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[–] 35 points 2 days ago (34 children)

What are you expecting to break down? A modern internal combustion engine plus continuously variable transmission is one the world's most complex pieces of engineering in common use today.

An electric drive system is trivial in comparison.

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  • [–] 20 points 2 days ago* (3 children)

    This is the truth. 4 years with a Chevy Bolt EUV and so far I have only replaced the tires and windshield wiper fluid. As someone who worked on several ICE cars for 2 decades, it's kind of a dream to have so few things that can go wrong. The number of moving parts in a EV is a couple magnitudes less than an ICE car.

    People don't account for the time I am not spending at gas stations sniffing fumes every week or getting oil changes. The handfull of times I don't charge at home are a fraction of time spent dealing with ICE routine maintenance.

    The only thing I am slightly worried about is that my car has 3 coolant loops, which is one of my least favorite repairs.

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  • [–] 8 points 2 days ago (8 children)

    I'd be worried about some of the electronics, modern cars, electric or not, tend to be overcomplicated with tablets and server connections and what have you. I might also worry about getting into an accident.

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  • [–] 13 points 1 day ago (6 children)

    Hate to tell you this, but cars have been like this for about 15 years now.

    Been a long time since ol Joe at the gas station could fill the tank and tune your carburetor with a screwdriver.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 day ago (5 children)

    Yes but other cars can be repaired at any mechanic rather than just at a dealer, which is the issue we were talking about above.

    I am well aware of the computerization of cars, how carburetors have not been a thing for more like 30 years, and how generally electric vehicles are better than combustion ones but both are worse than public transit.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 day ago

    I have a seven year old Volvo.

    It cannot be repaired at a mechanic beyond simple mechanical things. Everything else has to pass through a Volvo dealer because they locked down their software (Vida) and regular mechanics COULD buy it, but it would cost them several thousand dollars a year for the subscription. Unless they are going to specialize, it's not worth it. I cannot drop my car off at joe's garage.

    There's no real difference between ICE and electrics in that regard. You can still do basic repairs to an electric like brakes, tires, suspension, etc.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 day ago (3 children)

    My fears are software/firmware issues or battery pack failure. It’s an impossible problem for the common man to solve and you are beholden to the manufacturer. And at what cost? Minor accident? Manufacturer declares it unfixable and deactivates it. Doesn’t even matter if you repair it. Boo!

    I really want one, but I can still repair my current car myself if needed.

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  • [–] 0 points 1 day ago (1 child)

    No, you cannot roadside repair a car with a broken timing chain or clogged catalytic converter, or broken transmission.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

    What the hell does that have to do with anything? It is trivial to tow a standard car to my home and effect those repairs almost immediately. Just order the parts.

    What about the EV? None of the above can easily be done.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 day ago

    You would think that, but Hyundai EVs are popping ICCU fuses and Tesla motors all leak coolant from the seals. There is a Tesla that went 3 million kms. Only needed 4 battery swaps, but it needed 14 motors. Coolant leaks will be problem at higher mileage.

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  • [+] -24 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (19 children)

    Yet EVs are much less reliable than many ICE vehicles. The control module is one of the weak points. When it fails the car is down until it's replaced.

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  • [–] 13 points 1 day ago (14 children)

    No

    Huge Study Shows EVs More Reliable Than ICE Cars With One Surprising Common Issue

    EVs averaged 4.2 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles, while similarly aged combustion models more than doubled that rate

    https://www.carscoops.com/2025/04/new-study-shows-evs-are-more-reliable-than-ice-cars/

    Sorry for lazy copy/paste. 1st search result in 'reliability EV ice'

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  • [+] -9 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (6 children)

    Case in point: https://www.reddit.com/r/electricvehicles/comments/1lfssfn/hyundais_iccu_problem_heres_what_we_know/

    The GM's EV reliability is terrible. BMW, Lexus and Tesla are much better, but not looking for a luxury vehicle or a Tesla.

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  • [–] 6 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

    'Not looking for this or that' means cherry picking... So I guess you are right in your own little world

    Also kudos for posting anecdotal evidence like it would mean something. You are really cheering up my day :)

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  • [–] 0 points 1 day ago (3 children)

    Get a BYD

    But, I'm assuming you are a Yank, given your attitude, so you can't get them

    But you don't want an EV anyway

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  • [+] -19 points 1 day ago (6 children)

    I figure I'd upset some EV fanboys with a dose of reality, but holy shit, you're REALLY upset. Take your meds already.

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  • [–] 11 points 1 day ago* (2 children)

    posts a lie

    gets downvoted

    shocked pikachu

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  • [–] 2 points 1 day ago (1 child)

    As opposed to your ECU?

    You're just making shit up

    Particularly when there's less vibration, heat etc. to fuck with electronics

    You're pushing an agenda here

    Why?

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  • [–] -1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

    Right. My "agenda" is simple. I would prefer an EV, but when in the middle of bumfuck Nevada with no cell service when it's 110F out, I don't want a car that can only be fixed at a dealer and that may require a 3 week wait for parts.

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