this post was submitted on 14 Feb 2025
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Electric Vehicles

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Electric Vehicles are a key part of our tomorrow and how we get there. If we can get all the fossil fuel vehicles off our roads, out of our seas and out of our skies, we'll have a much better environment. This community is where we discuss the various different vehicles and news stories regarding electric transportation.

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 week ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

I'd say it comes in three different forms:

  • Manufacturer 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.

Maybe this is just another poverty thing because I only drive beaters and have the absolute cheapest insurance.

Until a few years ago, I always changed and maintained my own tires. A $10 tire plug kit saved me hundreds of dollars over replacing tires whenever I had a flat.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

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.