The future is bleak for car companies. Wealth stratification means the upper quartile that used to buy Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Acura & Audis has shrank to the upper 10%, reducing the pool of buyers that upmarket car makers target.
Meanwhile, the remaining 90% are getting poorer as time goes on, meaning they won't be buying new cars as often (or at all), and they will spend less.
With that in mind, its no wonder the low end of the eBike market is growing. A 52v, 14ah battery (about 8 miles of range without pedaling in hilly Seattle) is $400, and you can build a fine eBike for about $800, less if you buy a used frame & motor/controller.
Said $800 eBike will survive much longer than a $750 car, and with fewer hidden costs (regular maintenance, fuel, tabs, tickets, impound fees, etc). If your poor in suburbia, your no longer stuck with the choice of a sketchy car or an unreliable bus (that provides lifeline, hourly service) and you can make it to your local commuter train/BRT in dedicated lanes in minutes, bypassing traffic and parking issues at park & rides.
Meanwhile, the remaining 90% are getting poorer as time goes on, meaning they won't be buying new cars as often (or at all), and they will spend less.
With that in mind, its no wonder the low end of the eBike market is growing. A 52v, 14ah battery (about 8 miles of range without pedaling in hilly Seattle) is $400, and you can build a fine eBike for about $800, less if you buy a used frame & motor/controller.
Said $800 eBike will survive much longer than a $750 car, and with fewer hidden costs (regular maintenance, fuel, tabs, tickets, impound fees, etc). If your poor in suburbia, your no longer stuck with the choice of a sketchy car or an unreliable bus (that provides lifeline, hourly service) and you can make it to your local commuter train/BRT in dedicated lanes in minutes, bypassing traffic and parking issues at park & rides.