Americans don’t want electric vehicles. Here’s how the U.S. is trying to push you to plug in.
Automakers want to get rid of AM radio
When I was growing up, my dad worked for United Airlines, and I traveled a lot. I would always sneak a portable AM radio in my backpack, and as the plane crisscrossed the country, I would tune into various stations along the way. Never would I have imagined what that little hobby would become for me.
While FM radio listening is huge, AM radio is still massively important. When hurricanes knock FM stations off the air, AM stations are often more resilient.
AM radio is so crucial that FEMA is installing emergency studios, transmitters and generators at 77 mostly AM radio stations nationwide to maintain communications in the event of the worst (with special thanks to all ham radio operators!).
The car companies making decisions
You need to know several automakers told a Senate committee they’ll nix (or have already nixed) AM radios in all their vehicles. This includes BMW, Mazda, Polestar, Rivian, Tesla, Volkswagen, Volvo, Porsche and Mercedes.
Ford has since reversed its decision (at least temporarily) after considerable negative feedback. Ford says no one listens to AM radio anymore. Huh?
Know the numbers
Every day in America, at least 4,185 AM radio stations broadcast news, talk shows, sports and other important programming. AM radio draws an audience of 82.3 million people — more than one in three American radio listeners — each month.
Get this: 57% of AM radio listeners tune into news/talk stations, the very outlets that carry breaking local news. Plus, in rural areas where FM radio signals are iffy, people rely on AM to stay plugged in.
Thanks to its long broadcast range, listeners can still tune into an AM station, regardless of where they are. Think about that the next time you’re road-tripping off the grid. So, why remove AM radios?
The REAL reason
Electromagnetic interference in electric vehicles. Because the electric motors in EVs throw off harmful static, AM radio quality suffers in an EV to the point where it’s unstable and unlistenable.
Bursting into flames: Protect yourself from lithium-ion battery hazards
Powering my cellphone? A lithium-ion battery. E-bike? Lithium-ion. Same goes for my iPad, MacBook, electric toothbrush, portable battery pack. I could go on.
The same goes for your tech. As it starts to warm up, we need to talk about safety. Fires from our little gadgets can get out of control quickly.
Flying cars … again: The FAA just rolled more rules for electric air taxis, from pilot training to airworthiness requirements. Imagine quick, quiet flights over city traffic, hopping from rooftop to rooftop. Some 1,044 vertiports are planned for development between now and 2028. I’m not saving my peanuts; the government moves so slowly.
700 miles per charge
For the new breed of EVs known as extended-range electric vehicles. The catch: You’ll have to gas up every now and then (paywall link). EREVs have a small combustion engine that’s there to charge the electric battery as you drive.
Is filling up a gas tank or charging an EV battery cheaper?
Let’s get ready to rumble! In this corner, we have our reigning champion: Gas cars. They’re reliable, affordable and tried-and-true.
In this corner, showing up brand spankin’ shiny and new are electric vehicles (EVs). They’re great for the environment and the government is comin’ in hot with incentives to get you to buy one.
EV stats revealed: States with the most chargers
Quick, take your best guess! Which state has the most chargers per registered electric vehicle (EV)?
Nope, it’s not California — though it is the state with the most EVs and the most EV chargers, all told. There are about 43,000 chargers (that’s 47 for every thousand EVs). That’s below the national average.
Six months: That’s how long Ford’s CEO has been driving a Xiaomi electric vehicle. Is that a new Ford model? Nope. Xiaomi is a Chinese-owned electronics company. The Ford CEO previously called China’s auto industry an “existential threat.” I guess he got over that.
🧃 Out of juice: Enel X, the company behind JuiceBox EV chargers, is cutting all support in the U.S. Its home chargers will still work, but they’ll receive no more updates, apps or fancy features, like scheduling a charge. Customer support is gone, too. Send questions or claims to claimsagent@tplc-claims.com.
50% more profit for Ford if it ditched EVs
Yeah, turns out SUVs and pickup trucks are too heavy to turn into efficient electric vehicles.
EVs are less reliable than gas powered cars
More bad news for electric vehicles: the latest data shows they’re simply not meeting expectations.
Bad news for car lovers! These models will get the ax in 2024
I collect cars, anything from classics to supercars. But my favorite is my 2012 MB SLS with the gull-wing doors. Well, I also love my 1946 Chevy Pickup and 1964 ½ Mustang … I love them all!
In 2022, most manufacturers cut at least one model that wasn’t bringing in cash. As more factory space goes into electric vehicles (EVs), it’s no wonder. Say so long to these cars. If you have one, you might want to keep it.
GM: Apple CarPlay? We’ll pass, thanks
Don’t expect your iPhone to work seamlessly with a GM vehicle. The carmaker plans to swap Apple CarPlay in its future electric vehicles (EVs) for a custom system developed using the Android Auto backend.
If it’s important for you to have CarPlay in your next vehicle, check Apple’s website to view the more than 800 models that still support it. The list includes models from Volkswagen, Nissan, Ford, Honda and Audi, among others.
More bad news for electric vehicles
Are electric vehicles really the solution to our transportation problems? Here’s my take, in 60 seconds.
Here are all the cars that now qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit
Almost every major car manufacturer now offers electric vehicles or at least hybrid alternatives. If you’re feeling the pressure to get an EV, there’s no rush! Here’s why it’s a good idea to wait.
The IRS’ new guidelines again cut back on the number of electric vehicles that qualify for a $7,500 tax credit. The number of qualifying models is shrinking yearly, and the list is shorter than ever. Here’s what you need to know.
The future of electric vehicles through the year 2050
Feel pressure to buy an EV? Here’s why you don’t need to just yet, in one minute.
The destruction to planet Earth from EVs they don't tell you
Are electric vehicles hurting the planet? Here’s the surprising answer, in one minute.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
These electric cars can score you a big tax break
As more people turn to renewable energy and save on the roaring price of gas, electric and fuel cell vehicles (FCV) are becoming increasingly popular. If you’ve been thinking about getting an electric car, now might be the best time. Ford’s new hybrid pickup starts at less than $20K.
Top 5 electric vehicles from the '90s and 2000s you probably forgot about
Electric vehicles are more popular than ever. Americans bought nearly twice as many EVs in the first quarter of 2022 than in the first quarter of 2021. Tap or click here for five of the bestselling EVs in the U.S.
If you’re in the market for an EV, you may have to wait until next year. Many are on backorder or sold out. Fortunately, more manufacturers are planning to put out new models and some are going entirely electric.
What you should know before buying an electric vehicle
Beyond your current speed and fuel level, your car’s instrument panel flashes warnings when something is wrong. If your tire pressure or windshield washer fluid is low, you’ll get a notification. The same goes for problems with headlights, brakes, steering, temperature, oil, battery and more.