What will fail first, petrol imports or electric grids? I know this is a complicated question, but…trying to decide what kind of car I should buy (if I can) that might still have value if international trade goes to hell
Replies
Solar panels (& or a wind generator) & an EV’s battery gives you a degree of energy independence regardless of which fails. V2H means the car can power your home. If you don’t need a lot of range at e-Golf might be the ticket. Or at e-bike.
aug 26, 2025, 5:34 am • 1 0 • view
I was looking at an e-Up actually!
aug 26, 2025, 6:50 am • 1 0 • view
Maybe a hybrid?
aug 25, 2025, 10:52 am • 1 0 • view
Hybrid is definitely on my radar! But from what I understand, if petrol runs out, it can't go "only" on electric. Which sort of defeats the point imo. Is electric a viable option in India at this point?
aug 25, 2025, 10:53 am • 1 0 • view
Look at plug-in hybrids.
aug 26, 2025, 5:35 am • 0 0 • view
I don't think electric is a very viable concept in India outside of cities. In the city, I'm seeing it do better in the two wheeler space (electric scooters) than for cars.
aug 25, 2025, 10:58 am • 0 0 • view
Ahh right. I remember seeing those too. Definitely having a pang for places (like Bangalore) where you didn't need to make a $16,000 investment to be able to go places.
aug 25, 2025, 11:00 am • 0 0 • view
E-scooters are very controversial in the UK but I think a lot of what they have there are very basic almost foot scooter type things with an engine added on rather than the more sturdy ones that are common in india
aug 25, 2025, 11:01 am • 1 0 • view
They were aaaaaaaaaall over the place in Ulaanbaatar. Solves one problem (the terrible traffic) while creating another--wildly dangerous and unregulated, especially with a new, young user population. I saw an accident there that haunts me.
aug 25, 2025, 11:04 am • 1 0 • view
There was a maxim that Mongolians drive cars like they ride horses, and....yeah.
aug 25, 2025, 11:04 am • 1 0 • view
There are plug-in hybrids that can run on electric only for up to like 40 miles / 60 km. If you're able to charge at home and don't regularly take long road trips it might be a good option.
aug 26, 2025, 3:13 am • 1 0 • view
Yeah, that’s the problem. I do plan on taking regular long road trips!
aug 26, 2025, 6:51 am • 0 0 • view
Neither. Earth has enough oil that we will run ourselves out of breathable atmosphere long before we run out of oil, and while the world's electric grids are in terrible shape, electricity is also widely available and will continue to be.
aug 26, 2025, 8:26 am • 0 0 • view
The EV will be way better for the atmosphere long haul, and you will save money too as it is cheaper than gas fuel-wise. But they don't have great range, so if you routinely make crosscountry trips bigger than, say, 100-200 miles then gasoline is still the better choice.
aug 26, 2025, 8:27 am • 1 0 • view
PS: For you it does sound like a cheap hybrid would likely be best 😀
aug 26, 2025, 8:28 am • 0 0 • view
But hybrids don’t run on electric-only if the gas runs out, right? Or only a little? Which defeats the purpose imo….to be able to switch back and forth depending on supply.
aug 26, 2025, 8:36 am • 0 0 • view
You'll find the mileage more than makes up for that, I would say. Hybrids get *insane* mileage compared to non-hybrids. 60-80mpg is not uncommon and tanks last a really long time.
aug 26, 2025, 8:43 am • 2 0 • view
Smartass "joke" answers get you blocked real quick, ty
aug 25, 2025, 10:47 am • 2 0 • view
Get a bike. A regular one and an bike now
aug 26, 2025, 6:14 am • 0 0 • view
Ireland is very rapidly switching from fossil fuels for its electric grid to renewables, principally wind power. If there's a major trade shock, my wild guess is that things would be worse in terms of getting petrol into Ireland than in increasing renewable electricity production.
aug 25, 2025, 10:34 am • 2 0 • view
That’s what I’m thinking too. It would be a higher cost upfront, but if it means longer longevity, or more immunity to trade shocks…
aug 25, 2025, 10:43 am • 3 0 • view
The Irish electricity grid is however not particularly resilient, and could soon have trouble meeting the energy demands of EVs. Honestly, it's a bit damned if you do, damned if you don't... ICE car that can be converted to biofuels?!
aug 25, 2025, 10:52 am • 2 0 • view
Ooof, interesting. I saw that a single half-hour charge can power up to 500km though, which seems insane!?
aug 25, 2025, 10:55 am • 1 0 • view
I guess that would depend on the car and the charger!
aug 25, 2025, 11:08 am • 1 0 • view
I was looking at a Volkswagen ID.3, and some review that said something to that effect. MMMV, lol.
aug 25, 2025, 11:17 am • 2 0 • view
Plug-in hybrids are worth considering, if the EV-only range is >30 miles, imo. More than covers daily commute for us with zero gas. We did a road trip in a Kia Niro this summer, got 50 miles to the gallon. PHEVs can be pricey, though, and I don’t know what the used market is like where you are.
aug 25, 2025, 12:35 pm • 5 0 • view
I’m looking at one that’s only about €17,000! Hoping maybe I can snag it.
aug 25, 2025, 1:07 pm • 2 0 • view
Electrical will simply outcompete petrol. Electric grids can and will be stabilized.
aug 26, 2025, 5:09 am • 1 0 • view
Electric grids are more fundamental to the operation of society than petrol. Also: EVs are awesome. Once you've owned one, you'll never go back to stinky, polluting petrol cars.
aug 26, 2025, 2:19 pm • 1 0 • view
This is what I’m thinking, yeah. And the fact that I can just charge it at a outdoor outlet that already exists on my rental? Amazing.
aug 26, 2025, 2:20 pm • 1 0 • view
I've had one for 7 years now, and there's no going back. You won't regret it. VERY little maintenance, if any, is another bonus.
aug 26, 2025, 2:22 pm • 1 0 • view
Huh, tough call 🤔. I sold my Tesla 9 mos. ago (bought in 2019 before I knew Musk was a Nazi. I was just trying to do good for environment). Anyway, bought a Honda CRV hybrid. Very happy with it.
aug 26, 2025, 6:21 am • 1 0 • view
I would buy a used, petrol powered car. The West lacks the infrastructure to support widespread EV adaptation. There's more charging stations than gas stations in China and EVs are getting popular in the rural areas as well.
aug 25, 2025, 10:23 am • 1 0 • view
Yeah, that's also the most affordable option at this point. Amazing to hear that about China. I've been lots of other places in Asia, but not there.
aug 25, 2025, 10:30 am • 0 0 • view
Just lease. Too many great deals out there and lets you push out your choice. I switch from buying to leasing an electric based on not knowing what companies will exist in 3.5 years.
aug 25, 2025, 11:01 pm • 1 0 • view
That’s the million-mile question—do we run out of gas first, or juice the sockets dry? Either way, the real winner might be whoever still owns a bicycle.” 🚲😅
aug 26, 2025, 3:56 am • 3 0 • view
By that I mean go hybrid
aug 25, 2025, 10:50 pm • 0 0 • view
Hybrid
aug 25, 2025, 10:50 pm • 0 0 • view
I’m only half joking when I say anything mechanically driven, ideally carbureted, pre 1985. A diesel Jetta would be second best if it all goes to hell, IMO
aug 25, 2025, 10:09 am • 1 0 • view
Fascinating! Why diesel instead of petrol? (I know nothing about this, so feel free to explain)
aug 25, 2025, 10:11 am • 0 0 • view
For me it would be for availability of different fuels. Not sure about UK but in the US home heating oil is interchangeable with diesel fuel (one has a dye as they’re taxed differently) and it’s doable to convert to biofuels etc depending on what’s available
aug 25, 2025, 10:20 am • 1 0 • view
Innnnteresting. Thank you very much.
aug 25, 2025, 10:29 am • 1 0 • view
I mucked about making bio-diesel. Gathered used fryer oils from fast food chains, did the cooking, filtering, testing, all that.. it works but is a very very very messy process and if shit hits the fan I recon big companies will do this and the DIY mad scientists will lose out.🤔 my.02 🤗
aug 26, 2025, 5:41 am • 2 0 • view
Ran a Mercedes 220d with it.. already slow, so the power loss was OK.. My did it smell nice running tho.. Like stale French fries 🍟
aug 26, 2025, 5:44 am • 2 0 • view
The EVs that do power sharing (aka V2L) like from Hyundai (Kia+Genesis), Rivian, Ford (Truck Van), Chevy (Truck), become essential power stations in a disaster. A Ford/Rivian/Chevy could plug into my existing 240v generator panel; no fancy upgrade needed. 1/6
aug 25, 2025, 10:56 pm • 2 0 • view
Everybody's different, your mileage will vary, but I say EV is the only option to consider. I've logged over 300,000 miles over the past decade on full electric cars, motorcycles, & crossovers. My maint + fuel costs are 1/8 what they used to be. 10/10 Recommend. 6/6
aug 25, 2025, 10:57 pm • 1 0 • view
That’s very good to know. I’m in Ireland, so of course islands are especially vulnerable to trade disruptions.
aug 26, 2025, 6:53 am • 1 0 • view
My apologies for being a very US/Mainland centric post.
aug 26, 2025, 12:23 pm • 1 0 • view
We've already seen battery-powered DC charging semi trailers for emergencies and there are fully off-grid DC & AC charging stations out in the wild. Not quite there yet but soon you'll be able to tie Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) like Ford ProPower Home Backup to Home Solar inverters during a grid cut. 5/6
aug 25, 2025, 10:57 pm • 1 0 • view
You should already have an evacuation plan if you live in areas that require evacuation, researching charging options with ABetterRoutePlanner. Remember EVs can charge off anything -- unplugged soda machine, RV outlet at a campground, just depends on how patient or in a pinch you are. 4/6
aug 25, 2025, 10:57 pm • 1 0 • view
You'll need to do some research for where you live, but, for where I live there are enough DC fast chargers near essential grids (ie, hospitals, substations) within 25mi of my house that they recover from an outage quickly. Recharging the house's battery bank is possible. 3/6
aug 25, 2025, 10:57 pm • 0 0 • view
Hyundai's are limited to 120v power sharing, but running a portable AC unit (1800W constant load, no cycling) during a hurricane outage should still provide a solid 1.5 days (if 100% charged) before you'd need to recharge the car. But how do you do that during a power outage, I hear your say? 2/6
aug 25, 2025, 10:57 pm • 0 0 • view
120 in the US, 240 in civilized parts of the world. IIRC.
aug 26, 2025, 5:38 am • 1 0 • view
Yes, I believe that to be correct. Apologies for being US centric, I can only absorb so many stats. It was a huge dismay that Hyundai only offered low power V2L in the US.
aug 26, 2025, 12:30 pm • 1 0 • view
No problem! I was looking at a Volkswagen E up. Apparently Asian imports are hard to insure here for people with US licenses? I don’t understand why.
aug 26, 2025, 12:41 pm • 0 0 • view
Odd indeed. I wish we had access to the eUP over here! Until April my go to was a smart for two electric drive (I was t-boned by a Toyota RAV4).
aug 26, 2025, 12:48 pm • 1 0 • view
Not trying to be a wise ass but you may consider an electric bicycle with a basket depending on how far you are from services.
aug 25, 2025, 11:52 pm • 1 0 • view
Depends where you are I guess? But I'd always recommend anything electric.
aug 25, 2025, 10:51 am • 1 0 • view
West Ireland. Somewhat remote, especially if you head out of the city (if Sligo can be called that).
aug 25, 2025, 10:54 am • 0 0 • view
Yeah electric FTW :)
aug 25, 2025, 10:59 am • 1 0 • view
Get solar panels and an electric car , then it wont matter if both happen, pricey I know, but then you're not reliant on imports of oil or the electric grid.
aug 25, 2025, 3:25 pm • 11 0 • view
That’s definitely the long-term plan.
aug 25, 2025, 3:48 pm • 2 0 • view
Just did a bit of reading, takes between 6-12 panels to charge a car, they say 8 is good enough for a mid seized EV.
aug 25, 2025, 3:52 pm • 3 0 • view
Very good to know! Thank you.
aug 25, 2025, 3:53 pm • 2 0 • view
No worries.
aug 25, 2025, 3:53 pm • 1 0 • view
EVs rock, cheap, worry free...however, a multifuel diesel and vegetable oil car has a better chance if "mad max" happens
aug 26, 2025, 5:51 am • 2 0 • view
Mucho 🚲 🚲🚲🚲 and 🚲parts as a backup. I think it ends at wheelbarrows, so just an extra thought for planning-ahead purposes 😁
aug 26, 2025, 6:18 am • 0 0 • view
Dangerous in my town.
aug 26, 2025, 6:19 am • 0 0 • view
You can always have your own solar panels on your roof more easily than you can have an oil well in your back yard.
aug 26, 2025, 5:40 am • 1 0 • view
What's about if someone needs to be mobile as opposed to homesteaded? We need lightweight, flexible panels that juice A LOT faster than they do now.
aug 26, 2025, 6:20 am • 1 0 • view
This is inherently a question of which direction your locale is going. I have an EV and I live in California which is investing heavily in renewables to power the grid. I think EVs win hands down in this case. It’s such a nice driving experience (I have a non-tesla).
aug 26, 2025, 3:03 pm • 2 0 • view
Yea, I think Ireland is going in the direction of electric. Especially to reduce its energy dependency, which is one of the highest in Europe.
aug 26, 2025, 3:13 pm • 0 0 • view
It’s incredible how we really can’t discuss things general anymore as they are so different state by state and country by country!
aug 26, 2025, 3:41 pm • 1 0 • view
It really is. On one hand, it is going to almost be a controlled experiment to see the effects of EV adoption. On the other hand, the people who need to hear it don’t believe in empirical evidence.
aug 27, 2025, 2:05 am • 1 0 • view
old diesel can run on (filtered) used cooking oil
aug 25, 2025, 3:25 pm • 2 0 • view
Yes, but, you really need to be keen on DIY mechanical work to go this route (speaking from personal experience).
aug 25, 2025, 11:01 pm • 1 0 • view
International trade is in the shitcan already.
aug 25, 2025, 9:54 pm • 0 0 • view
Oh, it can get so much worse.
aug 25, 2025, 9:56 pm • 1 0 • view
I’d probably base this decision on Ireland’s mix of power generation (both current and in development.) The more it’s tilted/ing towards renewables (probably mostly wind there) the more likely I’d go electric. (Assuming you mean to stay in Ireland.)
aug 25, 2025, 12:19 pm • 2 0 • view
Yeah, it looks like Ireland is highly dependent on imports at the moment, in terms of energy. And is trying to become less so.
aug 25, 2025, 12:20 pm • 1 0 • view