[jgeada]

Why does everyone immediately pivot to EVs on this subject, instead of (looks around) gargantuan SUVs and trucks everywhere, due to peculiarities of US policies regulating SUVs more leniently than cars on fuel efficiency?

[Angostura]

Because a lot if EV buyers are interested in the environmental impact of their purchase?

[Spivak]

I say this as someone who owns an electric scooter and whose next car will be an EV—the sales pitch for EVs right now is basically pay more (especially now that the tax credit is gone) to have a worse time and maybe eventually claw some of it back over the lifetime of the car in fuel savings. The environmental impact is the pro in the pro con list. So if that doesn't pan out, or doesn't pan out enough it's going to be a tough sell.

Just the cost to get my garage outfitted with a charging port is about to be in the thousands because it requires me to replace the entire breaker panel. Now this is a me problem because that panel is ancient but it does add to the total cost of "doing this" and going EV.

[ceejayoz]

Alternatively: Because fossil fuel companies have a long, long history of astroturfing public opinion to benefit their business.

Same trick with solar farms: https://www.npr.org/2023/02/18/1154867064/solar-power-misinf...

And wind: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-oil-and-gas-ind...

[SoftTalker]

Consumers like SUVs. They are convenient, easy to get in and out of, flexible for hauling large items, many can pull trailers, offer good visibility for the driver, and do well in the snow.

[doug_durham]

They are also heavily subsidized by the US government in the form of relaxed regulations. The profit margins are higher which is why car companies push them. In their current ICE form they also benefit from massive government subsidies of the Oil companies. If you took those away it is unlikely that the convenience would be worth the additional cost.

[kjkjadksj]

Wagons can do all of that too

[hamdingers]

People want a solution to this problem that requires them to make approximately zero compromises.

The auto industry has positioned EVs as that solution, even though it's mostly not.

[colechristensen]

Because when you're talking about particulates in the air, one of the main local environmental harms from cars, EVs aren't the 100% clean people expect them to be.

[nonethewiser]

Because EVs are the proposed solution

[acdha]

EVs are heavier than equivalent-sized ICE vehicles, but they do enjoy regenerative braking. The answer is to make smaller-sized cars but the auto industry has been pushing the farmer cosplay for decades because the profit margins are a lot higher on a $75k truck or SUV than $30k sedan.

[looknee]

Chevy Suburban: ~ 5,700–6,100lbs

Model 3: ~ 3,860–3,900+ lbs

Suburban is about 1.5–1.6× heavier than a Tesla Model 3.

[46218725]

"A Tesla Model 3 has a greater curb weight than a Chevy Suburban" -- what? Source?

Suburban - 6,051 lbs Model 3 - 3,891 lbs

https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/suburban/2025/features-spe... https://www.edmunds.com/tesla/model-3/2025/features-specs/

[fullstop]

Tires yes, brakes no. Friction brakes are barely used on EVs outside of specific scenarios. Mine will engage in three situations:

    1. The brake pedal is pressed hard
    2. The battery is 100% charged and the energy from braking can not be used
    3. I am backing up

For #3, the only reason why the brakes are used when backing up is to ensure that they are used even the tiniest amount and to clear any rust from the rotors.

[citrin_ru]

Tire wear - yet, but in theory they should emit less brake dust thanks to regenerative breaking.

> A Tesla Model 3 has a greater curb weight than a Chevy Suburban

Google AI tells me that Tesla model 3 (heaviest modification - AWD) is 1851 kg and Chevy Suburban 4WD is 2640 kg. Is it wrong?

[ceejayoz]

Tire wear is probably a thing - although I suspect the per-wheel control allows them to better respond to slips and sudden acceleration. I've noticed test driving a Tesla that it accelerates rapidly much more smoothly with no tire slippage than a combustion car.

Brake wear is likely nulled out by regenerative braking. And you're probably not driving highway speeds through Manhattan, either.

[dripton]

This is wrong. Exact weights vary with trim levels, but Model are around 4000 lbs. and Suburbans are around 6000 lbs.

[littlestymaar]

Tire, yes. But not brakes. With an EV most of the kinetic energy is converted back to electricity thanks to regenerative braking instead of being turned into heat through friction.

Overall the EV emit fewer airborne particles even without counting the exhaust.

[throwawaypath]

Why does everyone immediately pivot to SUVs on this subject, instead of (looks around) gargantuan Tesla Model Ys that weigh as much as a Ford Bronco and EV trucks everywhere, due to peculiarities of US consumer habits and the demand for huge vehicles to pick up groceries?

[KptMarchewa]

Aren't Tesla Model Y SUVs though?