The Expert Podcast

• Will it soon be impossible to buy a gasoline vehicle?
• Sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are in permanent decline.
• Major manufacturers, like General Motors, have stopped advancing gasoline engine technology since 2017.
• Buick plans to go all-electric by 2030, joining many others moving away from gas engines.
• What does this shift mean for drivers and consumers?
• An editor from the Wall Street Journal shares a real experience renting an EV for a 4-day road trip.
• She spent more time charging the car than sleeping — highlighting current charging infrastructure challenges.
• Long road trips in EVs face hurdles due to limited public charging stations and long charging times.
• Why isn’t EV charging infrastructure widespread yet?
  • Requires empty outdoor space, which is scarce in commercial areas.
  • Replacing gas stations with charging stations is costly and slow due to environmental regulations on underground fuel tanks.
  • Current EV ownership is about 1-2% of vehicles, so charging stations have low turnover and revenue compared to gas stations.
• Charging times remain a major bottleneck:
  • Level 2 chargers add about 25 miles of range per hour.
  • Fast chargers take 20-30 minutes per charge, still longer than refueling a gasoline car.
  • Sometimes charging times are inconsistent or unreliable.
• Real-world example:
  • A road trip from New Orleans to Chicago required frequent charging stops, many lasting 30+ minutes.
  • Total charging cost was lower than gas but came with many hours of waiting.
• Range anxiety and lack of reliable charging spots can lead to unexpected detours and stress for EV drivers.
• Gasoline stations remain abundant and easy to access along highways and major roads.
• The push to have 50% electric vehicles by 2030 is ambitious but faces significant infrastructure challenges.
• Government fleets like the USPS are transitioning slowly to electric vehicles due to these limitations.
• Consumer interest in EVs is growing, but the upfront cost remains higher despite tax credits.
• Fuel savings exist but may not offset the inconvenience and time spent charging.
• The big question: Is the current pace of EV infrastructure development enough to support a mass transition from gasoline vehicles?
• Possible outcomes:
  • EV adoption slows down, or
  • Many EVs sit unused due to lack of charging options, or
  • Charging infrastructure rapidly expands (still uncertain).
• We want to hear your thoughts — is this future realistic? What changes would you like to see?