While the rest of you are discussing SUV’s and necessities vs luxury items, I’m still stuck on the resident that missed a Dr.s appointment because if this vandalism. I live in Boston, and I am shocked and quite miffed when I have to wait 10 minutes for an Uber, usual wait time is no longer than 5 minutes.
Just had to get that thought off my chest. Carry on. 
What if the doctor’s appointment was with a heart transplant team?
Maybe my post wasn’t clear. I’m amazed somebody actually missed their appt, they had other options to get there when their tires were vandalized. As long as it sometimes takes to schedule an appt, them missing it was unnecessary.
Sigh. I don’t use Uber or Lyft. Can’t have apps on my phone other than those that came with it. I’m sure many others don’t use them either.
That’s quite an assumption. If my MIL walked out and her tires were deflated, she’d be clueless about getting an Uber.
The MBTA has trains and busses that go to all the Boston medical centers. I didn’t mean to start something OT, was just venting.
LOL! If you live in Boston then you know just how royally screwed up the T is. 
I’ve been here 18 months and after getting rid of my car have only used the bus, which suits my needs for most things. Otherwise it’s Uber. My local FB page is full of endless complaints of the T, mostly the Orange line.
My dad worked for the T for 30 years. It’s never worked correctly since he left. 
I live 35 miles from Boston–it would very difficult to get an MBTA train or bus to any of the medical centers in the city unless unless someone was going to walk 6 miles to the nearest MBTA rail station to get to the city. Getting from my town to the medical centers via public transportation would take a very long time. It’s just not possible.
My town has a volunteer group that gives rides to seniors to medical appointments. I volunteer to drive once a month. The senior center also has a bus that takes seniors to the local grocery store/drug store (closest is 7 miles away). The lack of public transportation is a problem.
It’s also difficult to get Uber, because there aren’t any drivers out this way unless you catch someone dropping folks off.
Every time I see the title of this thread I think – I don’t know if SUVs are killing the planet, but they are killing pedestrians.
@Bromfield2, I was referring to the person that lives in Beacon Hill and missed a Dr. appt. Of course being 35 miles out, that wouldn’t apply to you.
I have a good story about the time I first tried Uber, in prep for a solo trip to NYC / Long Island. I downloaded the app, arranged a ride to a breakfast date (my husband drove). Unfortunately I had applied sunblock for the planned outdoor activities afterward, and it got in my eye on the 4 mile ride. When I entered the restaurant, my husband thought it was tears, came running over to find out what had happened.
One of my favorite books of all time 
I just learned how much heavier EV’s are than ICE vehicles. Wow. EV weight could have contributed to the recent Manhattan parking garage collapse.
The head of the NTSB has also cautioned against EV’s because of the safety risk they pose to other drivers due to their weight.
“ “I’m concerned about the increased risk of severe injury and death for all road users from heavier curb weights and increasing size, power, and performance of vehicles on our roads, including electric vehicles,” Homendy said in remarks prepared for the group…
Homendy said she was encouraged by the Biden administration’s plans to phase out carbon emissions from vehicles to deal with the climate crisis. But she said she still worries about safety risks resulting from a proliferation of EVs on roads ands highways.
“We have to be careful that we aren’t also creating unintended consequences: More death on our roads,” she said. “Safety, especially when it comes to new transportation policies and new technologies, cannot be overlooked.”
Homendy noted that Ford’s F-150 Lightning EV pickup is 2,000 to 3,000 pounds (900 to 1,350 kilograms) heavier than the same model’s combustion version. The Mustang Mach E electric SUV and the Volvo XC40 EV, she said, are roughly 33% heavier than their gasoline counterparts.“
Seems many on the EV thread were talking about how dangerous EVs would be in winter due to their lack of weight. 
Riding around in our son’s EV KIA I have to say I really enjoy the ride, esp knowing no gasoline is ever needed.
My Bolt EUV is about the same weight as a Honda CR-V and about 10% more than a Honda HR-V. (Hard to know what exactly to compare it too, it’s small but it holds a lot and has great leg room). That doesn’t seem excessive. The Hyundai Kona EV is just about 100 lbs more than the EUV. The Kona EV is about 15% heavier than the Kona ICE. I imagine the batteries needed for range and size of vehicle make a difference.
Interesting. I’ve ever thought about weight differences. Presumably they scale up brake systems accordingly.
“ The consequence of that kind of battery would be that EVs – even though they have much fewer parts – are significantly heavier than their ICE counterparts. EV trucks and SUVs weigh 2.5 times more than ICE trucks and SUVs. In terms of sedans, the EVs weigh about 30% more than ICE cars.”
Above info and more factors at this link. I did find the reduced number of parts on EV to be appealing. Gosh, so many different models and part variety.
https://blogs.perficient.com/2023/04/05/the-true-ramifications-of-ev-vs-ice/#:~:text=The%20consequence%20of%20that%20kind,30%25%20more%20than%20ICE%20cars.
According to the specs on Ford’s web site, the F-150 curb weights are:
| Engine | Cab | Bed | Drive | Trim | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L | Crew | 5.5’ | 4x4 | XLT | 4,705 |
| 3.5L | Crew | 5.5’ | 4x4 | XLT | 4,948 |
| 3.5L Hybrid | Crew | 5.5’ | 4x4 | XLT | 5,517 |
| Lightning Standard Range | Crew | 5.5’ | 4x4 | XLT | 6,015 |
| Lightning Extended Range | Crew | 5.5’ | 4x4 | XLT | 6,361 |
The above is trying to match like-for-like. The Lightning comes in crew cab 5.5’ bed only with 4x4. Both it and the ICE versions come in the XLT, Lariat, and Platinum trims (the lower XLT trim is the lightest). Special (heavier) versions like Raptor, Tremor, giant all-terrain tires, etc. are not included. The lightest ICE is the 3.3L, while the heaviest is the 3.5L (turbo), and a heavier 3.5L hybrid is available. The Lightning comes in two battery sizes.
Comparing the heaviest Lightning to the lightest ICE above shows a difference of 1,656 pounds, not 2,000 to 3,000 pounds. However, the lightest F-150 with a weight listed is the 3.3L regular cab 6.5’ bed 4x2 XL/XLT at 4,021 pounds. Comparing it to the heaviest Lightning in the Platinum trim at 6,893 pounds gives a difference of 2,872 pounds, but that is not like-to-like otherwise.
Yes, EVs are heavier than otherwise similar ICEVs. But some of the reports on the magnitude of the difference seem to be exaggerated.
And honestly, most people do not need a pick up truck. I’m glad the Lightning is available for those that do, but we drive so many huge vehicles in this country that are just excessive.
We went to Ireland last October (my first time) and there were no giant SUVs or pickups. I saw one pick up truck the whole week we were there and I think it was a Suzuki from the 90s – something small and old.
30 years ago we did not drive giant SUVs and pickups like we do now. But they are popular and trendy so I’m glad there are options out there for folks that want an EV pickup or EV SUV.