>Fair enough. In 2012 I bought what I confidently believed would be my last Windows PC, a HP envy with fabulous screen and a processor that 5 years later still outperforms most of the notebook offerings out there. I replaced it months ago because... its battery died and I could not source an original replacement. Th machine itself with its aluminum case and SSDs could have lasted me a lot longer.

Hope you kept the machine to run without battery - much better to have a screen in any room than to move a desktop laptop ;-))

>So yes, I accept that my expectations may be optimistic and ironically I was let down by a battery! But with so few moving parts and off-the-shelf electronics, tires etc, once battery prices reach the sweet spot it's cheaper to manufacture electric vehicles and cost of running is fantastic.

That is due to a large part only on taxes piled onto gas - at least over here. Expect some fiddling as soon as electric cars get more common.

>It may happen very quickly indeed.

And half a dozen years from that half spent battery packs will be cheap enough to put in your cellar as night source for solar not needed during daytime - which will be an interesting situation for owners.

>
>LOL. My experience: Uber has transformed my socializing, with a $8 Uber cheaper than extortionate parking in town if I anticipate a beverage or 3. Uber is just a self-driving car that still has a driver and economically, we may all end up Londoners not owning our own vehicles because it's cheaper and easier not to. Some of today's kids may never bother to get their license and will ask incredulously whether we really self-drove big metal vehicles at each other, killing thousands of fellow citizens every year. ;-)

Parking was half the reason of getting motorbike as well, staying sober is easier today than as a twen and knowing I have to ride home makes me non-alcoholic for the evening. And most of the time I don't mind today ;-)