Quote:
Originally Posted by Trochoidal
jamala00, this isn’t directed towards you. But your response kicked started this thought.   
I’ve read these threads thoroughly as they popped up. I too have stayed away from commenting, except today. How about this talking point?
Let’s talk workforce being offset by the EV push. My main point is from the businesses that support ICE vehicles. Where do they exist in the future? I’m sure I’ll miss many manufacturers, but here’s a starting point.
Spark plugs/wires
Air filters
All oil products used in ICE (motor, transmission, differential)
Gaskets (intake manifold, heads, headers, water pump, etc)
Engine, transmission, transfer case, differential manufactures
Fuel pumps/ injectors
All exhaust components
Clutches
Now what about the service businesses?
Independent full service garages and also dealership technicians.
“Jiffy Lubes”
Transmission shops
I’m just talking about automotive industries.
Where does the trucking industry fit into this EV model?
Furthermore, does the marine and aviation industries fit in here anywhere?
Oh yeah, how do all of the aftermarket companies survive?
Maybe I’m not thinking outside of the box, but that seems like a lot of employees that will no longer be “needed”. |
I'm sure the horse and buggy industry had the same discussion a bit over a hundred years ago.
Not sure i have any sympathy there. Some workers have to be more adaptable than others because their work deals with transitional technology. That's something you know going into it.
The better ones will adapt and find new ways to make money and support themselves as those transitions occur.
Most of the items you listed above are things that cost me money. Not things i enjoy spending money on. I'm not going to miss spark plugs or oil changes so I'm on board with leaving that to history.
The heavy anti-ev sentiment in regards to the phasing out of muscle/pony cars is really amusing though. As if remaining ICE would have kept them around. I've heard literally no reason being attributed to EV's that wasn't already a factor and part of the manufacturer's ICE plans leading to this same result.
These cars were going away no matter what barring some massive reversal of the entire public's buying habits of cars. Cars are going to be less/no fun to drive no matter what. Cars are going to be nickle and dimed for features and services no matter what. Cars are going to get more expensive in relation to all other living expenses no matter what. Cars are going to start driving themselves in more and more situations no matter what. The public is going to favor less invested money in car ownership and this is going to drive fleet ownership and services to replace personal ownership for low/mid income consumers. There's just too many financial reasons for all parties involved (personal, govt, corporate, manufacturer, safety conscious, environmental concerns, etc) to go in this direction and not enough reasons not to.
edit: and what is the aftermarket these days besides aesthetic parts and snakeoil for like 90% or more of their sales? I'm sure EV's will have the opportunity for that still. So they wont be able to sell a handful of 6000 dollar supercharger/turbo setups anymore. Big deal. They probably make more money selling fiberglass/plastic stick on parts by far than what they get after R&D on something like a supercharger setup. I'm not convinced they're very scared. Plus think of all of the money they'll get selling "Monster" style cables to improve your ground loops and reduce resistance, etc that they'll be able to sell to take the place of the nonsense cold air intake money they'll be missing out on. I'm sure they'll be fine unless they're really bad at their job.