There are some on this list who are holding back from purchasing a
production EV due to the perception that the offerings are too
"closed source" for their sensibilities. Whether it be remote shut
down, forced updates, feature takebacks, or just plain data tracking (spying).
Some years back, while my conversion EV was sitting with a deceased
L/A battery pack, the local Ford stealership had an EV Focus on the
lot. They had had it around for some time without a buyer, and it was
deeply discounted. Maybe it was time to ditch the old EV and embrace the new.
I went by the lot on a Sunday to check the car, knowing that I
wouldn't be assaulted by a sales associate before I could take a
critical walk around the car.
I decided that I didn't really like the looks of the car, it was kind
of swooshy, with a non-declaratory, somewhat feminine design. It was
also a four-door, which I detest.
What finally killed it in my mind was that if it needed more than the
windshield washer fluid checked or brake pads replaced, the
stealership would be helpless and it would probably be trucked to
Portland (3 hours away) for service. I compared this mentally with my
conversion EV, in which I know every system and sub system and how to
repair it on the side of the road with a paper clip and a bent
screwdriver. I decided that the purchase price of this car, applied
to repairing my existing EV, would net me a car I could be proud of,
repair myself, and which would completely fill my needs.
As it turns out, I ended up spending about a tenth of that amount to
purchase another EV'er's unsuccessful conversion vehicle, which I
parted out to transform my own car. It doesn't have turbo motorized
toilet paper dispensers or the in-dash espresso maker, but I can live
without that stuff. Cup holders would be nice, though.
Will Right-to-Repair make matters better? It seems it could. My
interest would be in small consumer products that are field
serviceable, things like cabinets/enclosures with removable fasteners
instead of glued/sonic welded shut, access to specialty repair
components at a reasonable cost, and service manuals/schematic
diagrams so that defects can be located and repaired.
Will we see Chilton and Clymer repair manuals for Bolts, or Tesla
Repair for Dummies any time soon? Doubtful. I have an 80-year-old
Ford tractor that still runs and works hard. I could build a second
one entirely from after-market parts if I wanted, and still come in
with more change in my pocket than buying a new JD...
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