Are Anti-EV Articles Driven by Big Oil or Media Clicks?

[DonTom]

but I find it so much easier to just plug into the power in my garage every night.

Every night? What do you charge at home with? I have a 12KW Tesla Wall Connector at each of my houses.

I do not drive cars far, and usually it is more than a week before I charge up again after a bunch of short drives.

Perhaps you drive a lot more than I do.

BTW, the only time I really needed to use a Tesla Supercharger was when I was on my 2020 Energica Esse Esse 9 motorcycle. The one in Jackson, CA has a "Magic Dock". Are you familiar with that? Perhaps not if you only owned Tesla:

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[rjshiflet]

Nah, just the media being provocative to get more views. Articles like that one pander to both proponents and opponents, trotting out hackneyed phrases, very few facts, and no analysis, but still triggering numerous page hits as both camps re-heat their favorite arguments. Controversy always sells newspapers and magazines, and especially so in the Digital Age.

As a retired member of the media (I feel I was part of the media back during the "trustworthy" era) I can tell you in the radio business in D/FW we use to jokingly (somewhat) wish for "a war or a storm" to drive radio listenership. I'm talking about during the 1980s.

Prior to that I was in the newspaper business and we loved local controversies to sell newspapers.

But, I don't believe we ever "created" those controversies or took sides, we just reported on them. This was back in the 60s and 70s.

When I TRY to watch any news these days, it drives me crazy that none of the networks are unbiased, either left or right and everything HAS to have a political angle. Honestly, I'm usually ashamed to admit that I'm a formed media guy.

 

[TheBar]

I decided to check to see what AI says about that:

"U.S. EV sales reached record levels in 2024 with approximately 1.6 million units sold, capturing about 10% of the light-duty vehicle market, though growth moderated in late 2025 due to the expiration of federal tax credits. In the first quarter of 2026, only six auto brands reported EV sales growth, reflecting a market that has shifted from rapid expansion to more stable, albeit slower, adoption.

The U.S. market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.6% to 13.6% through the next decade, with market value estimates ranging from $122 billion in 2025 to over $263–439 billion by 2030–2034. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) dominated the sector with a 69% share in 2024, and California remains the largest regional market, accounting for roughly 71% of U.S. EV revenue.

Key drivers include expanding charging infrastructure, advancements in battery technology, and corporate fleet electrification, while challenges such as high upfront costs, rural infrastructure gaps, and regulatory shifts (including the rollback of some federal fuel economy standards) continue to impact growth trajectories. "

As of May 2026, there are approximately 6.7 million Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) currently on the road in the United States.

This figure is derived from the cumulative sales data reported through March 2026:

• Total Plug-in Sales: Over 8.05 million plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) have been sold cumulatively since 2010.
• BEV Dominance: BEVs account for approximately 80–85% of these cumulative sales, translating to roughly 6.4 to 6.8 million units.
• Recent Activity: In March 2026 alone, 88,582 new BEVs were sold, continuing the trend where BEVs significantly outsell Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs), which made up only about 16,000 of that month's sales.

While over 8 million plug-in vehicles have been sold, the number currently registered and driving is slightly lower due to vehicle retirements, accidents, and exports, but the BEV fleet remains the dominant segment of the electric market, representing about 1.9% to 2.3% of all light-duty vehicles in operation."
And because I was curious:


"the previously cited figures do not include electric motorcycles.
The statistics of ~8.06 million cumulative plug-in sales and ~6.7 million BEVs refer exclusively to light-duty vehicles (passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks). Major data sources like the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the U.S. Department of Energy track these segments separately from two-wheelers.
Electric Motorcycle Context:

• Separate Category: Electric motorcycles, scooters, and e-bikes are classified as "electric two-wheelers" and are tracked in distinct market reports.
• Market Size: The electric motorcycle market is significantly smaller, with estimates suggesting roughly 37,700 to 50,000 units sold annually in the U.S. in recent years, compared to over 1 million electric cars and trucks sold in 2024 alone.
• Total Impact: Even if all electric motorcycles sold over the last decade were added, they would represent less than 1% of the total electric vehicle stock cited earlier. "

For those who d not know, "BEV" means Battery <only> EV. IOW, it does NOT include hybrids.

All eight of my EVs are BEVs (six are motorcycles).

-Don- Reno, NV

A wise man recently said "a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth" and you are doing your best to prove that is true.

The trouble with projected sales is a major demographic reason. There are only a limited number of nerds in the US and they have already bought their EV.

As far as you saying it is hard to find a place without EV chargers, a few weeks ago I posted a plugshare map showing a large part of the US has insufficient chargers.

And because you do not drive your EV cars on long trips forget about preaching your personal experiences.

Lithium battery life is based on how frequently they are charged, the degree of charging, and temperatures above freezing. Like not below 20% or above 80%.

So if you want your battery to last your 400 mile range is really only 60% of the rated range which is 240 miles.

Not discounting driving over 45, with the A/C or heater on, the weight of 2 people in the car instead of one, ambient temperature, etc. etc. which can drop that 240 mile range to 120.

EVs today are only found in cities driving fewer miles with fewer charging cycles, following the 80-20% rule, and in homes with garages with moderate temperate ranges.

Once they get used in rural regions and outside charging in the winter the battery expected life will quickly fall to 4 years. Which is a big problem.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

When I TRY to watch any news these days, it drives me crazy that none of the networks are unbiased, either left or right and everything HAS to have a political angle. Honestly, I'm usually ashamed to admit that I'm a formed media guy.

I am likewise appalled by the quality and style of reporting these days. Sometimes the article has little to do with the tantalizing key words of the headline, which features a name or event currently "trending" in social; media.And what happened to the classic "5 W's" of news writing, i.e. Who, What, Where, When, and Why? I read an entire article and too often find only one or two of the W's. Or even none, because the WHO is just what some celebrity or politico said about a topic. Another now-common type of news is conjecture, a report about what might happen that typically focuses and the scariest or most feared possible outcome, with doom & gloom quotes from politicos or biased "think tanks.

That style of "news" dates back to the 1890's and was known as Yellow journalism. It's a style of reporting that prioritizes sensationalism, exaggeration, and scandal over verified facts to attract readers and boost sales.

 

[weighit]

I try to keep my battery at 80%, keeping it pluuged maintains that level. If I don't drive, it doesn't charge, but if i do whatever I got the battery level to it just tops it back off. So every day I leave the garage I have about 3/4 full tank!!

 

[DonTom]

I try to keep my battery at 80%, keeping it pluuged maintains that level. If I don't drive, it doesn't charge, but if i do whatever I got the battery level to it just tops it back off. So every day I leave the garage I have about 3/4 full tank!!

So you do not charge every night, you're only plugged in every night, so it will charge as needed.

I do the same with my Tesla when I am on an RV trip and will not be back for a while. Otherwise, I do not bother.

I do not plug in my Chevy Bolt when I am gone. It will use almost no battery power when just setting, unlike the Tesla. Many things go on in the Tesla when it sits, unlike the Bolt. But I also cannot watch the Bolt remotely and control various functions--but not stuff I need or care about.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[DonTom]

I posted a plugshare map showing a large part of the US has insufficient chargers.

Depends on what you call "insufficient". EV cars can and do go anywhere in the USA these days, but some places have more charge stations than others--and even that is quickly changing.

Tesla drivers vote on where they want to add new charge stations, which is a nonstop thing.

Charge locations can be an issue on my electric motorcycles because they have less range which means they need to charge more often. But at least two of them can make it across the USA from coast to coast.

Here are a few facts (however, locations are a lot more important than the numbers):

• Total Volume: China holds approximately 65% of all public charging stations worldwide, with estimates ranging from 1.1 million to over 1.76 million charging points depending on the source and date of the data.
• Per Capita Ranking: While China leads in total numbers, it ranks 19th in charging stations per 100,000 people (approx. 127 stations), with the Netherlands holding the top spot for per capita density.
• Comparison: The United States ranks second in total public stations with roughly 113,527, significantly trailing China's infrastructure scale.

As of May 2026, Europe has surpassed 1.25 million public EV charging points, with recent data indicating continued rapid expansion toward a projected total of 1.47 million by the end of the year.

 

[DonTom]

And because you do not drive your EV cars on long trips forget about preaching your personal experiences.

Talk to those who do--as I have. You can find many such people at EV charge stations. You usually will not find any locals there.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[Chef Duane]

Not commenting on the substance of the article, only its timing. We are heading into the summer slowdown for journalism (if that still exists in America) and many websites publish 'soft' articles this time of year. It gets more noticeable as the summer progresses as seasoned journalists go on hiatus and newsrooms are filled with less experienced writes looking to find a way to get published. An article about the ICE/EV debate seems to fit that bill perfectly.

 

[Brad Buchanan]

I have talked about it countless times here.

Perhaps you mean the old Tesla Model S. It has free supercharging for life of the car, even if you buy a used one today. Also, Tesla usually gives free Supercharging with a new sale--for six months. Not that it is a big deal, I got it with mine and only used it one time for five minutes just to see how it worked. It is more convenient to slow charge at home for a few bucks. So there many different ways for "free", including free to use charge stations paid for by the city or even the state. Also federal grants--but that has a major problem. The feds pay the state in install them. I do not know who pays for the electricity. But after they are installed, there is no money for maintenance. So when they break they rot away unrepaired forever. Donner Summit rest areas, CA has one for WB as well as EB. DCFC. One broke, the other was vandalized (connectors cut). Years ago-- still both broken today but not removed, No money for that either, nobody to pay to do anything with those. Both are Cal-Trans DCFC, from a federal grant to the State of CA.

Same with several others. Such as the rest stop in Hawthorne, NV.

Tesla no longer has free charging for life except for the old Tesla Model S. And I think for Cybertrucks that were purchased during a certain time period because of the very poor sales.

There is still some free to use working charge stations, such as the one I mentioned here. And here. And here, and other places. Countless free to use level two EV charge stations here in the Reno area--mostly in casino parking lots, but also motels, restaurants and other places that are open to anybody--do not need to be a customer except in some cases.

So I do not know which version of "free" you mean. Free DCFCs are getting rare because most of those are from federal grants from years ago. There is nobody paid to fix those. Or even to remove them.


That is a big myth for the states that have the most EVs. CA (the state with the most EVs) has the opposite problem. They overdid it have have more juice than they can get rid of. See here.

" We have charged all the batteries we can charge. We have sold all the power that we can sell.’”



Several RV parks now have Level Two Charge stations. Many KOAs as well as the place I stayed here at the Twin Buttes RV. See the 4th photo down.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[Brad Buchanan]

I looked at that article and it was just detailing solar power for the most part.

California routinely has to buy power from other states to meet its needs...some from coal.

if I lived in ca I would have solar for my house as a supplement. However ca's baseload is provided by non solar sources for the most part.

 

[John From Detroit]

A wise man recently said "a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth"

That is actually a misquote but it is close enough for general use (Not becomes the truth but People will believe it)

And because you do not drive your EV cars on long trips forget about preaching your personal experiences.

I drove from Boston Airport to Easthampton MA that's 96 miles. then drove around the area for a couple days.> I forget if I recharged on Sat or Sunday (I think Sat night) overnight at the hotel's charge point. 27 bucks to refill. as I recall. But it has been over a year.

I liked that car... But I would rather drive a UAW built ride.

 

[Chef Duane]

From Goebbels' Principles of Propaganda by Leonard W. Doob (1950)

13. Propaganda must be carefully timed.
A. The communication must reach the audience ahead of competing propaganda.
B. A propaganda campaign must begin at the optimum moment
C. A propaganda theme must be repeated, but not beyond some point of diminishing effectiveness.

 

[DonTom]

if I lived in ca I would have solar for my house as a supplement.

My CA house has 4KW of solar on the roof. Many in that area have a lot more. Almost every house in that area has roof solar except in the areas where there is little sunlight (lot of tall trees and hills).

That is one of the reasons why CA sometimes has too much power, regardless of where it comes from.

"That’s an amount equivalent to burning nearly 3.9 billion pounds of coal, or enough to power the entire state for almost four and a half days. This waste means that California isn’t making the most of its huge solar buildup — ratepayers helped fund solar farms, but don’t reap the full rewards."

California routinely has to buy power from other states to meet its needs...some from coal.

Sounds like you're using old info., but it is difficult to get 2026 info. It changes every year.

But if they can still run the entire state for 4.5 days just from the extra solar power alone, why do they need to get juice from elsewhere? I cannot make any sense out of that, can you?

Note above adds up to 100%, and no coal is mentioned.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[NY_Dutch]

I drove from Boston Airport to Easthampton MA that's 96 miles. then drove around the area for a couple days.> I forget if I recharged on Sat or Sunday (I think Sat night) overnight at the hotel's charge point. 27 bucks to refill. as I recall. But it has been over a year.

I liked that car... But I would rather drive a UAW built ride.

There's a number of UAW built EV's to pick from...

 

[DonTom]

27 bucks to refill. as I recall. But it has been over a year.

Many motels will let you charge for free. The norm in this area in and around Reno.

And often at 14KW. Sometimes more. And even when you're NOT a guest.

Here I am doing such. Click on the photo and you will see three different electric motorcycles charging for free--all three are mine. I often stop at a restaurant across the road for lunch--Chinese or Mexican.

While above gives the location of the Bar & Grill, that is owned by the Studio Six Inn right next to it.

There are other free to use charge stations in that area, such as here, just a few miles south. There you will see two of my electric motorcycles if you click on the photo.

The many motels closer to home that have free to use charging are useless to me since I normally leave home with a full charge or close to it.

Here is another motel that welcomes anybody to charge for free, a bit farther from Reno. You can see my bikes charging there too. 19.2 KW, three times the speed of the one you used, which you had to pay for.

But I normally get my free charge up that way here, from the free to use solar EV charge Station. That one is very useful to me for my many rides in the high Sierra mountains. From there, I can get a free charge in Truckee, CA. The entire trip at no cost for the juice. I have gone as far as 300 miles on free to use charge stations.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[DonTom]

There's a number of UAW built EV's to pick from...

In John's case, it was a rented EV, so I assume he had no choice.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[DonTom]

From Goebbels' Principles of Propaganda by Leonard W. Doob (1950)

It's a lot more difficult to BS the people in 2026 than in 1950. Today, we have countless places to check the facts, even though some of the so-called "facts" are also BS, but if we do enough research, we can usually find the truth.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[John From Detroit]

It's a lot more difficult to BS the people in 2026 than in 1950. Today, we have countless places to check the facts,

Well half true.. By definition or design (Take your pick) half the people have IQ's under 100

(NOTE: The "IQ" standard puts a person with 100 right smack in the middle so it's by design. this is not a "profound" statement just a fact).

I am forever answering questions that take me less than a minute to find the answer to in hardware help groups.

My favorite is "Every 5 seconds my ICOM D-star radio receive cuts out" (Weather alert is turned on)

 

[Oldgator73]

It's a lot more difficult to BS the people in 2026 than in 1950. Today, we have countless places to check the facts, even though some of the so-called "facts" are also BS, but if we do enough research, we can usually find the truth.

-Don- Reno, NV

An untruth repeated a thousand times is still an untruth. Just because multiple websites say the same thing does make that thing a fact. I can think of recent events where tens of millions of folks were duped into believing promises as fact only to realize otherwise.