I know level 1 charging is there (although I also only have one exterior outlet), ~3 miles per hour of charging is tight. I need to be plugged in at least 10 hours for just my commute.
And, yeah, you hit on the big problem. EVs are expensive and are only really accessible to those already at the upper end of the spectrum. Belief that gas engines are more powerful or have more instant torque is not what is keeping people from EVs, so the point Randall makes is pretty stupid.
Purchase price, higher maintenance costs (EVs eat tires due to the increased weight and higher torque), installation of charging infrastructure (some us need expense electrical service upgrades and added wiring; we don’t all have 200 amp panels and garages with 30 amp 240v service already wired in)
I’d love an EV, but I won’t be afforded Int one for a bit. And used ones, even if cheaper, will have massive battery degradation cutting range way down.
Oh, I know way more better off boomers than well off millennials. Many with large suburban homes fully paid off. Homes I couldn’t afford if I made double.
I do not excuse the super rich. But I also know boomers are the ones that helped push Reagan into power for him to inflict trickle down on us.
There is a generational divide. Boomers and older GenXers often bought their homes years ago when they were far cheaper and have no mostly or entirely paid them off. If they need money, they can get a cheap HELOC. Their house is also a nest egg. That saves a lot.
They also likely actually got regular raises. Plenty of boomers make 6 figures and still struggle to open a PDF, while zoomers and millennials are doing most of their work for them for 1/3rd the pay.
I work for a city that constantly preaches sustainability, sends the mayor and council people to climate conferences, and is even buying fleets of electric vehicles for city use.
But we office workers (engineers, attorneys, accountants, HR, etc) have to work in office 5 days a week. Why? Because the city wants to encourage in office work because they decided to raise most of their revenue through local income taxes, which mostly hits commuters from the suburbs.
Of course, most companies don’t care about the example the city sets. If anything, the 2.5% tax is a massive incentive to keep working from home.
I think you have an answer. Search for a utility locating service.
But this is such a great PSA, because so many don’t understand how 811 works. They think that 811 will locate everything for free. They will not. They usually reach out to the utility companies themselves, who only mark what they own (they do often use contractors, and it’s often the same one do multiple utilities). They will not mark the private lines that go on your property. Water and sewer lines are usually customer owned after the curb. Oftentimes gas and buried electric and communications as well.
By all means, call. Where theirs end is a great clue as to where your lines begin, and you might never know what might be running through some decades old easement. But just because you are clear doesn’t mean there is nothing there. And if it is damaged, it’s on you to fix if you own it.
There is a ton of wasted space along that breakfast nook wall. Or just kill the breakfast nook. I don’t know thy you need it, a dining room, and seating at the island unless you have a huge family.
It is expensive, and in a lean month for a new business, you might not afford it. Many, especially people with kids or chronic illness can’t take that risk.
Also, that doesn’t speak to hiring employees. Larger companies offering health insurance puts small businesses at a huge competitive disadvantage.