😱 Why I Switched to Electric Vehicles: And 6 Reasons I Won't Go BACK!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Let me know in the comments what motivated you to switch to an EV, and if you don't own an EV did this video give you something new to consider? Thanks again and don't forget to like and subscribe!

[@cackerson10]

I've wanted one for a while as I consider myself an environmentalist. Found these Bolts that GM bought back under the Lemon Law and was able to get a 2020 Bolt Premier with 11K miles for $14,500 after $4k Incentive. We primarily use it for around town errands and its great for that.

[@Casey835]

Your story was very moving, I wasn't expecting it to be the best reason I ever heard. My reason for switching to EV was simply saving money. I paid a lot in gas for my long commute but didn't want to give up my zippy Hemi powered gas guzzler for a slower fuel efficient gas vehicle. Now I pay 1/4 the amount to charge my vehicle compared to gas and its even faster. Going back to a gas car just seems like a waste of money.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for sharing!

[@billh.3522]

Thanks for your service to our country! Your #6 was no surprise after the intro and the build up to the end. You’re doing a great job and doing your part. One day soon, hopefully, I will be able to decide which EV will make it to my driveway.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for the support!

[@jamescardelli4254]

Thank you for your service. Like you, I was motivated to get my first EV because I wanted to reduce my reliance on oil and gas. My first EV was a Kia Niro EV. I have been fully electric for 3 years now and I have zero intentions on going back to gas even in Oregon where we do not pump our gas. Plus, I work from home and can charge at home so owning an EV is easy. I spent roughly $135 for charging at home in 2024. My current EV is a 2024 Chevy Equinox RS which I am loving.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Glad to hear you're loving your new EV.

[@zarbon700]

Now you increased your reliance on child labor, mining, environmental destruction and increased pollution from battery manufacturing/transport. The electricity you use to charge your EV comes from power plants using oil and gas. An EV would have to drive a minimum of 70,000 miles in order to achieve any environmental benefit over I.C.E.

[@remingtf]

Your story make abundant sense. I was never in the military, and we bought our EVs as a part of our commitment to keep the Earth inhabitable. We have two EVs, and we love them!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for sharing and happy holidays!

[@777Outrigger]

My first interest in EVs had to do with national security too. If EVs were a viable alternative to gas cars and we could reduce our oil consumption considerably, Putin, the Iranian mullahs, and the lefty loonies in Venezuela would be left high and dry. After 2 yrs of studying EVs, my wife and I now own 2 Model Ys. We couldn't be happier. They've been perfect, no repairs and less costly to operate.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for commenting!

[@riveracrr]

I've been researching ev trucks for awhile. Glad I came across your channel. I took delivery of my R1T Dual motor w/Performance package in Canyon Red today. I used your code in my purchase. Thank you for sharing relevant and useful content. This truck is my first EV. It's so versatile. Loving it already!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks! That's awesome! Glad to hear the truck is exceeding your expectations.

[@kbmblizz1940]

Another good reason, clean air. My coworker lived in LA in the 70s. The air was so polluted he developed respiratory issue, believes he'd die there so he moved to N. CA. Yes, modern ⛽ cars exhaust is much better but still a serious health problem. Fumes still kill you in a closed garage.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Yes, car exhaust is a big problem along the West Coast.

[@accountability2000]

Appreciate you sharing your story and service. Great video as always. I went EV for several reasons, mainly for cost savings and the environment. On the latter, I grew up near a petroleum plant in Texas, which I hated. That said, I would have never considered an EV if it were not for a good friend from college who owned a Polestar 2. Having him as a resource really helped open my eyes. Will definitely never go back to an ICE gas. Love my used Volvo C40, which is basically a Polestar 2 SUV with local Volvo dealer support and a more functional and roomier interior. Finally, like you, I have solar and plan to go off gas over time when my HVAC and water heater need replacing.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

@@accountability2000 Thank you for sharing your EV transition story as well 🙏

[@patrick7228]

Powerful story. Thanks for sharing. I got into ev's because I wanted to reduce emissions. The funny thing is I had no idea there was so much anti-ev out there until I got one.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

You're not alone! It's surprising how much opposition there is to this technology.

[@dianewallace6064]

Thanks, Curtis. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Merry Christmas!

[@phatcat3381]

Gas prices in Southern California. We’ve been consistently above $4/gal for years. I went from about $350 per month ICE, to about $100 per month EV. The switch was a no-brainer.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

You can't beat the savings! $250 a month adds up!

[@zarbon700]

In the long-term, you are actually spending more money with the EV. Stop thinking short-term. When you factor in higher purchase price, depreciation, battery degradation and replacement, high frequency of tire replacements, higher insurance cost, EVs are more expensive to own.

[@DroneUpp]

Hey there DOM! I picked up my EV about a month ago and right after, I stumbled across your channel to assist in the adjustment process. Ive already learned a lot from watching you and I think I will be very happy in having it. I think all of your reasons were great. Thank you for your service. I am an 8 year vet who sometimes wish I stayed and did 20! 😅 It is a huge sacrifice but worth it. I will keep watching. Happy Holidays!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for your service! You made a good decision.

[@willbyrd5549]

Thank you for your service and thank you for your perspective! I purchased my EV primarily due to opportunity. Always wanted one. I due enjoy the drive. You definitely have to change your perspective and mindset on charging versus gas stations. Low maintenance costs was also a big factor. Thanks for sharing!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

I appreciate your feedback!

[@ArthurVeraCruz-u2s]

Thank for your service.

[@miketrombley9107]

The line at Costco for gas is often over 20 minutes. It's the cheapest gas in the area. I used to drive a Silverado(1500) it could really suck down the gas. Wasting an hour or more every week to get gas. The second reason was personal energy independence.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

That's a great point about the time wasted at the gas station.

[@MediaAceStar]

Great video! Your reasoning matches my own. It’s kind of wild how many people have a negative view of EVs. I’ve got solar panels and two EVs - powering my home and transportation with “good ol’ American sunshine”!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Well said!

[@dbradley65]

Thanks for sharing your story. For me, I had just started working at a company that had charging stations. So that meant at least half my commute was free. Unfortunately, I decided on a Nissan Leaf. I really liked the car, but Nissan botched the battery tech. I switched to a Tesla Model Y after that and never looked back.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for sharing, it's great to hear about your experience with charging at work.

[@danielscheerer3032]

Good on 'ya, man. Another good reason to subscribe to you - support of military and country. Thank you!

[@TwinForce-e3m]

Very Good Video, all 6 reasons are so true, I am part of the way , our charging here is 25 % by Solar but the electric grid is Hydroelectric from Mekong River , soon I either sell the Diesel Truck Camper or I convert the Mitsubishi Truck to EV conversion , I know it can be done. Being retired I need to watch my spending more n more. Another thing about retirement and not being able to work at my job is money. We own everything and no credit card debt. we keep 2 credit cards but they are used on apple and amazon, if I could which might be sooner than later change to transfer payments with bank accounts.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for sharing your story! I believe EV conversions will be big business in the future.

[@cackerson10]

All great points, I love passing the Gas station in my Bolt. Thank you for your service and Happy Holidays!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for watching and Happy Holidays to you as well!

[@jeremyp3630]

I agree with all your reasons, and the one I tell people about most is that I produce the equivalent of about 2000 gallons of gas a year from my roof, and with net metering I can bank up credit all summer and just pay the month minimum electric charge of $5! We just got an R1S a few months ago to go with our bmw i3, and I also put mini splits on our house and about to swap the hot water heater from gas to heat pump which will be the last appliance to do! It is much more tangible for people to realize they don't need to worry when gas prices spike!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

That’s a great example of how you’re taking control of your energy costs. I'm about to get a heat pump water heater installed as well, and I just replaced both of my HVAC units with heat pumps. Thanks for sharing!

[@dianewallace6064]

Im a long-time viewer. I remember you racing that vehicle back in the day. 2022-2023ish.

[@shermanbrooks81]

I just recently switched to an ev. I'm fortunate to do most of my charging at work, and I just charged at my house on the weekend. I have a 42 mile commute to work. The fact that I can use the HOV lane and Toll lanes for free. It has saved time on my commute. I will never go back to ICE vehicles.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

It’s great to hear about the benefits of using the HOV lane and Toll lanes for free.

[@Jimbow03]

I switched 3 years ago and will never go back. My friends think I’m crazy but I don’t care. Your list is the same as mine. Great video.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

You're not crazy. They are!😂

[@karensandberg6226]

We went solar about a year ago and now own a Blazer EV. Now saving up for battery backup and bidirectional so we can use the 102 kWh battery in the Blazer EV. We are retired so it’s all being done in stages. Thank you so very much for your service. 😊

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for sharing your story, you're moving in the right direction!🙏

[@im4udevco]

My 1st reason was performance. I got the Model 3, LR, RWD , 2018 with 4.5 seconds 0-60 mph. Then I realized the tech and gas savings, and I never looked back. We now have a Model Y and a Rivian R1S and never going back to ICE vehicles.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

The acceleration of an electric car is like no other!

[@jaydubya9265]

Its all about the convenience and practicality for me.

[@mbrowne3874]

I am not an EV owner yet, but I intend to be in the next 2-3 years. I currently have a reservation on the R2. I just wanted to say I enjoy your content and the insight you give about owning and living with an EV and how it differs from life with an ICE vehicle. Keep up the good work.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

I hope the content is helpful and I'm glad you like it!

[@Big_Raf_TV]

Sir! Respect to you for this video, and for your prior service to our country. I had been in the Air Force for a year in 2007, and i didnt remember President Bush saying that (I was 22 and probably not paying attention.) i switched to EV a few years ago myself with a Chevy Bolt EUV and now a Equinox EV and I also will never go back. I love EVs. Thanks for this, and subscribed!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks you for your service and happy holidays! It was actually in 2006. I gave the wrong date in the video. It was a big deal at the time because he was a oil man. Here is an article that covers it: www.brookings.edu/articles/president-bush-and-oil-addiction/

[@lindabell8255]

Thank you for confirming my decision to buy an EV. I just purchased a Cadillac Lyriq in January, it has exceeded my expectation. I have two cars in one, EV and Luxury car. I was able to take advantage of many tax incentives which sweeten the deal. My reasons were 1. I hate, hate smelling gas and standing in cold/hot weather pumping gas. 2 Global warming, I do not want to harming the planet. 3.Electric is the future. 4. My car is very fuel efficient, I still have not noticed an increase in my Electric bill. My Lyriq is so BEAUTIFUL, I get so many compliments. It is so roomy, my 6.4 son drives it very comfortably. My grand children love it, they said it feels like a space ship. I love the quiet, smooth ride. However, the charging infrastructure needs to be improved and expanded. We took a 270 mil trip and had no problems but we had to plan the charging stops. I shared your video with my brother who has a Cyber Truck. He and I are passionate about EVs we are not going back.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for sharing your story and happy holidays to you!

[@dianewallace6064]

The Lyriq does look beautiful

[@brita654]

Thanks for your service and sharing some of your life here. The trip to gas station isnt a pain in the but thing for me that I view as you do. Except for the rare trip to fill my Pacifica Plug In every 3 or 4 months and I always get that weird WOW factor that I havent pumped gas in quite a while. I havent heard that idealogical reason yet. But its an amazingly worthy one for sure. For me it was the incentives and the overall fuel/maintenance savings over the life of the truck that added up to no brainer lol. Plus there are a few things about the Lightning that are better than its ICE counterparts such as the frunk, independent suspension/amazing ride, Pro Power, 0-60 in 1 second- lol-and no tranny lump inside.Sadly the environmental factor was second fiddle to the financial of course as is with most people and thats why I feel the mandates and incentives are - or have been - the right thing at the right time to get the transition rolling. Good stuff The energy independence is interesting cuz I really havent heard this on you tube vids. The true independence requires some capital. I have a solar setup but its grid tied/no storage (except for my Bluetti AC5000 which costs$$$ and really is just a few drops in the bucket for a Lightning depending on usage lol)and leased (option to buy later) but lowers my bill about 35-50% depending on weather and usage.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

I'm glad you shared your story, it's nice to hear about how the incentives are helping people make the switch.

[@davidthomas4489]

When I retired from teaching in 2018, I had a Chrysler 300, a good dependable car, but then I was no longer commuting to work. Also, the thought of maintenance was no longer appealing. With solar panels on my house and the fact that I don't drive much, It made sense to buy my 2017 Tesla Model S. with 20K miles. No more trips for oil changes and all the other items one must deal with. Another thing I don't miss is SMOG checks, whereas my car will be approaching that requirement soon. I don't miss the gas stations or anything else. My car gets updates and like you said, some updates correct issues or improve the technology. I will never go back to an ICE vehicle! Thank you for your service!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for sharing your experience. You've summarized the advantages well!

[@ElectroMoviCars]

Very well said 👍👍

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for watching!

[@bricks-mortar]

👍TY.

[@DougSteventon]

You are a highly principled man.👏

[@chrisb508]

I agree that avoiding involvement in wars in the Middle East is a great reason to switch to an EV. I personally spent 3 1/2 years there and saw first hand what goes into making sure we have enough oil in the U.S.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thank you for your service!

[@kappa888af]

All good stuff. I have a reservation for a R2. After a demo drive of the R1s, I was hooked. The R2 meets my needs a little better size and price wise.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

I think you’ll love it! We have an order in for one as well.

[@electricvehiclesug256]

Thanks for giving us clean air to breath

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

My pleasure 😊

[@mikeintampa250]

Happy holidays! I agree with you on all of your points and as to the last one I experienced it firsthand when hurricane Milton hit Tampa and you couldn't get gas around here. My wife has an ice vehicle and I looked for days for gas wasting many hours. I witnessed fist fights and I was going out of odd hours of the night trying to find gas, it was harrowing. Also, I've always liked your channel and I appreciate your humor but I also appreciate your service and altruism.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for sharing your story. Many believe that EVs are a liability in hurricanes, and you just showed it was a major benefit! Happy holidays to you and your family as well!

[@illtrill]

Fellow vet with a similar story. Left college (ROTC) to enlist in the Air Force. Just wasn't ready for college. 26 year career later no regrets. I do regret not going full EV and choosing a PHEV 3 years ago, but with a short work commute I only need to hit the gas station about every 3 months. Trying to convince the wife to move to EV though.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thank you for your service! I just replaced my PHEV Chevy Volt with a BEV two years ago. PHEV are a good transition vehicle, and the public charging network is getting better by the day. My wife switched to a Rivian as well even though she still has a Mazda, but she only drives it rarely to keep the battery from dying...again 😂 Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@illtrill]

@@thedukeofmiddleville Same to you and yours and thank you for your service as well!

[@marryellen7713]

My long distant venture. Destination NO Walmark, Meijer, to shop. 7 1/2 minimum charging with nothing to do. Yes some sleeping and eating at a restaurant. then the next stop everything was closed. 2 1/2 charging. I made it home with 20 miles on the predictor.

[@wallacebell4311]

My family is the first in our subdivision to have two EVs on their driveway. My son bought a new 2020 Chevy Bolt EV on 11/25/20 and my wife and I just leased a 2024 Chevy Equinox EV RX on 11/27/24. No problems, no gas, no oil changes, charging is mostly done at our house, regen brakes are wonderful. No more worrying about the price of gas that can go up at anytime and it does. Some people lead and most people follow. Which are you?!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

That is great to hear you are enjoying the transition to EVs!

[@TwinForce-e3m]

ohhh so many reasons , 1 st that I remember Flying over the Poles every year and seeing the ice melting , and as a Captain seeing every year climate changing with more and more intense storms. I worked every ocean , 36 years sailing and watching the devastation. Buying this EV was a first but I had already wanted to buy one , just when to buy at the right time. yes it is nice not waiting in line , but to plug in at house.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

A coworker of mine that was an Air Force pilot told me the exact thing. He said it was clear what was happening at the poles. Thanks for sharing!

[@trstrean]

Great reasons! I cant figure out how switching to EVs became such a hot topic issue for the Party that started it...and started it for valid concerns. Funny enough that concern over oil control is why China made it a strategic priority. For me, the prices of most of this technology is finally becoming more affordable and more practical. Former military also and it just wasn't practical with all of the moving and long drives to visit family until recently. I still dont think EVs are affordable for junior enlisted. How many military bases have abundant charger capacity around the barracks?

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

According to the Military Times they are now installing EV chargers in military housing. About 7800 home are eligible to installed in homes. The EV credit make them more affordable, but all the moving around will create problems until home charging at military bases is standard. Thanks for sharing, and thank you for your service!

[@trstrean]

@thedukeofmiddleville glad to hear the bases started looking at it. I haven't found any on the bases I frequent, but I normally just get the commissary or exchange and call it a day. Should recommend to Rivian to lobby for a contract to install on bases. No bigger adventure than military life! 🙂

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

@@trstrean That is a very good ideal!

[@appleiphone69]

Originally there was Rush Limbaugh who made his money by creating issues to divide people. He might have been paid by big oil to say those “liberal tree hugging democrats, environmentalists wackos are going to force a golf cart down your throat”. “They will ban pickup trucks and bass boats”. There is a segment of the population who lack critical thinking skills and eat it all up.

[@Ded-Ede]

3:31 That EV credit should have applied to all hybrids and all electric. Imports or domestics… the adoption would have been much further ahead. Anyway, our politicians can still make it happen. The climate and storms are a great new motivator.

[@stevemiro731]

I just couldn't justify driving my F150 to work. I was getting 17 mpg hauling around air essentially. I sold it and bought a 2003 Ford Ranger, a dump truck and a Fiat 500 for about half of the cost of the F150. The fiat was just a commuter for me. Eventually, I started running the kids around and then when my wife realized how cheap it was she parked her durango and we all piled into the fiat. Space was tight so we started looking for a larger EV. I hate to say we bought right at the height of the used car price increases a few years ago. We bought a 2017 Bolt for 28K that had 30K miles and the new battery in it. We love it!! We drive it everywhere. We are completely sold on EVs now and will probably upgrade from the bolt to hopefully a Rivian, Lightning, or Silverado. But those are $$$ even in the used market so I will need to wait a few years to make the switch. Thank you for the content, great video!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

I love how you found a way to make EVs work for your family!

[@aaronbounds1336]

There is a whole world of outdoor power equipment for landscaping and lawn care and what not that is 100% electric - and it works great!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

That's what I thought too.

[@davidgordon3744]

My wife wanted a Tesla, and I told her I didn’t think it was a good idea because its range is far more limiting than a gas car. Her car got totaled while parked, so I got her a Chevy volt, to see if she even liked electric. It got 50 miles electric range, and then 40mpg as a gas car if needed. She decided she liked my Highlander more than the volt, so I took the volt and was surprised how often those 50 miles would get me through my day. After a year with it, and research, I got a Tesla and it’s the best car I’ve ever owned. My wife loves the Highlander still, but we may get a second Tesla once this one is paid off. I still have to go to the gas station, but that’s because when she runs out of gas, she takes my Tesla which is charged up and ready to go every day lol.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

It sounds like you've found a good solution for your family!

[@lightningman55]

Duke, Have a Great Christmas and Happy New. I will send some snow!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too! Snow would be great!

[@NeptuneDesign]

I really enjoyed this video

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@cheesun124]

Not idealogical for me, it just rides better, feels better.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for sharing!

[@appleiphone69]

I got an EV 2+ years ago. I’ll never go back. The ability to fuel at home is a game changer. I look at the ICE cars with so many components that need maintenance or repairs.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

That's the beauty of an EV, you can't beat the convenience.

[@dpporlando]

I love it when the oil lovers think they're slamming EVs when they say, "where do you think the electric comes from that powers that EV"! I say it comes from whatever source is producing the electric: solar, wind, Geo, oil, coal, gas, natural gas, etc.... not just oil and gas. And all our home charging is solar.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Excellent! I love it! Thanks for sharing!

[@dianewallace6064]

I bought my Ioniq6 to reduce emissions on my 40-mile daily commute. The bonus is the instant acceleration, and it stops on a dime.

[@davidbergerson]

How ironic. I had a Chevy Volt as well. I had a 2013 White Volt gen 1. Where I live, it was the perfect vehicle. My commute was 22 miles roundtrip. The car had 35 miles of range. I went almost 3 months without seeing a gas station. I liked the TCO (total cost of ownership.) Like others in the comments, I live in SoCal. In 08, gas hit $6 a gallon. Here today, gas is low at $4.15. When I saw that I could reduce my gas cost, then I started to look more at what else would be reduced. 1. My time. You mention the gas station, that is fine, that is a once a week thing for me. But I hated having to schedule an appointment for my car to have an oil change, then drop it off, get a ride home, get a call, get picked up to be brought back to the dealership. That was a huge waste of my time. 2. My costs. I look at transportation as being a cost per mile. Not even a Prius in CA touches the cost per mile of an EV. Yes, my cost calculations include tires, fuel, maintenance, gas, etc. It does NOT include insurance. That is such a variable. 3. My peace of mind. Road tripping is much more relaxed. Sure, we could have done this in an ICE car, but we established a rule of NOT eating in the car. It makes it not smell, stuff does not get spilt, etc. This lets us charge while we eat and we do not notice the charging time at all. I have zero intention of going back. It would have to be a niche vehicle.

[@MartysRandomStuff]

I got an Ioniq 5 last winter, mostly just because I liked the car, man is it fun to drive. I tracked how much I spent on charging it at home for the first 1000 miles, it was about $45. These days the farthest I go from home is about 80 miles, so 270 miles of range means I still haven't used public charging. I went with battery powered yard equipment 8 years ago so now with the EV I have not been to a gas station in 9 months. I started researching EVs about a year before I bought one, got very interested when Chevy announced the Equinox EV, thought I'd be trading in my 2016 Equinox for that, but it got delayed and delayed, and I didn't like some of the stuff they were doing like taking away android auto. I did end up spending more on the I5 than I would have for the Equinox EV but it's a much nicer vehicle.

[@JMaddox]

Thank you for sharing this, as others stated, this was moving. The "why" matters! I remember being motivated by President Bush when he talked about America's addiction to oil and the need for energy independence, but . . . I actually forgot about it. It's humbling to be reminded about the importance of that and the fact that we put our service members in harms way when we fight wars involving oil. Thank you for your service, and thank you for making that important point. As for me, I have two cars, one electric and one ICE. I made the decision to buy electric for environmental reasons. When you look at the data, gas is extremely inefficient compared to electric. There's a lot of energy wasted getting the oil refined, then loading it on a truck and delivering it to a gas station; then putting it into your car and letting it go to waste as you idle in traffic. Even if you use fossil fuels to create the electricity that ends up in your electric car, you save SO MUCH energy just by not wasting it. In my opinion, most people shouldn't drive an ICE car in 2025 and beyond. The majority of Americans do very boring things with their cars: go to work, pick up the kids, drive around their town/city to do errands, come back home. All of these basic use cases can be solved more efficiently with an electric car and there are several good, affordable electric automobiles to choose from. Yes, there are some reasons to keep an ICE car (can't afford to switch yet, ICE makes more sense for specialty vehicles like long haul trucks or garbage trucks, people have a right to own classic ICE cars etc), but most people would do better with an electric car. The environmental effects of ICE ownership will impact future generations; we owe it to them to do better. I think in 5-10 years most Americans will see ICE ownership as unnecessarily wasteful and I'm looking forward to that day. As for my other (ICE) car, I put in an order for the Rivian R2 and I will make the switch when it becomes available. After seeing some of your videos on Rivians, I test drove one (through Turo) and I loved it. Thanks for making this content!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

You are making a great point about the inefficiency of gas cars. I'm glad you enjoyed the Rivian videos and hope you get yours soon!

[@marryellen7713]

Now I had a big laugh. When I hit 5000. I was just about to call the Dealer and ask if they offer first oil change.

[@paul2466]

Awesome content

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks!

[@KAJ1701A]

Thank you for your service to our country. It is really appreciated.. Every one of your reasons stated was why my husband and I will never go back to gas. I’m a car / sport wagon guy. My husband is more into SUVs. My first EV was in 2016 with a Model S I leased. When the lease ended, I bought a Model 3. I got rid of it when Musk showed his true colors. My husband has an EQS SUV; I have my eye on a Taycan in a few years. All the best to you and your family, sir!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for sharing your story! Glad to hear your family is happy with their vehicles.

[@emayhand]

Musk has me torn as well. I’ve wanted to get a Model Y in 2025 but have become quite frustrated with Musk and his BS. I really wish we could have access to the Chinese EV’s as most are still too expensive for me.

[@robertdorris5393]

It costs me about $18 per month now, but I don't drive 42 miles to work. My commute is about 12 miles one way.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

That's a great benefit of a short commute!

[@robertdorris5393]

@thedukeofmiddleville I am supposed to pick up the Cyberbeast today. It's been rescheduled a few times now because I checked a box I shouldn't have on the loan application. I clicked a box to have a check mailed to me for some reason.

[@michelellison9687]

Pretty much to keep us out of the Middle East, which I know will never happen. I hate going to the gas station felt like I was always getting ripped off. My first dipped into EV was 2020 when I purchased a 2016 Cadillac ELR. I thought the world was going to end, so I figured I buy a Cadillac. December 2022 I traded the ELR for a Bolt EUV. I like not having to go to the gas station, even though I have ran into charging issues more likely I won't go back to an ICE vehicle, but look into something better than what I have now in a few years maybe.

[@jonwall22]

Just saw the CR report on realibility on Rivians? Had any issues?

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

No more than any other vehicle I've owned. Also, the same CR report list Rivian as having the highest ower satisfaction of all vehicles. This is why we have two Rivians.

[@jonwall22]

@thedukeofmiddleville Got it. I'm also considering getting a R1S or R2 for the family (First EV). I've had my Camry 09 for over 15 years, but it's time to hang it up this coming year. I've been fully invested in getting an EV since I traded in my stinger. I looked into Telas early on, but for obvious reasons, I'm not investing in that company. Rivian is a start-up company I believe in, and the new VW partnerships put me over the edge. I do like the EV9 and the now ioniq9, so those two could be on the table, too. Keep up the great work. I love watching your videos.

[@jah100100]

Energy independence!!!!!

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

That's right, and I'm not going back!

[@jah100100]

​@@thedukeofmiddlevilletotally understand. We have a R1T LE. One of my main reasons for choosing the vehicle. Prior military as well. "Momma ain't raise no fool" 😁

[@BearKat9]

I'm so glad you mentioned the dependency on oil as a reason for going EV. I had the same reason albeit from a different but similar perspective. I worked for a major oil company for 35 years. My realization to oil being a main reason for many wars is why I went EV. Your story really drives it home and it breaks my heart for the lives lost to oil. And that we are beholden to Saudi Arabia's oligarch class who really control the price of oil is a top reason why I think we should embrace EVs. I will never go back. I have rented ICE vehicles and I hate it. I agree with all your reasoning. I would add for me, air quality. I suffer from asthma and some days I have to avoid going outside due to pollution.

[@glenjones172]

I have an electric lawnmower. And for the most part, I love it. But I don’t have a great big yard. So if you do, I can understand maybe you have a ride on lawnmower. 😊

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

I would love to have a electric mower, but my yard is 5 acres of grass, so I will need a commercial grade electric mower, and a good one is $20k +. I won't see an ROI that. I will just wait until prices come down.

[@binjones]

For me it just made sense. I had been in a Range Rover for many years. I miss the sound of supercharged V8, but I don’t miss the fuel cost, the higher maintenance costs. I know EVs aren’t completely with out mechanical issues but nothing compared. I went Tesla as the infrastructure of Tesla is still unparalleled. I am not looking to go back. Plus I just love driving my Model X. I can easily do 4500 miles in a single month.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

It's great to hear how you're enjoying your new car!

[@tonystorcke]

The cost for batteries is plummeting. The cost to replace will be cheaper than replacing an engine shortly.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thank you!

[@cisco9027]

Subscribed 😊

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks, and Merry Christmas!

[@justifiablyfit]

Same year i went into the army.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thank you for your service!

[@marryellen7713]

All your travels must be with in 10 miles from your house. I made two very long distant trips. I was so unnerved after each. Finding a charging station. I traveled the Illinois Toll Road. Millions of cars every day. A half dozen rest areas with gas pumps. NO "NO" electric charging stations.

[@marryellen7713]

I purchased a 2023 Ford Maverick Mach - E. I charged my car at an EV station. I charged from 13% to 83%. $35.11. I get about 2.5 miles per %. I have been charging at home. All I can say is my bill is much higher.

[@marryellen7713]

I see by the door handles you have a Tesla. Can anyone tell me why Tesla thought is was so great idea NOT to have the "SPEEDOMETER" in front of you vision. You have to take your eyes off the road to see the "SPEEDOMETER".

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

@@marryellen7713 It's a Rivian not a Tesla, and Rivian does have a driver's display.

[@marryellen7713]

My mistake

[@vincentrobinette1507]

My suggestion, is to try to RENT the vehicle you're interested in, for at least a week. That serves as a "no obligation extended test drive", giving you a chance to see all the advantages, and disadvantages of the vehicle, before making a $60,000 mistake! I rented a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV, and I'm spoiled rotten. My next car WILL be an EV. Right now, I'm looking at an extended range Chevrolet Equinox with all-wheel-drive, because I live in Northern Utah on a steep hill, and we get snow. You still need to maintain EV's. Just like a combustion vehicle, you still have reduction gears, and differentials, and they still need fluid changes. (the 4 motor Rivian R1T and R1S do not have differentials) The service interval is only 1/10 as frequent. Gears need service every 50-60,000 miles, not every 5-6,000 miles, like the engines in their combustion counterparts. The car I'm getting has two differentials, two motors. I'm looking for the most efficient all wheel drive EV I can get my hands on, on a budget.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

I think renting is a great idea, it’s always nice to try before you buy!

[@marryellen7713]

Because of the two miserable experiences. I had less than 5000 miles on my Ford Mustang mach - E 2023. I began shopping for a Gas car. I decided to keep my Mustang. They were so noisy accelerating. Every-time you step on the peddle. You hear RRRRRRRRRRRRRR. EV you hear_______________ nothing. Well you now hear the road noise the engine covered up.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for sharing

[@josephsimms8817]

if i had the money i would convert a 1970 cadillac deville two door to a hybrid

[@dpporlando]

Man if your #1 reason for going EV is to avoid a dangerous gas station where you get harassed you might wanna reconsider where you live 😅 just saying. Merry Christmas 🎁⛄ 🌲

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

All gas stations are a target for criminals which is why I charge at home where it's safe, and that is not my number one reason just the first of many reasons. Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@Trillville43]

Sir, invest in an electric lawn mower they're great unless you have a over an acre to cut then it will cost you $$$ for an electric riding mower

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

I have 5 acres of grass $$$$.

[@Trillville43]

@thedukeofmiddleville yeah then Ego Z6 zero turn it's 56v and comes with 40ah of batteries. Only needs 15ah to run and it has two additional slots if you need more run time but those batteries are some of the most expensive I will say.

[@DACoutBack]

I would love to go EV. I'm not going to because, I retired and don't drive very much any more plus, I have no bills and don't want to spend for a new vehicle. If I were still working, I would go EV.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

That is understandable! I hope you are enjoying retirement!

[@gixxerpsycho]

Your 6th reason is why I am going to an EV in the next 120 days.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

Thanks for sharing! What type of EV are you considering?

[@cbrfast]

Where are all the naysayers? You chased them away😂

[@fatboy19831]

Electric lawn Mower.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

That's a $20k mower for my yard.

[@fatboy19831]

@ How many acres?

[@rodafowa1279]

I don't understand how, in 2008, the cost of gas was just so much of a financial burden to you, you had to run off and buy EV's, which were not cheap when they first came out, and still aren't, IMO. Your truck is like $70k minimum, and will have almost no resale value if you actually drive the thing daily for a few years. If you have that kind of money to fork over, I really don't believe the cost of gas was as big an issue as you made it out to be. Also, for me, I don't believe charging would be cheaper than gas. Here in PA, PECO has raised their rates so much in the last few years, it's crazy. My energy bills are routinely over $150/month, and that's for a single person in a small, one-bedroom apartment. Adding the cost of charging an EV to that would be scary to think about, honestly. The only way I'd buy an EV is if I had my own house (with a driveway), in a nice neighborhood, and most of my traveling was short distances. Even then, I'd still have an ICE car for roadtrips. You can tell yourself all you want how sitting at a charger in an area you've never been before for 30+ minutes isn't that big of a deal, but it is. It takes me literally no more than 5 minutes at a gas station to walk to the window, hand the cashier however much cash I need for a full tank, and fill up to full. Oh, and there's no worrying about apps on phones, or whether or not the charger is compatible with your EV, let alone working. Last thing before I forget, right now, we don't have a free-market where ICE cars and EV's go head-to-head on equal footing, despite what people may think. EV's are being subsidized like crazy. Those subsidies will end, at some point or another. EV companies are hoping the market will be so saturated by that point, people won't go back to their ICE cars, because most people don't like putting in extra effort, even if it means saving money. Not only that, the market for used ICE cars is obviously well established, and massively cuts into new car sales. If we're being honest, the percentage of people buying used EV's is tiny when compared to ICE cars. It actually seems like a fair amount of people don't like their EV's. I searched up a used Rivian R1T in my area, and no fewer than 90% of those available have less than 10k miles on them. On the flipside, I searched for used Ford-150's in my area. It was extremely rare to come across one with lower than 30k miles, and I frequently saw 100k+ miles.

[@thedukeofmiddleville]

I'm not sure how think gas savings was the reason I switched to electric after watching this video.

[@rodafowa1279]

@@thedukeofmiddleville Top left of the screen at 8:04 literally says, "Cheaper To Fuel." Not even 5 seconds later, you go on to mention the gas prices in 2008. Honestly, come on, man.

[@chinesenerd]

oh man, I forgot to charge my EV. now I have to stop and wait 20-30 to charge up, instead 2-5 mins to fill up.

[@robertdorris5393]

Dumb comment! Oh no, I forgot to charge my phone, now I have to stop by a Starbucks and wait 20-30 minutes instead of stopping and spending 2-3 minutes to put gas in it!