Images: TFLcar
In this week’s Ask Nathan:
- Will there be a 2024 Ford Bronco EV?
- Hybrid vs. EV?
- Your (TFL’s) lackluster approach to car content.
The first question comes from a Ford fan who thinks we’ll see a 2024 Ford Bronco EV.
Q: TFL guys!!!
Did you see the new Ford F-150 EV!? I think it will trounce the competition before half of them even begin selling! IT WILL KILL TESLA AND RIVIAN AND GM! No doubt Ford will be king.
I think that the next thing they will do is build a 2024 Ford Bronco EV. Why do I think it will be a 2024? Well that’s because it will take a few years for the Ford F-150 EV to sell before demand increases. Do you know what I mean? THE 2024 FORD BRONCO EV WILL CRUSH THE GMC HUMMER EV!!!!
Remember my name, I’,m Mike K from Brooklyn and I predicted this before I even finished middle school! If this comes true, I will be in college by 2024 and I want to intern at TFL.
I LOVE THE MILLIONS OF FUN VIDEOS TFL DOES!!!
A: Hi Mike!
That’s a great email. Thanks for sending it!
Your idea has merit, if you look at the way Ford is packaging the 2022 Ford F-150 EV, it looks like that platform could be used by another vehicle. If you look closely at the graphic provided by Ford, you can see this upcoming EV is based on a truck frame.
Click (here) for the story about the 2022 Ford F-150 EV.
The question should be: will there be enough consumer demand to build a Ford Bronco EV? Keep in mind, Ford is building the Ford Mustang Mach E which is an all-electric crossover. That vehicle will cater to consumers who are looking for an alternative to the Tesla Model Y.
Will consumers be willing to bang around off-road in an electric-only vehicle? I think it will take a long time to convince hard-core off-road enthusiasts that EVs are viable alternatives. We may know more after a few more EV off-road vehicles hit the market.
You’re totally right about Ford having the tools, talent and ability to build something like a Ford Bronco EV. I think they will move a little bit slower on that front.
Still, we may see a hybrid or PHEV Bronco first.
It will be interesting to see how the Ford F-150 EV does. That may be the biggest indicator if smaller trucks, like the Bronco and Ranger, can make it with EV options.
— N
Speaking of EVs; this reader is comparing a used EV to a used hybrid and she’s seeking help.
Q: Via Twitter (@NathanAdlen) Can Ask Nathan help me choose between an electric vehicle and a plug in hybrid?
Choosing between a 2018 Chevy Bolt and Chevy Volt. Pros and cons?
— Valerie
A: Hi Valerie!
Great question.
Both are great commuter vehicles, some of the best in class – back in 2018.
Obviously, they are very different vehicles. The Chevrolet Volt is a much more complex vehicle, using both EV and internal combustion power for day-to-day driving. It gives you a great alternative if you need that extra confidence needed with a gasoline-powered backup. There is no range anxiety.
Unfortunately, the Chevy Volt is an extremely complex machine with a lot of moving parts. It costs as much, if not more than a regular car to maintain. Two power-trains and lots of electronics require a bit of professional attention.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV is brilliant, but it is limited in two ways: it’s just an EV and it’s pretty small. Even after a few years, you should have plenty of range to make most commutes a breeze. New, they achieved over 230 miles range. With a few years battery degradation, most should still have well over 200 miles range.
The Bolt is small, like the size of a Chevy Spark – and trunk space is kind of slim. At the same time, it is less complex than a Volt and great for city commuters. I drove one all over Southern California for over a week. You can read about it (here).
It all comes down to the length of your commute and packaging needs. Honestly, if you have the electric infrastructure in your area that can support an EV, either works quite well. Personally, I would get the Bolt. It’s a fun little bugger and it’s one of the easiest day-to-day EVs I’ve driven.
Good luck!
— N
The last question/comment comes from a viewer who says that “(He’s) baffled how your channel gets access to vehicle and news before others because your lackluster approach to car content still is the worst and least entertaining big channel I’m aware of.”
Q: This is the full comment posted by Brice Milleson
(Brice is a cinematographer based Columbus, Ohio)
I still am baffled how your channel gets access to vehicle and news before others because your lackluster approach to car content still is the worst and least entertaining big channel I’m aware of. Your banter doesn’t land, your camera work is terrible and your misleading thumbnails infuriate me, yet somehow manufacturers are giving you access. The fact you guys are criticizing other types of content creation literally makes me laugh out loud. Please improve your content, its incredibly boring and most of the time not useful.
Brice M via YouTube
There’s more, a lot more. Brice responds to our (snarky) response with his credentials, comparisons to other outlets, our shortcomings and his disappointment after watching us for over four years.
A: After a few days, I opted to take a look at some of Brice’s material and even read his several paragraph responses.
Here’s mine:
Brice. If you truly have our best interest in mind, and you’re not interested in any form of self promotion, why not send us an email? Coming from a real professional, it would be more poignant.
Unfortunately, you opted to use a public forum to lambaste our work. You opted to slam our production team – which is where you caught my attention. This is how a “pro” responds to our work?
Sometimes you reap what you sow. Thus, snarky, juvenile responses along with exposure of your utter lack of professionalism.
I mean, you said several times that you’re a pro. Brice, you regaled us with your vast talents, links to videos, names of employers and more. You want everyone to know your level of professionalism – right?
You know what a “professional” does Brice? They keep things professional. Considering the amount of work you put into your YouTube messages, I think you could have sent an email to us. That’s what other professionals do. That’s what other professionals have done in the past.
One final note: our crew works their asses off producing hundreds of videos every year. We put in a lot of hard work that’s rarely appreciated. Say what you want about the idiots in front of the camera, but our crew? To have a “pro” like you publicly degrade my crew’s efforts for obvious self promotion and proclamation of your expertise is truly unprofessional.
… I would never sink to that level watching your videos. Neither would our team.
Here’s video he commented on.
