By Robert Bradley Jr.
“The American people have been very clear; they do not want EVs forced upon them. This proposal aims to return EPA regulations to reality, restoring consumer choice, protecting good paying American jobs, and strengthening the nation’s global competitiveness while the agency works to reconsider the Tier 4 standards.” – EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin. Quoted in E&E News, May 15, 2026.
For well over a century, Henry Ford and Ford Motor Company have considered, tried, and failed with electric vehicles (EVs) versus the internal combustion engine (ICE). In 1896, in fact, Thomas Edison himself advised Henry Ford to go ICE and gasoline/diesel.
Fast forward to 125 years later: Ford has announced a major pullback from EVs, costing the company $35 billion (and counting) in losses and write-downs. Of course, Ford has to reorganize and keep the EV option on the table for public relations purposes (“greenwashing”?). In “Ford’s EV Guru to Step Down,” Wall Street Journal (April 16, 2026), Sharon Terlep reports (quotations follow):
“[Doug] Field, lured by Ford Motor from Apple five years ago to bring the 120-year-old automaker into the digital and electric age, is leaving the company amid a wider reorganization. Field has been leading a secretive effort to develop a line of affordable, high-tech electric vehicles and is the latest high-profile Silicon Valley transplant to exit from a Detroit automaker.”
“Field’s lieutenant and fellow Tesla alum, Alan Clarke, will continue to oversee a new EV platform developed by a “skunk works” team based in California. Ford has said the vehicles on that platform, starting with a $30,000 electric pickup set to launch next year, will compete with Chinese EVs that aren’t yet available in the U.S. but are gobbling up market share around the globe.”
“Ford, like many rivals, has struggled to transform itself into an electrified, software driven automaker to compete with the likes of Tesla and Chinese automakers. Ford’s initial EV offerings have proved to be chronically unprofitable. The automaker recorded $19.5 billion in write-downs last year to pivot back to more profitable gasoline vehicles.
“The automaker also canceled several other next-generation products and plans in recent years, including an electric three-row SUV.”
“Moreover, as Ford seeks to accelerate technologies seen as key to the auto industry’s future, including EVs, hybrids and software updates, it has struggled with quality issues and costly recalls. In 2025, Ford issued more U.S. recalls than any other auto maker, affecting nearly 13 million million vehicles.”
“Felony stupid,” remarked energy commentator Robert Bryce.
Another Look Back
A New York Times article Electric Cars Were a Big Deal at the Turn of the Century. The Last Century (May 1, 2026) remarked how what is new is really old with EVs.
At the dawn of the 20th century, electric vehicles were the stars of American roads. Then they vanished. Then they came back. Then they vanished again.
Just maybe there is something inferior about a technology that consumers have rejected time and again. Maybe the market picks winners, leaving government with the losers. EVs are just an example.
I still think they could salvage the lightning by turning it into a diesel electric hybrid like a locomotive. A small diesel optimized to run at constant speed and a small battery to handle intermittent power demands. Huge torque and towing capacity as well as the ability to provide on-site power; all with a diesel genset optimized for fuel efficiency.
This is exactly what I envisioned when I first heard of a hybrid being developed. I was sorely disappointed by what actually was sent to market.
I’ve goy two Hybrids from the early days – 1. 2009 Ford Escape Ltd. Hybrid. It returns 35 mpg around town and about 40 on the highway with a light foot. 2. 2012 Chevrolet Volt – first full market plug in series hybrid. It returns 30 to 40 miles of all electric range (which covers most of my daily driving) then a full charge overnight and you are on the way to another non gasoline day of driving. On a road trip down the Oregon coast and back it returned about 50 mpg running nearly completely on the 1.4 gasoline engine.
I’m completely impressed – especially since the tech I am driving is “ancient” compared to what is available today.
I am a true Hybrid convert.
Nothing good ever comes from a government that says “you can choose A, B or C”
A) Government approved EV “A”
B) Government approved EV “A”
C) Government approved EV “A”
And no other choices available
It was really very simple. Take away the $7500 EV credit, and boom the EVs are gone.
In the US they will not be back for at least 10 to 15 years.
Electric golf carts will never be gone. 🙂
Diesel electric trains prove this.
In WWII, the first Diesel electric tanks (Tiger 1, Germany) were introduced. A battery fire caused the decision to go with the full Diesel version.
I actually sketched out a similar concept over 40 years ago. I think the battery needs to be only as big as it would take to accelerate to 50 miles an hour or so. My Toyota sienna van of a few years ago would get 25 miles to the Gallon at 75 miles an hour. That is approximately 42 hp, as I calculate it. I figured a 66 hp turbo diesel, maybe three cylinders, would do the job of generation. I didn’t try to figure the size of the electric motor generators.
If the US wants to isolate itself from the world we should just let them.
Making sure their industry won’t survive the 21st century.
Hope americans like higher gas prices with lower fuel economy standards. Make sure to give your leading class every last penny.
But I notice you keep using FF every day, how can you live with yourself? I could never be such a hypocrite.
The price of gasoline in Colorado is down about $1/gallon in the past couple of weeks.
https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=CO
That about does a lot of work here.
Dr Oz has five words for you….
😉
Oil and gas production is SURGING around the world.
Prices will soon drop.
EV’s remain a total non-starter for anything but a local shopping cart / 3rd car. !
Spoken by someone who has never driven one and/or doesn’t have a place to charge it.
Because
Bear in mind that many of those EV sales in China are EBikes and Escooters which flambe at a rate of over 42,000 per year
Chinese sales of electric cars in 2025 were 16.5 million. Of course, this means that electric car sales outside China were very low indeed as a percentage of total car sales.
According to here
That’s bikes alone, so no, the 20M EVs sold in 2025 doesn’t include eBikes and eScooters.
Shhh, the Chinese Propagandists might hear you and relocate you like all the other Uyghur’s
China requires this in their larger cities to get a license. They don’t have access to the amount of refining capacity needed to support gasoline vehicles for those that want transportation. Any global data you present is skewed by sales in China.
The world has 1.6 billion vehicles. 20 million is small. Nothing to extol about at the moment.
Thank your Bryan, for “the rest of the story”. Tim the tool man, you can buy an EV. Nobody cares one way or another but the rest of us don’t want to have our choices limited by government.
I don’t want government limiting choices either.
But on the other hand it’s government’s responsibility to set policy for long term goals and removing the reliance on oil is a necessary evil because it’s running out and supply stability issues play out globally.
I have no problem with policy that reduces or defers tax people pay as an incentive. I do have a problem with policy that involves giving taxpayer money away. There’s a big difference.
not just EVs but hybrids now as well “Fire engulfs 33 hybrid cars at docks compound” “Hampshire Fire and Rescue said 10 fire engines were in attendance, along with two water carriers, an aerial ladder platform and support vehicles.” No injuries fortunately.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c392gxk1x82o
Meanwhile in the real world over 80 million ICVs were sold globally in 2025 along with 3 million Diesel Trucks and 250,000 busses
I have driven one, and I have three phase in my garage.
Want to go any distance, or tow anything.. you need a diesel or big petrol engine.
Most EVs are used as glorified shopping carts, local area only.
China is using them to replace two-stroke bike transport, but they are all still powered by hydrocarbon fuel.. ie coal.
Furthermore, Chinese EVs make up the bulk of those cars, and are basically just a throw-away item…. that can’t be just thrown away because of the danger of older batteries exploding.
Going to be a big mess in 5-10 years time (or earlier) !!
And that is not to mention the massive FAKERY associated with car sales in China.
Redge explained this a couple of weeks ago but I can’t find the post, so the below is from saved comment.
Thanks, Bnice, I was about to post the same thing – link
What did you drive? And what did you think?
Because unless you have a solid requirement for frequent long range driving, EVs are just better cars. Yes, they dont suit some people’s needs today but realistically those people are rare.
Why the massive needs for subsidies then?
There are none where I live.
That is good for you. May I ask where this is the case?
Australia.
That’s strange. According to this link, there are numerous subsidies and incentives available for electric cars in Australia.
https://www.racv.com.au/royalauto/transport/electric-vehicles/electric-car-discounts-government-incentives-australia.html
Did you even look at that page? For example, follow through to my State of Tasmania and it says
For Victoria we have
A small registration benefit may still exist but there used to be a per km penalty. Its hardly a strong incentive.
For NSW we have
etc.
ROFL no in Australia everyone buys hybrids and then over 90% never run only electric and most of the best sellers can’t they are “self-charging hybrids,” (Toyota RAV4, Camry, and Corolla hybrids).
They still get classed as hybrids and in the EV numbers but they burn FF to run … irony hey 🙂
Of the top 10 “EV” cars selling in 2026 I think only two are fully electric being BYD Shark 6 & Sealion 6.
BYD is the second top selling brand after Toyota.
Half the range is fully electric including the Atto1, 2 and 3. The Dolphin, Seal and Sealion 7.
Where I live in the UK there are massive transfers of taxpayers cash to people who can afford to buy a new EV.
Regardless of the merits or not of EVs, why should those of us who don’t want an EV, can’t afford an EV (or ICE for that matter), and have no where to plug one in, subsidise those you do want an EV, can afford and EV, and have somewhere to plug it in?
That’s only true if you consider the price subsidy to be the only subsidy.
You also have to include the CAFE subsidy, where automakers subsidize the price of EVs so that they can meet the government mandated fleet economy requirements.
You also have to include the freebies that EV drivers get while on the road such as being allowed to use the multi-occupant lane even when alone, or not being charged for using toll roads.
Mate has a company Tesla…
…. which he uses for a 50km commute. !
He also has his own large diesel 4×4. Dual cab ute, that can tow his large caravan with ease.
Yes, Tesla fun to drive, except not loud enough (I’m used to big V8s)
No character. ! Certainly wouldn’t buy one myself.
Caravans (and boats) are a use case for ICE but it sounds like he’s getting plenty of use out of the Tesla and 50kms is nowhere near enough to give him range anxiety. Does he have full self driving?
Which means that even with all the incentives and subsidies during the past 25 years, they’re still being outsold by ICEVs better than 2-to-1.
20 million, twice nothing is still nothing.
What happens when the subsidies and mandates run out?
The vast majority of people who buy EVs do so because the government forces them to.
Or incentivize. In Norway the carrot AND the stick is used, and as a result people drive around in their teslas.
If you engage in conversation with them, they all readily admit it is all about the perks and not about saving the planet. ALL. OF. THEM.
They were still only 25% of cars sold worldwide and whilst they represented 55% of sales in China in the US they remained at just under 10%
In the first quarter of 2026 global sales were down 8%.
IEA ‘Global EV Outlook 2026’ (May 2026)
“Only” 25%?
The undeniable fact is that sales of EVs are continuing to climb. Especially since their prices are dropping and people understand how fragile the oil supply actually is.
ICE advocates ought to be happy about it as it’s reducing demand for oil and consequently keeping prices lower.
Prices are currently suppressed because countries use their reserves. We’ll see another huge hike in a few weeks when stocks are running low.
“I really don’t care. I couldn’t care less,” – a bored just-stop-oil trump
In other words, Trump is not going to allow political pressure to keep him from preventing Iranian religious fanatics from acquiring nuclear weapons.
He cares more about that than he does about temporarily inflated gasoline prices.
I’m so glad he does. That is the only rational position to take. Thank God we have a rational president.
UAE will have it’s upgraded pipeline running by years end and it will all be a blip in the radar
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/new-uae-pipeline-bypassing-hormuz-now-50-complete-adnoc-ceo-says-2026-05-20/
Iran attacks that and I suspect it will be bombed into something like Gaza.
If Europe (i.e. “the rest of the world”) wants to drive off an economic cliff by investing in retardables and electric golf carts, then maybe the sane world should let them. Ta-ta, nice knowin’ ya.
Funny how socialists actually believe that this time socialism is going to work.
If the World wants to Buy Crap, let them!
Socialists have always been convinced that they are the future.
Regardless of how many times they fail.
”
Average annual driving distances per vehicle globally compare as follows:
United States: ~13,500 miles (21,700 km)
Netherlands: ~18,500 miles (29,800 km)Spain: ~18,000 miles (29,000 km)
Canada: ~9,500 miles (15,300 km)
Australia: ~8,500 miles (13,700 km)
France: ~7,400 to 14,700 miles (12,000 to 23,700 km depending on source)
“
One of the reasons for the failure of EVs to gain a decent North American foothold is that neither governments nor manufacturers ever conducted comprehensive-enough surveys to determine whether consumers really considered them to be viable transportation options in the first place. Then when they came on the market and their shortcomings became apparent, mainly only the virtue-signalers bought them and stuck with them. Besides being overpriced, EVs have been plagued by limited recharging infrastructure, inconsistent cruising ranges, extreme-weather unreliability, high parts-replacement costs, and low resale values, When these became more apparent, fewer consumers were willing to take a chance on them and many actual owners returned to ICE types for future cars. So it has turned out that a combination of government and environmental alarmism and manufacturer overpricing an unproven product that has continued to suppress sales, in North America at least.
You are witnessing what happens when the government interferes with the market. It is not good news.
Exactly.
EPA CAFE standards have degraded durability of ICE engines also.
Interesting take on why we are seeing more engine failures.
End all CAFE laws. End ALL NTSB laws. End the NTSB. End the EPA. End all the IMPORT bans. Let ME CHOOSE which care I WANT to BUY (five of the $3000 Honda K-Truck from Japan, instead of the $100,000 crap DODGE)
I’m not too keen on auto stop-start and driver monitoring technology either. I mostly purchase new cars but possibly not in the future.
I would not have an auto-start car.
I pulled up next to one at a stop light the other day. The light turned green, I accelerated, and as I did so, I heard the car’s engine next to me start up. I guess the engine doesn’t start until you push on the accelerator.
This would not work very well at the drag strip. Unless both cars were auto-start.
I hear auto-start is universally disliked, and I can see why.
Climate Alarmists think this will save the planet from CO2.
Climate Alarmists are not very smart.
I loathe auto stop.
I’ve had several problems with auto-stop. One common example is in traffic when I come to a VERY brief stop (maybe 1 second or less) it shuts off, while I’m already in motion moving my foot back to the accelerator. So now, I’m giving it gas when it starts, and the car surges forward. That one happens far too often.
And then there’s the times it stops on an incline, then when I try to go it rolls back and stalls when it tries to start.
Wish I knew how to disable it.
Found this on DuckDuckGo;
For a permanent solution, Amazon has some options:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=auto+start%2Fstop+disabler&adgrpid=1333710120992115&hvadid=83357158501885&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=81343&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83358042346567%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=5738_13190822&mcid=c4863a9adeb639c39c96a61c35dabef2&msclkid=92bcac3b05541bed3539c61b4812ec3b&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_8hykaxmj8n_e
To disable for a single trip:
You can disable auto start-stop temporarily by pressing the dedicated button marked with a circular arrow and the letter “A” in most vehicles, or by using the vehicle’s SYNC touchscreen for Ford models. For a permanent solution, consider installing a plug-and-play bypass module.https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/www.weldcountygarage.com.ico weldcountygarage.comhttps://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/www.ford.com.ico ford.com
How to Disable Auto Start-StopTemporary DisablingMost vehicles equipped with auto start-stop technology allow for temporary disabling through a dedicated button. Here’s how to do it:
Permanent DisablingFor a more permanent solution, you can install a plug-and-play bypass module. This module connects to your vehicle’s wiring and remembers your preference, preventing the auto start-stop feature from resetting each time you restart the engine.
Vehicle-Specific InstructionsVehicle TypeTemporary Disable MethodPermanent SolutionGMC & ChevroletPress the “A” button on the dashboardInstall a plug-and-play bypass moduleFordUse the SYNC touchscreen to disableInstall a plug-and-play bypass moduleJeep & RamPress the “A” buttonInstall a plug-and-play bypass moduleToyotaNo factory disable button for older models; use a bypass moduleInstall a plug-and-play bypass module
Considerations
By following these steps, you can manage the auto start-stop feature according to your preferences.
Thank you MarkW!
I have the (A) button on one car, but the other has no way to disable it even for a little while.
I’ll look into the info you provided – very much appreciated!
It’s even worse than I thought!
The auto-stop can actually be dangerous!
Good luck!
And how does one deal with that with a manual transmission?
I’m old. I hope to never own an automatic transmission vehicle.
Not so sure about the NTSB, itself.
“13 million million vehicles.”
(just above “Another look back” heading)
That is an awful lot of vehicles… I assume it is a typo. !
It’s real. “Ford Motor Company issued the most recalls ever in 2025, and so far in 2026, the company has already recalled 9.8 million vehicles.”
I remember when Ford was called Fix Or Repair Daily. Seems to be the case now.
It says “13 million million” … that was the typo I was pointing out.
My Dad-a truly gifted mechanic-used to say about fords..Found On Road Dead. We owned exactly one, and my Dad had to run outside the block oil feeds to keep it going and not seizing.
Reminds me of the old saying about Fiat: fix it again Tony!
My F.O.R.D. Hybrid Escape now has over 224,000 miles on the odo and runs like a watch. Same with my Chrysler with over 290,000 mi….
I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Ford Escape.
First On Race Day says the Ford owner. 😉
FORD = Fix Or Repair Daily was big back in the day. 🙂
General Motors is promoting their new Bolt EV, claiming it can charge “two and a half times faster”.
It doesn’t say what it is faster than, or how this reduction in charging time takes place.
Not enough information.
Or how far it will go on a cold day with the heater on. !
The biggest heater is the one that tries to keep the battery warm.
They do say what they are comparing: Charge time: 2.5x faster charging with 150 kW+ public DC Fast Charging vs lower wattage home charging, of course.
My Volt takes 9+ hours of 120 volt slow charging – but I don’t care. I’m home busy or sleeping and it’s ready to go when I want to drive it. About $1.00 electric charge. Love Hydroelectric generation here in the Pacific NW. (Tacoma Power)
They don’t say what they are comparing it to in their tv commercial.
I assumed they were using a more powerful charging method, as I doubt they have made any advances in the battery technology.
So I guess if you don’t use a specific charger, you don’t get the “two and a half times faster” charging. I assume a public charger costs more than charging at home.
So pay more and get faster charging. The commercial did not mention that.
To reduce power requirements they would either have to make the motor more efficient, or the car lighter.
Early electric vehicles were a good option prior to the invention of the battery electric starter. Charles Kettering is credited with this at the urging of coworker Edward Deeds. Early cars required hand-cranking, an inconvience and sometimes dangerous.
The Peril of the Hand Crank:
oardefault.jpg (720×720)
My engineer uncle built his own, personal electric car back in the 1950’s. He used lead-acid batteries.
In the U.K. at that time it was milk floats that were battery operated, and moved at around 10-15 mph.
Here’s what I want to know, how does that f’n idiot Jim Farley still have a job??
I think Ford will only ditch this EV nonsense for good when the company goes bankrupt.
EV’s were a failure when the came out over a 100 years ago and nothing fundamentally has changed.
Maybe when they find out how to build a solid state battery out of unobtanium and all electrical wiring consists of supra conductive material that works at room temperature.
Short said: NEVER….get this in your head you unicorn riding ecotards.
Still fun to see how idiots keep on tripping over the same stone, not so funny that we all have to pay for this mega bullshit (MBS).
EVs are a good option for many shorter (time and distance)
commutes or errands….with following conditions, since mandated and subsidized heavily in past years.
Unsubsidized, by all government, administrative, and indirect regulations from CO2 hypothetical crises and more.
Price difference is disclosed for similar or same ICE vehicle.
Economic depreciation history of same or similar vehicle.
Marketing and vendors fully discloses replacement battery costs, insurance estimates, and milage and drive times left in battery at various temperatures or driving conditions.
Insurance costs and coverages disclosed for EV vehicle compared to ICE vehicles.
Recent resale prices for same EV vehicle compared to ICE vehicle.
Fire risk of lithium based batteries compared to ICE vehicles.
If buyer concerned about CO2 or other proclaimed crises, provide materials showing CO2 impact to global warming of USA EVs, including all mining, shipping, manufacturing emissions and effects (measured) over comparative lifetime of vehicle compared to ICE vehicles.
But, other than above, wish I could get one cheap, especially one of the luxury versions. (You know just for the 5000 miles per year driven to the club.)
Drive on free choice.
I wouldn’t own an EV if they gave it to me, and I am actually capable of fixing one. My favorite is a 53 ford. It has only 8 wires on the engine and only 4 fuses in the fuse box. It is a sweet little car that is 5 years older than me.
The Good Old Days! 🙂
I spent my working life troubleshooting and repairing just about everything electrical and mechanical. So I like that the 53 is so simple, If it ever has an issue, I won’t even have to wake up to figure out what is wrong with it. 🙋♂️ 😊
“and software updates”
How about cars that don’t need software?
Or at least ones where everything isn’t automatic, touch screens, etc. I’m not piloting a starship!
Electronic displays take up less space and weigh less than the mechanical versions.
That’s why they are used in all of the new spacecraft.
Even the shuttle was switching over before the fleet was retired.
I have seen that at work. I was working on replacing a 12,000 Hp 13.8KV sync motor starter and they wanted to use a soft start for the field application. My boss was old school and wanted a quote with a contactor instead of the soft start. Well the contactor would have cost 5 times more than the soft start electronics not including the cost of the 55 Kw at 90 volt solid state field power supply for the contactor. The engineers comment was SCR’s are much cheaper than silver contacts and he was right also no need to inspect for PM’s as the soft start was not subject to wear.
My neighbor down the road bought a new 2024 Ford F-150 which uses a display screen. The screen has been replaced twice in the last two years under warranty. Had he been forced to replace the screen out of warranty on his own dime, it would have cost $3,000 a pop.
I was strictly against EV so far, but recently I’m inclining that my next primary car will be EV. I have home Photovoltaic system with 23kWh battery already and thing is, that half year I don’t know what to do with electric energy. I have small hot spa, where I keep 38C water, and I’m heating my summer pool. Of course my all AC during summer is running from PV and battery. Still I’m able to consume only around 25kWh per day, but my PV is able to provide around 45kWh per day. So I have spare 20kWh daily to charge EV car.
I checked what is available on market recently and for example:
https://www.skoda.co.uk/new-cars/epiq/epiq-range
Skoda Epiq has 0-100km/h in 7,1s, can tow up to 1200kg, has 51,7kWh battery giving range of 300-400km and 80% charging in 25 minutes.
I think I can live with such car. I commute 100km daily, 2 days a week. That is around 40kWh. Rest of the week I can slowly charge from solar. For longer trips, to charge 300km in 25 minutes is quite acceptable.
I’m tired all the regular oil changes on my old cars, transmission oil changes, engine filters, etc.
And I’m quite fond of quiet electric power.
I’m currently paying around 3000Eur yearly for fuel, we have 3 cars in family and with switching my primary family car to this I can effectively save around 150E monthly during summer and around 110E during winter charging from grid. Making it 1660E savings yearly. Difference in cost between ICE car and EV is around 8000Eur, so this will pay for itself in 4,8 year, earlier than 5 year guarantee expires.
As a child, our neighbor had an electric Maxwell car. I remember my dad several times being called to tow that Maxwell home because it died somewhere.
In redoing my kitchen some years ago, I found a newspaper in the wall as insulation with an ad for Baker Electrics, which apparently were popular in Cleveland around 1910.
Darn. Try this:
I have a 90 mile round trip commute.
I have to drive it in winter, too.
I am too old to move, just no heart in the idea of relocating and starting anew.
I do not wish to risk my house to a car fire, so I would not charge in the driveway.
In winter, there is no safe means to charge the cold battery.
In winter, the battery depletes to keep the battery heater going
I do not want to be stuck on the side of the road in the freezing cold.
I have worked with just about every battery chemistry known.
I seriously doubt anything used in EVs or battery farms or the like go through the kinds of qualification and acceptance tests and analysis of anything put on a rocket (launch vehicle or payload).
I have been directly involved in 4 battery incidents, 2 of which were personal.
I still have a scar on my leg from one.
There is no way I would even consider an EV.
Period.
I know too much.
My internal combustion vehicle is 11 years old.
I’ll just take care of it.
I’m with you. Batteries are the scariest electrical devices I worked with. They have one character flaw that makes them extremely dangerous. They cannot be shut off. Not so worrisome at 1.5 volts but very serious at 340 volts in a backup power supply capable of a couple of hundred amps.