Why Don't EVs Come With Spare Tires?
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E [email protected] shared this topic
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most new cars dont, its wild
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Do they come with runflats? I dunno what's common anymore.
My 2013 Volvo doesn't have a spare, but it makes use of runflats instead, and that was considered a luxury back then.
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Lots of new cars just give you a bottle of fix-a-flat and a "fuck you"
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There a number of arguments as to why this is the case and the article touches on these:
- One could make an argument that most drivers don't use their spare (or don't know how) and would call for roadside service anyway.
- Another argument is that the extra weight of the spare has to be hauled around for months or years before it gets used, if ever, and fuel is used for that extra weight costing the owner and increasing carbon emissions.
- More pragmatically the most likely answer is the auto makers found out they could simply stop giving out spare tires and it doesn't cost them any customers, and increases the auto maker's profits. Some will even sell you a spare tire at an extra fee meaning even more revenue.
My guess is of all these reasons, the third answer, cash grab is the real answer. The author gives us one sentence, but agrees with me.
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Another argument is that the extra weight of the spare has to be hauled around for months or years before it gets used, if ever, and fuel is used for that extra weight costing the owner and increasing carbon emissions.
For me this makes sense, driving for 20 years and not used a spare tire once, hyundai also offers 24x7 road assist
touch wood!
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I don't believe you've never had a flat in 20 years. I get a flat every three or four years.
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They didn't say they never had a flat. They said they never used the spare. For many, calling roadside assistance is the solution to a flat tire. @[email protected] it sounds like that has been a workable solution.
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wtf is roadside assistance?
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This is probably regional/country term. In the USA it means calling for a technician to drive a vehicle to your location and service the flat tire (or provide a replacement) at the roadside when you find you have a flat. What would the term be for that in your region?
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I'm in the US, and it's not something I've heard of. Is it available for everybody, or do you have to pay extra for it?
Maybe this is just another poverty thing because I only drive beaters and have the absolute cheapest insurance.
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I'd say it comes in three different forms:
- Manufacture provided - As poster irk pointed out, they have a Hyundai and as part of the purchase it includes this service. I believe Tesla provides it for free during the warranty period. Ford gives it for free for 12 months from purchase. etc
- Auto club/subscription - This would be like AAA (or CAA in Canada). You pay an annual fee and get the service
- Car insurance provided - Lots of auto insurance companies include this in their policies or offer it for a substantial discount. Some auto companies operate their own fleet of roadside assistance vehicles (I think I've see Progressive trucks do this at one point). Other auto insurance companies will contract with a fleet management company. They'll give you a number to call and a technician will be dispatched to your location and the insurance company takes care of the bill. This is what I had at one point and I think it costs me something like $20/year.
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Okay, so none of those options are available to me. The only option my insurance offers is that they'll come by and change your tire, but only if you already have a spare available.
I'm out in a farming/mining area, and the debris on the roads always chews up the tires badly enough that a plug kit won't work. I just get the tires resurfaced with new treads when they get worn out badly enough.
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never had a flat
tbf i only drive around 10km a day but the last time was when i was a kid back in 1995
maybe have just been lucky
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Maybe that's it. I've got a 40km commute each day.
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I dont think its that unreasonable. A flat tire happens so rarely, and for most people, they can just call a tow truck. For most, I dont think its worth carting a tire and wheel around for potentially zero use over the life of the car.
Some people definitely need spares, but realistically, most dont.
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Thr last time I shopped for a car, I eliminated two vehicles from selection because of this. I won't have a car that doesnt offer a spare.
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My commute has always been at least 20 miles, and I've had 1 flat tire in 10 years. That one was a nail I ran over in a construction site, which tbh is to be expected.
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Ya. Emergencies are rare so why bother being prepared.
Calling a tow truck isn’t a solution.
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What the hell are you doing that results in a flat every few years? This is NOT normal.
