James May still isn't convinced by electric cars

That has to be by far the most balanced commentary on EVs vs ICEs I've come across in quite some time. James May is just so fair-minded, eloquent, and comprehensive in his thinking. I find this topic uneccessaily fraught and littered with ideologues on both sides of the 'debate'. This really is the most sensible discussion I've heard on the topic for quite some time.

James is spot on. I’ve had 3 EV’s and own both EV and Gas/Petrol cars. When we drive around town the EV is great. When we take a trip we take a gas car. Very common sense talk.

Very well-reasoned comments. I’ve owned an EV for almost 5 years now and if anyone ever asks me if they should get one I always say, “It depends what you need it for.” I’m fortunate enough to have a driveway and 99% of my journeys are shorter than my car’s range. An EV makes sense for me but not for everyone of course.

Former CTO of an EV charging company here: James hit it on the head. Most people would be happy to own a quieter, more responsive vehicle that is cheaper to run. However, it's only cheaper for people with home charging who don't have to rely on public charging. There are some real elitist 'fanboys' when it comes to EVs, they don't seem to understand that spending up to 2 hours in a queue for a public charger because you aren't lucky enough to have charging at home and at work just isn't a practical way to live. Try telling your boss, your customers or your patients that you will be anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours depending if you can charge your car.

very real and balanced talk. May was always the most honest and sensible one.

It is so rare to hear an intelligent discussion on both the strengths and current weaknesses of EV’s. Bravo.

Very well said.. He sums it up so well... "the ambition is way ahead of the technology"

03:45 as someone who lived with a BMW i3 60Ah, full battery gave me 150km range and with fast charging it took 15min BUT, chargers were broken, didnt work for some reason with the car and so on... having a tiny battery and not being able to just drive off and try some other charger was scary. I had to sell it 1 year later.

He’s such a well-spoken, well-reasoned human. What a legend. Always with mindful and pertinent insight. I especially love listening to him discuss history. He’s got a passion for learning and teaching. In another life, he’d have made a brilliant Professor.

Very sensible conversation from a person that knows what there talking about

That was both extremely sensible and enjoyable! Thanks James.

Brilliant James! I could listen to this guy for hours on any subject

A lot of common sense there as ever from James May.

Toyota was heavily criticized for sticking with hybrids for so long, and now everyone is realizing that hybrids are very sensible. At least here in the northeast US, some dealers are struggling to sell their electric cars now.

May is correct. The biggest component of range anxiety is finding a bloody available/working charger. There are absolutely no guarantees in that regard. And the nearest charger may be miles away from your direction of travel. Then you take 15-20 minutes twiddling your thumbs waiting for the actual charging (assuming it's a fast charger). Have I forgotten something? Yes I have. You don't get anywhere near the advertised range, it's most often at least 30% lower.

Im considering getting one because I live in a small island that makes sense. My commute is short, but gas prices are just so out of control. What used to be $50 a month is now $120 a month.

A very balanced consideration, I thought. I agree with Mr May pretty much 100%. I'm off to fuel up my V8 now though...

Love listenening to James and he's always quite sensible. One other significant con that James may not have mentiond because he's rich: it's currently difficult or impossible for people who live in aparment buildings in large cities and park on the street to charge their vehicles (and not pay the significantly higher cost of using public chargers).

The idea is not to get your into an EV , the idea is to get everyone onto the bus.

In the Netherlands the power grid can't handle people charging their cars when they come home from work at the end of the day 😅