When I looked seriously into getting an EV for my wife, as she does short miles, and very few per week she hated the body styles, but, putting that to one side, the cost of renting the battery far outweighed the cost of fuel (petrol in her case). Now whist I may agree that the cost of charging up the battery is a lot less than the cost of fuel, the rental for the battery clearly made it a non starter from a running cost per week. I doubt if the service costs would be much different, I expect the initial cost and depreciation would be worse in the EVs case. There is little cost benefit to me/us, then again there is little cost benefit in owning a diesel (unless one compares a diesel with a petrol of similar performance figures, namely a 190bhp/300Nm diesel to a 250bhp petrol car) but then tyres, dpf etc weigh heavily against a diesel but I enjoy the type of performance.
One can justify anything given the will and clearly you are happy with your EV choice, so I am pleased for you, but you will not convince everyone it's the right choice for them just because it was the right choice for you.
You wont do it on convenience, some cant charge their cars at work/home etc
You wont do it on costs, unless you buy an electric slug (on the motorway, 55mph is no good to me)
You wont do it on performance (unless you drive a Tesla, then you are screwed on costs)
You wont do it on environmental issues (the batteries alone should put you off)
You wont do it on the attractiveness of the car (most are pig ugly)
And most of all you wont do it on here.
I'm just here to put the facts right and correct misconceptions people have due to mass media doing their best to muddle the waters.
First, battery rental is only optional on one model, the Renault Zoe. You can buy the Zoe outright without battery rental contract. Nissan Leaf had battery rental option, but were quickly retired in favour of buying the car as a whole. You ought to look closer at all the EV's on sale, most don't require battery rental.
Convenience: true not for everyone, but for those who can charge overnight, it's a LOT more convenient to begin the day fully charged.
Costs: costs are decreasing, the e-Niro vs Niro example earlier shows that total cost of ownership of EV is already cheaper. e-Niro has spacious interior, 201hp and 395 Nm torque, certainly not a slug.
Performance: Latest wave of EV are no slouch. These days, you don't need a Tesla to get more than diesel's 300+Nm of torque. Difference is, electric torque is instant and addictive, no gear change or turbo lag.
Environmental: Earlier in this thread, it has been shown that over the lifetime of EV, even if it's charged with fossil fuel generated electricity, it still produces less CO2 than ICE car. Rare earth material issue is temporary, as reliable supply chain get established, the issues will disappear like in all other industry.
The best environmental reason for EV is that EV you buy today will produce less CO2 per mile over the years as national grid improves, whereas the ICE car you buy today will produce the same CO2 per mile in 10 years time.
Attractiveness is subjective, no one can make you like the look of Nissan Leaf. But if it helps, Korean EV's all look like their ICE counterparts.
Towing is indeed lacking. Only Tesla Model X and Outlander PHEV can tow, I've no idea how much though.
End of the day, EV isn't for everyone right now, neither I or anyone have ever tried to convince EV is for everyone. But should be considered as long as prerequisites are met. Manufacturers should already be offering EV on every type of cars by now.
Yet again your comment of slow start and follower yet Ford have been building electric vehicles since the 80's. Since then they have been testing and researching EV, Fuel cells, dual fuels and hybrids. 16 different fully electric vehicles over the next couple of years doesn't happen overnight.
How many electric vehicles in total have Ford made since the 80's? Just saying this doesn't mean Ford is committed to EV's, only means Ford dips their toe in all area of technology, always ready to follow. I can also say I've been doing photography from age 2, doesn't mean I have 30 years of professional photographer experience.
Wake me up when Ford produces over 10,000 EV a week. Should be quick and easy for a large manufacturer like Ford?
Oh wait, you hadn't secured enough batteries to put in those empty chassis. Just one announcement to build EV factory doesn't mean anything, batteries supply is the key for volume EV production, I don't see any factory or deal being stuck by Ford. Not a very good follower, nevermind being slow