicle. Oh, how times change.
After taking care of the first issue, manufacturers are now trying to address the second as well. Tesla is on course to deliver the $35,000 Model 3 sedan while GM has already put the $37,499 Chevrolet Bolt on the market. While significantly cheaper than other EVs with similar performances, the Bolt is still quite expensive if you consider it is a small-size hatchback.
That means electrics can still be nearly twice as expensive as their internal combustion engined counterparts. The day when these two can reach parity is the day electric transportation can really become mainstream. And, according to a Volkswagen executive, that day will come in 2025, but not entirely due to EVs becoming more accessible.
In an interview for Green Car Congress, Volkswagen Group of America executive vice president Dr. Matthias Erb said that the cost of meeting emissions standards for diesel engines would soon boost their prices to the point where they would meet with battery-powered cars in around eight to nine years.
In other words, Volkswagen isn't expecting EV prices to drop dramatically, but those of diesels to skyrocket (not that they were that cheap to begin with). It looks like the best way to tell the world you're rich and eccentric ten years from now will be to buy a diesel vehicle. Oh, how times change.
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