All of this has been an interesting back and forth. I'll throw in my take on the EV's, not that means squat.
I am pro EV, but also pro ICE. Guess I'm a hybrid.
We bought in 2022 a Kia EV6 (NOT the GT). At that time, we were spending quite a bit on gas for my wife's car and my Ram and Jeep. With her getting the EV6, we were able to get a car with decent cargo capacity and use it for damn near all local drives and errands. My Ram was only used for hauling the travel trailer and trips to stores like Costco and Home Depot where we needed more space.
We routinely got 250-70 miles on a charge, so a bit less than advertised, but we both have a heavy foot and that acceleration kills range, just as with an ICE vehicle.
But we really only took it on a long drive that we routintely make to see family in Missouri.
Fast Charger stops in Nashville, Clarksville, Paduch, Mt. Vernon, and O'Fallon are close enough that we don't have to worry, and we have options. Charging it took 18 minutes to get to 80% charge, which was enough to get to the next stop (or leapfrog to the next one). Yeah, food options generally sucked, but with the 800v charging architecture in the car, we weren't there long. Just bathroom, and grab a coffee, tea, or whatever.
If we have concerns over traffic, weather, or need the flexibility in not having to worry about recharging/refueling, we take my truck. Simple, easy. We have options. I don't see us EVER going pure EV simply because EV's do NOT do it all. Perhaps one day, they will, but today is not that day. I understand the reason behind the mandate - to reduce dependence on oil and emit less into the atmosphere. Both are good goals, but the approach with the EV mandate simply won't work in any kind of reasonable timeframe.
The tax credit, which we did get because of it's price, wasn't a factor in our choice. We paid under MSRP for the car at a time when many others were paying sticker or more. We didn't HAVE to buy. She wanted an EV because she wanted to reduce our need for buying gas and that dependence on oil. Nothing factual. No analytics as to how much we'd reduce our need. She wanted it. And she makes more than enough to do that.
We looked at Teslas and the interior build quality looked like a bad Ikea, the screens were too small of fonts for her to read, and the dealer was an oaf. We learned more and more EV's came to market. She liked the EV6, it's 300 mile range, and the price. So we did it.
We installed a home charger (Level 2) on an unused electric dryer circuit (so not much draw on the grid) and got a tax credit on that for some reason as well. We do pay more on our registration because we don't use gas, so Alabama adds a surcharge for EV's to get that a portion of that $$ for road use. Whether that's where it actually goes, not sure. But they take it.
I see where we're at as being comparable to where we were with ICE cars back in the 40's and 50's. Getting more numerous, but the infrastructure was not quite ready. Interstates came. More fueling locations came. Those "Last gas for 100 miles" signs disappeared. Electric infrastructure isn't there yet. Vehicle range is getting better. Batteries are getting more efficient and different minerals/chemicals are being researched to reduce damage the environment.
EV's are NOT perfect. They are NOT THE solution. They are an option, an alternative, for those that want it. Some days we still get range anxiety on a long drive, though with my wife's new EV, range IS better than the Kia. But I sometimes still shake my head thinking "why did we do this?" But my wife wanted to go EV, and that's fine with me. It gives us options, and my truck still runs great and hauls our trailer anywhere we choose to take it.
Options are great. Chevy Cruze to Lambo Huracan. Hyundai Sante Fe to Ford F450. We run the gamut here with options. Powertrain is just another one now. Those options can spur competition and innovation. And I find that very interesting thinking about what improvements can be made that'll be good for everybody.
Drive a Vette. Drive a Tesla. Drive a pickup. Drive a go-cart. Ride a bike. Do what works for you. If it doesn't work for you, find something else that does.