I'm in the very early stages of shopping for a compact SUV. My 1st criterion is that the one I buy has to be fun (read: reasonably quick). I pretty much had things narrowed down to the Mazda CX-30, it's 2 slightly larger siblings, theCX-5 and CX-50, and the new Dodge Hornet.
But down the YouTube rabbit hole I went, and soon became enamored of the Mustang Mach-e. Out of my self-imposed price range, but with Uncle Sugar's $7500 tax credit, prices fall back in to what I have budgeted.
Upon further review, however, the new law, with its Byzantine requirements for country of final assembly and, more problematic, where the batteries' materials and components are sourced. Reading both the tree-huggers and car enthusiast sites, they believe that few EVs sold in America will qualify for the full $7500 credit.
I'm not complaining; I was only checking prices, and while I would love a Mach-e, I'm not willing to pay $50 grand for it. The marketplace at work. But I wonder how many other potential EV buyers this is going to turn away. I also understand the motivation; bring those jobs to the US. But mining for lithium? I don't see senile Joe nor his environmental wackos going for that.
But down the YouTube rabbit hole I went, and soon became enamored of the Mustang Mach-e. Out of my self-imposed price range, but with Uncle Sugar's $7500 tax credit, prices fall back in to what I have budgeted.
Upon further review, however, the new law, with its Byzantine requirements for country of final assembly and, more problematic, where the batteries' materials and components are sourced. Reading both the tree-huggers and car enthusiast sites, they believe that few EVs sold in America will qualify for the full $7500 credit.
I'm not complaining; I was only checking prices, and while I would love a Mach-e, I'm not willing to pay $50 grand for it. The marketplace at work. But I wonder how many other potential EV buyers this is going to turn away. I also understand the motivation; bring those jobs to the US. But mining for lithium? I don't see senile Joe nor his environmental wackos going for that.