(...)
I also find the prices still okay, although somewhat high. But still cheaper than comparable fuel. You’re just back on the road quickly. At home, I charge almost for free, but it takes longer.
So, with the usual electric car speed of 120 km/h on the highway, I drive my Seat Leon ST 150HP diesel at 5l/100km, or less.
5l of diesel currently costs just under 9 EUR.
What would a comparable electric car consume at 120 km/h on the highway? 20 kWh/100km? That costs 10 EUR at a DC fast charger (50 cents/kWh).
Sure, diesel costs more in maintenance because of taxes, servicing, etc. But for that, an electric car is more expensive and you take on the risk of the battery.
As I said, I once looked at the “maintenance instructions” that VW gives for the ID.4 so that you “use the battery correctly.” That’s all pretty vaguely phrased — if the manufacturer wants, they can always find a reason to eventually reject the 8-year warranty.
And it gets especially funny when you buy a used electric car. If you don’t have access to the long-term memory, you have no idea how the previous owner treated the battery... maybe it was used as storage and was fully discharged 3 times a day?
As a company car or new lease where I don’t have to worry about anything, okay. But a 5-year-old used one? I’m not so sure...