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

[TheBar]

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.

You must be talking about the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which allocated $7.5 billion to build a nationwide network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers.

 

[TheBar]

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.

When I say a long trip I mean several hundred miles outside heavily populated areas. $27 to fill up in 2025 would have bought 8.7 gallons of gas in 2025 at $3.10/gallon. A mid size car @ 30 mpg = 261 miles. Not sure an EV would save any money under normal circumstances.

 

[Oldgator73]

You must be talking about the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which allocated $7.5 billion to build a nationwide network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers.

I’ll let folks form their own opinions as to what events I’m referring to.

 

[DonTom]

half the people have IQ's under 100

I do not always buy into the IQ method for measuring intelligence. A very old system. Some people with very high IQs are rather stupid in many ways.

All a high IQ shows is a great ability to figure out useless puzzles. It shows little else in many cases.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[DonTom]

You must be talking about the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which allocated $7.5 billion to build a nationwide network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers.

After a few legal delays (court cases), it is now just starting to take off.

" 38,000 new ports added in 2024 alone through a combination of federal funding, tax incentives, and private investment. Regarding the specific $7.5 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocation, the Federal Highway Administration confirmed that 214 operational chargers across 12 states had been directly funded and completed by late 2024, with an additional 24,800 charging ports currently under construction."

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[DonTom]

Not sure an EV would save any money under normal circumstances.

The big savings is with how most people drive their cars every day with home charging.

"The average American driver covers approximately 37 miles per day"

And there are many who only charge at no cost to them, such as at work every working day. I retired 12 years ago, before I owned any EVs. But we had free to use Level Two EV charge station where I worked.

"
San Francisco has approximately 464 to 124 free-to-use EV charging stations, depending on the data source and definition of "free."

• ChargeHub data indicates there are 464 free stations, with over 1,200 total public stations in garages and lots, where about one-third are free or complimentary.
• PlugShare lists 124 free EV charging stations out of a total of 1,210 public stations in the city.
• These free stations are primarily Level 2 chargers subsidized by digital advertisements, with San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offering free charging for drivers who pay for parking.

For here in Reno:

"Reno, Nevada has 85 free EV charging stations out of a total of 425 public charging stations.

Key details regarding free charging in Reno include:

• Availability: Approximately 20% of the city's public charging infrastructure is free to use.
• Common Locations: Free stations are often offered by hotels, casinos, and businesses such as the Pepper Mill and the El Dorado Casino.
• User Experience: Local EV owners note that while free chargers exist, they are best used as a backup; primary charging is typically done at home due to the city's size and EV range capabilities.
• Networks: Some free stations are Level 2 chargers, while others may be part of destination charging programs (e.g., Tesla Destination chargers at specific venues).

On the road the price for an EV charge is still normally less than the gasoline price (especially these days!) but it does then vary from free to use to more expensive than gasoline.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I do not always buy into the IQ method for measuring intelligence. A very old system. Some people with very high IQs are rather stupid in many ways.

All a high IQ shows is a great ability to figure out useless puzzles. It shows little else in many cases.

-Don- Reno, NV

Sure. Like most any standard test you could name, e.g. the EPA CAFE fuel economy measure or the SAE 20 hour rate for battery capacity. It's a measure to a known standard that is repeatable and can be compared across a broad population. NOT a universal truth nor the only possible way to measure.

 

[TheBar]

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

One thing that really bothers me is the "truth" seems to keep changing. Part of this may be the Mandela Effect but I also believe some records are being rewritten.

 

[TheBar]

I do not always buy into the IQ method for measuring intel

After a few legal delays (court cases), it is now just starting to take off.

" 38,000 new ports added in 2024 alone through a combination of federal funding, tax incentives, and private investment. Regarding the specific $7.5 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocation, the Federal Highway Administration confirmed that 214 operational chargers across 12 states had been directly funded and completed by late 2024, with an additional 24,800 charging ports currently under construction."

-Don- Reno, NV

This source says as of Jan 2026 only 96 were actually funded by that 2021 bill. Where did the money go is a much better question.

 

[DonTom]

This source says as of Jan 2026 only 96 were actually funded by that 2021 bill. Where did the money go is a much better question.

I assume Skip Descant is not up to date on the latest info. But either way, there is now a little progress, which I assume will soon take off a lot faster than it has been.

FWIW, I do not think a lack of EV charge stations is a serious issue these days with countless EVs driving across the country ( as well as into Canada and Mexico) every day. The new stations will be more for convenience than anything else. IOW, the more the better.

However, it will be very helpful for my electric motorcycles that have less than half the range of most modern EV cars.

-Don- Reno, NV