Ex employees of Arcimoto…

[u/pinpinbo]

Did you managed to sell the stocks at the peak and if so, did that make you rich?

I am curious to hear stories from the ex employees.

[u/Chardonne]

I really wanted to like these. But I just couldn’t. That felt vehicle-ish enough that I wanted sides.

I’m surprised to see used ones selling (well, okay, listed) for $9,000.

[u/dwayne-billy-bob → u/Chardonne]

Bizarrely, I believe they are eligible for the federal used EV tax credit, as well as for the Oregon State EV program. If a person played their cards right, they could get one for basically free.

[u/Chardonne → u/dwayne-billy-bob]

Well, you get 30% off for the federal credit for used EVs, up to $4000. If you found a car for $4000, you wouldn't get it for free. You need a car around $13,500 to get the max $4000 credit. I thought the Oregon State EV program was out of money? I'm on their waiting list (email) to be informed if they get funded again, but I haven't heard anything. If that's back in business, I'd like to know!

[u/dwayne-billy-bob → u/Chardonne]

The Oregon State program is renewed every year. $5k for a used one if you're income qualified. Should reopen in May or June.

That 5K plus 3kish from the feds is pretty close to free.

[u/Chardonne → u/dwayne-billy-bob]

We are definitely income-qualified... but buying a used EV probably this month. Could we still qualify for the Oregon State program if it reopens in May? Would we have to buy in May, that is?

[u/dwayne-billy-bob → u/Chardonne]

You need to wait until the program has reopened to make the purchase. They will not do retroactive rebates. You can go on the program website and sign up for updates.

We have used it each of the last 2 years and now own one EV and one PHEV. It's been an effective incentive for us, as I don't think we would have purchased either without the subsidy.

[u/dwayne-billy-bob → u/Chardonne]

You might also want to call or email them to get a better idea of the reopening date. I've actually been quite impressed with their responsiveness to various questions I've had over the years.

[u/Chardonne → u/dwayne-billy-bob]

I’m signed up for updates, but … I’m buying a used EV now. And will use the $4000 federal credit, so there’s that. Plus got (IMO) a good price on a good vehicle. Our first entirely electric one!

[u/dwayne-billy-bob → u/Chardonne]

Yep, if you need it now, you need it now. What are you going to end up purchasing?

I wasn't sure how we would get along with a full EV but it has been a very positive experience. We use it a ton for trips around town and for moderate distance excursions, like over to the coast, up to Portland, etc.

The public charging infrastructure still has a ways to go but it is better than I thought it would be. Up and down i5 Is pretty good, but you'll need to do some planning for trips over the mountains to the East, etc.

[u/Chardonne → u/dwayne-billy-bob]

We're going with a 2021 Leaf with 12 full battery bars. This car would be used overwhelmingly for 5-10-mile trips in town; occasionally going to the airport. Maybe once a year to King's Valley. Possibly Portland? Though I tend to take Amtrak for that, and it isn't even once a year. That's about it. We have a second car, a Prius.

I don't personally know a lot about EVs, but I have a family member who's a battery engineer with Tesla, who has owned a Leaf and a Bolt (and a Tesla), and who is happy to advise. He called this deal "a steal," and said we'll love our Leaf. He was sympathetic to my saying sitting in a Tesla just felt creepy. Some people love the interface, some don't, and I think we fall in the camp of those who don't.

[u/dwayne-billy-bob → u/Chardonne]

For around town, a Bolt or Leaf is a nice match. Their drawback is super slow DC charging, and in the case of the Leaf, the obsolete chademo port. You probably know this already, but it won't be a good road trip vehicle. But that's what your other car is for.

We considered a Bolt before opting for an id4. Glad that we did as it is a better match for our use. That doesn't mean that's true for everyone.

A used Leaf has the advantage of someone else taking the depreciation hit from what already wasn't a huge starting price. You get basically a new car for $10-15k (after tax credit). Not bad.

[u/Chardonne → u/dwayne-billy-bob]

Yeah, we take road trips approximately never. So we didn't need to buy a car that's too much for us. The last time we bought a car (when we got the Prius, about 10 years ago), there just weren't any used EVs around here at all. It's amazing how much that has changed. There's actually some choice!