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Rivian CEO issues strong statement about people who purchase gas-powered cars: ‘Sort of like building a horse barn in 1910’ (www.yahoo.com)
submitted 3 years ago by [M, B] to c/technology@lemmy.world
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Rivian CEO issues strong statement about people who purchase gas-powered cars: ‘Sort of like building a horse barn in 1910’::"I don't think I would have believed it."

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[–] 29 points 3 years ago (4 children)

Yeah, so, how much is one of those Rivian trucks, exactly?

$73,000?

Yeah, fuck off. That's more than the median annual gross income for American workers. It's all good and well to tout a slightly more sustainable form of transportation--still not nearly as sustainable as busses or trains!--but when you're pricing it well outside what most people can rationally afford, you're not helping the situation.

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  • [–] 8 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Average transaction price for a new vehicle in the U.S. is already at $48k. Plenty of electric models are below the average price by now.

    The fact is, if you're considering buying a new car, you're already on the richer side. So this message is mainly aimed at those richer Americans considering a $73,000 F-150, that they might want to consider a $73,000 Rivian instead.

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  • [–] 4 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    All these products have to come to market in order for prices to eventually come down. People need to see that they have viable options to gasoline cars.

    In Norway, more than 80 percent of new cars sold are electric. There are many other options that don't cost $73,000. Rivian is just one option.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago

    IIRC, Norway also offered substantial tax incentives to people that bought electric cars. IIRC, the fed. gov't did the same in the US, and car companies responded by raising prices by the amount of the incentive.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Ah, because the only EVs in the market are Rivian ones.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    That's true but you have to consider how much of the car market is made up of used cars. When I was last shopping for cars (4 years ago) there were hardly any EVs in my budget and the ones that were, were 10 year old Priuses. Most people frankly don't have the income to buy anything more than a gas car. (Market for EVs may have changed since my experience). The way I see it is the CEO is making a good point while also shitting on poor people.

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  • [–] 5 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    The first response from Google shows me several late model used Nissan Leafs for around $15k. Those didn’t have much range but plenty for most people’s day to day

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  • [+] 2 points 3 years ago* (2 children)
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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago* (1 child)

    I believe that from his comment ("what are you going to do with that in 10 years"), he was implying buying new cars. I see nothing odd in buying used ICE cars, but I wouldn't dish out for a new one at this point.

    Now if you buy a used car for 10k now, you'll probably have a harder time getting value out of it in 10 years vs. EV.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago

    Not only the cost, but there's also the issue of infrastructure. I as well as many others in my city don't have a garage and park either on the street or on a parking pad in the alley. I wouldn't imagine a power cord running to a vehicle lasting very long because of the scrap prices of copper. We've got a long ways to go.

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