TO THE EDITOR:
Although I agree with Richard Truett's rationale for purchasing an electric car ("Why buy an electric vehicle when gasoline is cheap? Performance," March 16), the clear advantage is safety, first and foremost.
Why are EVs safer? A front trunk rather than an internal combustion engine is key to lowering serious injury. For example, the Tesla Model 3 earned a 2020 Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Winners are selected for their ability to protect people inside and outside the car, which Tesla does with cameras, sensors and software updates.
Second is Tesla's worldwide SuperCharger network that allows long distance travel with stops of 30 minutes or less, located at service areas offering restaurants, shopping and hotels. Electrify America will invest $2 billion, and others will follow, with major improvements in locating chargers in the U.S., in many cases adjacent to Tesla's SuperChargers, truck fleets and apartments, for example.
Performance is what everyone talks about after riding in or driving EVs. However, my Model S, purchased in August 2017, has safety upgrades that now include Chill mode for smooth, quiet driving along with a software limiter set at 90 mph to keep me from going too fast.
With the price of gas falling fast, it will be interesting to see the outcome of the battle for market share. I do see an increasing appeal for EVs with battery range of 300-plus miles, a network of fast-charging stations and a safer car that is continually upgraded.
MIKE AMMANN, Business development adviser, California Technology Council Economic Advisory Board, Stockton, Calif.
