https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/04/business/electric-vehicles-gm-tesla.html

Repair market: 

QuoteThe biggest challenge is the recruitment of technicians with specific skill sets."

He continued: "It will be less about 'Oh, I love to take things apart and put them back together.' It'll be more about your understanding of code and computer systems."

Anecdotally, the number independent auto repair shops seem to have decreased and some now mostly do oil changes, bulb replacement, and brake work. The number of DIY shade-tree mechanics working on their new vehicles is waaaay down, too.   I don't remember it mentioning it is this article, but body shops (and insurance) have already been impacted by Tesla and will be further squeezed by more EV platforms entering the market.

What was buried in yet another article regarding GM's switch to EVs is that they are planning to sell direct -like Tesla, circumventing the existing dealership network.   That's a tectonic shift.

A friend in Norway says thats exactly what is happening NOW over there.

Also lots of oil money in Stavanger, so loads of Teslas, as they get  free tolls and sometimes free parking, so everyone is buying them.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2019/06/18/electric-cars-why-little-norway-leads-the-world-in-ev-usage/?sh=d3a9c9713e35

>Norway

Yes, Norway was consistently one of Tesla's best markets.  IIRC, one or more of the Scan countries reduced their huge vehicle excise tax for EVs.  With a good market reach and -now- a couple of years behind them to build a base, I'd bet the secondary merchandise & maintenance market has been significantly impacted there. They are just ahead of the curve.

<+>
>Dealerships

Dealerships have an out-sized lobbying & legislative position in the US -particularly with the state legislatures.  Some states still have outmoded laws that make it illegal to sell vehicles direct. (I believe my state is one of them.)  Tesla has been able to get those laws removed in some states, but dealerships are still a formidable political force.

If they have gone in some states, imho they will eventually go in all, OR the price will be higher.

I know nothing about the political forces in the US, honestly don't really understand it, although the last couple of months has been informative Just I think markets are more powerful.

I know of Teslas here in NC, but they had to buy it out of state.  At first, there were Tesla maintenance centers within the state (urban areas, hours away) but I don't know if that has changed or expanded.  But, to be fair, the closest Mercedes Benz dealership is slightly over an hour away ---and MBs have a helluva required maintenance schedule.

>the US, honestly don't really understand it

That makes two of us.

"Instead of selling cars through franchised dealers, emerging auto manufacturers want to sell electric vehicles direct to consumers, either online or in their own stores.

But that's illegal in more than half the states in America"


Cutting out the middleman on electric car sales - Axios
https://www.axios.com/electric-car-manufacturer-direct-sales-baeabf32-99f8-43be-bb65-1fae6937d8ad.html

>>honestly don't really understand it

I think the rule of thumb, whether talking about conservatives or liberals, companies or individuals, lobbyists or activists: everyone loves the free market until it affects them personally.

In another post, I've mentioned that ev's exotic frame and body panel materials are not going to be repaired by Bubba's Ye Olde Body Shoppe.  Here's a good look at a cast aluminum frame section of a Tesla;

Skookum robot removing Tesla casting from skookum press
https://old.reddit.com/r/Skookum/comments/w8wyic/skookum_robot_removing_tesla_casting_from_skookum/

Nothing in the future "buffs right out"

>>They'll be about to buff this out no problem

One of my all-time favorite movie lines...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vjAXB3G4Ys

If you don't know the movie, watch the prelude first

https://youtu.be/_akwHYMdbsM

<warp>

EVs Are The Yugo Of The 21st Century – Issues & Insights

https://issuesinsights.com/2023/03/28/evs-are-the-yugo-of-the-21st-century/


Why are insurance companies totaling low-mileage EVs that have been in a fender bender? For the same reason you could total a new Yugo when backing out of a parking spot. The cost of repair is exorbitant.

Scratched EV battery? Your insurer may have to junk the whole car | Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/scratched-ev-battery-your-insurer-may-have-junk-whole-car-2023-03-20/

Texas-built Model Y, whose new structural battery pack has been described by experts as having "zero repairability."

You are just feeding my confirmation bias at this point. I spent a lot of time talking myself into an EV, but now I've pretty much talked myself out as a single vehicle.

I just talked to a friend with a VW Golf EV as their one car and his comment was, "It works well for our lifestyle, but at this point, I really can't tell friends they should go out and buy an electric vehicle."