We've been driving a non
We've been driving a non-Tesla, 100% BEV for many years. We love our EV but to be 100% honest road trips can at times be a real pain. We have a few friends and know several others with Teslas and they are as annoyingly happy as people with a Apple Mac addiction. So, we consider getting a Tesla almost weekly based on range alone.
While it would also be wonderful to have access to all the charging infrastructure options driving a Tesla would afford, the insurance rates are prohibitive to the point of seeming punitive. When we got our EV WAAY back in 2011 our insurance actually went down from the ICE vehicle we were driving. Over the years insurance rates have climbed, but are still in line with what our family members pay for their ICE vehicles. Our friends who drive Teslas tell us their insurance costs are outrageous.
Maintenance for our EV has always been very cheap and almost unnecessary as everything 'just works'. While none of the Tesla drivers we know has had any major maintenance expense, many have had minor annoyances of one kind or another. Most were in warranty issues, but the time and effort inconvenience for service itself has a cost. A nickle here and a dime there add up.
Do I still want a Tesla and would I buy one knowing all that I do? Damn skippy! In a heartbeat. But I'm still hesitant for one reason: Volkswagen. The only vehicle we've ever loved almost as much as our EV is the Jetta that served us so well for years. The fact that Tesla owners are choosing a Prius over another Tesla speaks volumes to consumers like me. Hopefully Tesla will take notice.