<![CDATA[I hate how modern EVs are so heavily tied to the surveillance state.]]>I hate how modern EVs are so heavily tied to the surveillance state.

Sure, you get a battery powered car, but so much telemetry (and control!!!) go back to the corporation and government.

I've started looking into EV conversions (both DIY and small local boutique shops that do them).

They're advertised and geared towards folks that want to take a classic car or some other novelty car and convert it into an EV, but I like the idea of converting an old extreme high mileage (but with good bones and frame) beater into a new EV!

Even paying someone to convert an old ICE car into a new converted EV is often cheaper than buying a new manufactured EV. (At least from a total amount of money spent, I dont know if you can get a car loan to pay for a conversion)

And! (I don't think...) Those conversions don't beacon telemetry back to a centralized source!

Anyhow... this is just a quick observation and something that's out of my price range right now. Buying used EVs is more approachable but still expensive. Buying older hybrids is better it seems. Me, I'm looking into an old ICE car that has high"ish" fuel efficiency.

I wish transit, rail, and local bike infrastructure was more developed in the US, but here I am.

You know the makerspace in Dallas, TX has a community car mechanic shop. I wonder if they do classes on EV conversions...

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/topic/d14931b4-d607-47e4-9165-51a9c8f9ec7e/i-hate-how-modern-evs-are-so-heavily-tied-to-the-surveillance-state.RSS for NodeSun, 05 Apr 2026 12:46:11 GMTFri, 03 Apr 2026 10:39:05 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to I hate how modern EVs are so heavily tied to the surveillance state. on Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:02:06 GMT]]>@tinker I think you need to re-word it to "Modern Cars are so heavily tied to the surveillance state".

Whilst EVs had connectivity earlier, a lot of manufacturers are pushing it in their ICE cars too.

This isn't an EV issue, just a modern car issue.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://fosstodon.org/users/Ryanteck/statuses/116340432966789454https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://fosstodon.org/users/Ryanteck/statuses/116340432966789454Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:02:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I hate how modern EVs are so heavily tied to the surveillance state. on Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:55:16 GMT]]>@ghard @tinker I drive a base model MG4, mid sized hatchback, good for two 20 something kids in the back, decent boot, not horribly broken software, and free for half the year due to rooftop solar. A pleasure to drive and doesn't look like a bad 80s scifi alien spaceship. Got it on sale cheaper than a petrol corolla (in Aust). Wouldn't go back. Absolutely a budget car, but well done on the important bits.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.au/users/curiously/statuses/116340406131458714https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.au/users/curiously/statuses/116340406131458714Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:55:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I hate how modern EVs are so heavily tied to the surveillance state. on Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:44:58 GMT]]>@tinker Indeed the market is full of US-style wank tanks and luxury cars with huge displays and horrible UX. Give me my WV Golf IV Station but with regenerative breaking plus reasonably fast charging (200 km in ~25-30min) and keep the rest as is and I’d be a happy puppy.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/ghard/statuses/116340365627218809https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/ghard/statuses/116340365627218809Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:44:58 GMT