Strangers policing reasons you bought your EV

[RoadTripFan]

I have been asked some odd questions in parking lots and I do my best to just give a non-emotional, non-politicized answer no matter what. Now, I have never had anyone be outright rude or aggressive with me over the EV vs ICE and all of that. I always try to remember how when i had my first EV (it was an Audi about 6 years ago) I had TON of questions about how to use it, charge it on the road, did the mileage prediction work, etc.

I do lots of driving for work and my favorite thing was waking up to my vehicle being able to go however long I needed it to and then some without every having to stop in the middle of the day at the pumps. (Why does autocorrect want to change "pumps" to "pimps" ??LOL)

I pretty sure with the price of the vehicles i have purchased that are EV it hasn't really saved me any money - just shifted where I spend it. I know families who have some very real reasons to not switch to an EV right now and most of them revolve around money. Hopefully as they become more widely adopted the price point for what most of the US drives becomes more affordable. I am hopeful this switch has had some positive environmental impact but that math never really entered my head when i looked at them.

And the media... they definitely switch between going as far Liberal and as far Conservative as they possibly can. Which is totally not in line with who I have met on outings, while off-roading, camping or any of the other things I can do in my R1T that I couldn't in my other vehicles. Mostly, it's just been super cool people of all backgrounds out in nature having some fun and also helping each other out when needed. That's really been my experience when out in the world and whether it was the guy in his modified Jeep helping spot me through a rough spot off road or the Bronco whose compressor had died that completely checked out my truck while using the onboard compressor. Would love to see more of that sort of stuff being published.

Probably I will run into someone more aggressive/wanting to make some point or another at a charging station one day and I hope I can just be calm with it - you never know until it actually happens.

(Please note, this is no way a commentary that how anyone else responds to questions is good or bad. Simply sharing my experience without any judgment.)

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[ads75]

One guy asked me if the bed was big enough. He seemed like he was fine with everything else, but was just concerned about the size of the bed. Valid question, its big enough for me, but won't be for everyone.

Another guy I work with (who likes lifted trucks and follows some "sensationalistic" news sources) was asking a series of questions, I could tell where it was going. I told him it had 835hp, and then asked how much both of his trucks had, and pointed out it had more than both combined. He got quiet for awhile after that.

Another guy I work with talked about how bad lithium was for the environment. I asked if he was happy with big oil's. He basically called the oil accidents overblown or fake, basically, because they haven't affected him personally.

 

[s00n]

I’ve noticed the Congo comes up a lot. Which is IMO a valid point.

 

[carcrazydoc]

I'm very blunt and without apology with such people: "Why should I give a shit what you think?"

I love the blunt retort! Made me actually laugh out loud. Thank you

 

[Ingo B]

I had an old-timer come up to me last summer right after I got it and say "Is that the electric truck that looks like a Honda?" I said "Yeah, it's electric but styling is subjective." He asked a few other questions in the same tone that I answered.

When he walked over to his Porsche Boxter, I couldn't help but yell, "Hey, is that the Porsche that looks like a Miata?" He was pissed, and I was pleased with myself.

Ha...now that's funny.

 

[Ingo B]

Change is hard for people in general. They want things to stay the same so they feel like there's some semblance of control. For them especially, it's easier to rationalize based on what they're spoon-fed via family/friends/the media than to embrace/accept something different.

My whole thing is "there is no perfect solution, every system has its downsides, I made my purchase based on my needs. You do you." I generally don't engage strangers, but if they come in hot, I would just shrug it off and say I gotta go. My time is way more valuable than engaging in stupid arguments.

 

[Revelation]

As someone who has had an EV for several years, I have seen a lot of what is described - I don't think it is EV hate, per se.

Sure there are some that hate EVs, but I don't think it is the majority of these incidents. In the early days of EVs, there were a lot of EV owners that acted snobby and holier-than-thou. I witnessed plenty of that too. That could have rubbed some people the wrong way back in the days.

What I think most people are experiencing these days is simply falling along ideological lines. I even see that, today, from folks on this very forum - in this very thread. Most people have a misunderstanding that buying an EV makes one a "greenie" or "tree-hugger." They like to bring up the source of energy for EV charging because of said "holier-than-thou" attitude or perception thereof. And that source of energy can be a "gotcha" to bring one "down." I'm not a fan of that type of argument / debate strategy - to each their own.

When I do get questions related to environment, I simply say:
"I don't care."
"It's not the reason I buy EVs."
"Don't confuse polution with man-made climate change."
"If it turns out, one day, that buying an EV helped the environment then cool."

This usually puts them back for a moment and one can have a real conversation and often times they walk away with a better understanding of EVs in general. We can discuss the benefits and limitations of EVs.

The conversation always turns to:
"How are you going to charge it when the grid goes down?"

This is when I get to have a fun discussion with folks. That's when we talk about self-sufficiency and not relying on others. I usually mention things like the Colonial Pipeline hack or when there's a hurricane on the East Coast that is predicted to make landfall in our area, gas disappears very quickly.

I encourage you all to not take an adversarial approach to these questions. I have seen people go from staunch anti-EV to "hmmm, I think I might buy one." Another I often see with truck guy is: "that is pretty crazy, when it can do 'X' I think I will finally get one.

If you put off the wrong energy you will create anti-EV folks when they weren't to begin with. You can easily diffuse the questions about source of energy, if you live in an area that heavily uses coal or NG, simply by saying "I cannot change the source of energy for where I live, it is what it is, I wish they would build several Nuclear Power Plants and provide cleaner and cheaper energy to all."

If you truly see yourself as an "ambassador" for Rivian or EVs in general then you going to have to adjust your tactics a bit. Don't get me wrong it is glorious when you hit someone with a zinger and it shuts them up, it just usually isn't the best approach to shift another's perspective.

 

[Autolycus]

Another guy I work with talked about how bad lithium was for the environment. I asked if he was happy with big oil's. He basically called the oil accidents overblown or fake, basically, because they haven't affected him personally.

How has he been affected by lithium mining?

 

[anotherburrito]

Ha...now that's funny.

For the record, I like the Boxters and 718s, but I also know how sensitive some owners are about them.

Also, I should have said almost all the comments and questions I get are polite and genuinely curious here in Texas.

When I was one of the very few on the road in Austin last summer I literally couldn't get anywhere near the truck without answering a bunch of questions. I probably gave a dozen test rides to random reservation holders who reached out on Facebook or just saw me in a parking lot. Someone on here posted that it felt like they were dating a supermodel. No one cared about you, but had a ton of questions about "her." Ha!

 

[RedRaiderRivian]

Change is hard for people in general. They want things to stay the same so they feel like there's some semblance of control. For them especially, it's easier to rationalize based on what they're spoon-fed via family/friends/the media than to embrace/accept something different.

I am a professional engineer whose company wide role is focused on water sustainability for public entities. Getting people to change even simple habits like showering, washing clothes, and not watering their lawns is difficult. There is no amount of logical information that will change most people's minds. Saving money may not even be enough to convince people to change lifelong habits. In Texas, people think we don't have or need solar and wind power. https://www.businessinsider.com/ren...xas-power-grid-stable-record-power-use-2023-8

 

[the_mace]

I keep having odd experiences at the local gas station. I take the R1T to fill up gas cans for the tractors/mowers on my farm. I never get anyone asking the Why of it. They ask what it is. Then who made it and then they say its cool looking etc and I give them a quick pitch on speed/capabilities. Until I mention it they have no idea its electric (despite EV plates front and back)

Its what I love on the R1T. Its attractive but not polarizing for truck folks unless they love burning oil.

 

[moosetags]

Opal (our R1T) is our first EV. We have now had her for six months and are still in love with her. We are very fortunate with Opal as she has not had any of the issues that we have read about here on the Forums.

The only comments that we have gotten from neighbors and strangers at the Walmart parking lot have been positive. We have not yet run into any EV enemies out in public.

One young man asked us if we could raise Opal to her full ground clearance so that he could see it. He was obviously familiar with what a Rivian could do. We raised Opal and he was super impressed.

Most people comment on the truck because of her distinctive appearance. Unless asked, we don't even mention that she is an EV.

Brian

 

[Yossarian]

Don't yet have my R1S but when I mention getting a Rivian to some folks, it's not uncommon to then be on the receiving end of a speech about why EVs are bad and why they will never own one. I usually just say that performance, less maintenance and likely lower total cost of ownership are a big draw for me, adding that the side effects don't seem to be all that objectionable.

 

[ads75]

How has he been affected by lithium mining?

All he knows are talking points and not the basis behind them. He’s been like a ship without a rudder since his favorite entertainer/host was removed from a major opinion/entertainment channel earlier this year.

 

[NY_Rob]

I park so far out in the boonies... no one can even tell what I drove there.

They just see this little green speck way off in the distance and no one asks anything since I'm parked there by myself in another zip-code. ?

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