Nailed it here. We aren't just buying based on facts of "this is cheaper than that", we also buy on perceptions and emotions around these vehicles. I think that's why some of these conversations about EVs and ICE and $XX price vs $XXX price come about. I know at least for me if I have a really good car I'm fairly emotionally attached to it. I'm really into the experience. I will say some of the EV experience people might take it too far from time to time though.
I think a lot of people don’t really understand the total ownership cost of a vehicle. It’s way more than purchase price, or, heaven forbid, the payment.
Total cost includes depreciation (way more important than just the simple sticker or purchase price), financing charges, insurance, fuel, taxes, repairs, and maintenance.
Had this discussion recently with a buddy, who has made a habit of buying a new luxury car every 10 years, and paying cash. No finance charge. Near zero repairs in the first ten years. Modest insurance (excellent driving record and vehicle safety record). Pretty big tax hit (VA charges property taxes on cars, at the rate of $4/$100 of value). Modest maintenance.
His wife’s Mercedes, on order, is a new $70,000 SUV, will cost about $500/month in depreciation. Which isn’t bad when you consider what most people are shelling out in monthly payments. She will be driving a new luxury car with all the latest conveniences and safety features.
He has done this several times. Total cost of ownership isn’t bad when you keep it long enough that depreciation doesn’t hurt, and you avoid expensive financing. Most cars don’t need extensive repairs in their first ten years/100,000 miles, and defects, if any, are covered under warranty early on.
It‘s actually a good way to go.
The plug in hybrid, while more expensive than either a hybrid, or BEV, does save on fuel cost over the gasoline engine, and eliminates the range/charging challenges of BEV. Again, total cost becomes reasonable when every factor is added up.