Technology

Rivian is great, but really pricey and requires charging. Aptera is solar powered (or at least charges up to 50 miles/day on solar power alone). That’s what makes it exciting.

I'd sell that shit at a loss.

They just weren't paying attention then because Musk has always been exactly that.

And that’s really the only reason I have one - it was the only long range electric car available when I bought it. Now I would choose any of the many other options first.

And other Chinese brands!. The MG4 is super popular in Australia too. Can get it for about $38k AUD ($25k USD).

Even if Tesla wasn't tarnished by association with Musk, they have absolutely nothing at the budget end of the market. ie for buyers that traditionally bought corollas, little Mazdas and Hyundai's.

And BYD has the whole range, if I want a luxury sedan the BYD Seal goes toe to toe with the model 3.

I think China is going to eat everyone's lunch here in the same way Japan did in the 70s/80s, and Korea went in even cheaper in the 90s and 00s (how many Hyundai Excels/Accents were there in Australia in late 90s early 00s).

On the more affordable end around here I see a lot of electric cars from Ford, Chevrolet, Kia, and Hyundai around here, and to a lesser extent Volkswagen. On the high end it’s mostly Mercedes-Benz and BMW, sometimes Porsche. Once in a while I’ll see Rivian but they don’t have a dealership in our state. Even more rarely I’ll see Polestar, which does have a dealership in a city at the other end of the state, and at least one person here has a Lucid Air.

Edit: also on the high end, there’s at least one Hummer EV driving around here.

Are you asking if Rivian is the only company besides Tesla selling electric cars in the US?

No, nearly all major manufacturers sell EVs. Something like 25 brands.

Edit: although a few of those may still only be selling plug-in hybrids. I know Alfa Romeo is one, for example.

Rivian & the 2 or 3 models the big manufacturers have. I see way more hybrids than full electrics in my area.

Glad I'm not the only full grown child reading the thread

Look at Telo, their "truck" is the size of a Mini Cooper but with a full 8 ft bed. And it seats 5. That's incredibly compelling.

...my mazda 2 outhandles my MX-5s and is the only car i've driven which keeps pace with my elise; we've been waiting for an electric subcompact hatchback for about ten years now but the stateside market keeps doing everything it can not to offer me one...