this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2026
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Unpopular Opinion

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[–] victorz@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

Up voted because it's definitely against my opinion.

I can drive manual, have done for over twenty years. I now own an EV which doesn't have "gears". It's just a single clean line from standstill to top speed, no shifting necessary, manual nor automatic. Just press the gas and it goes.

I'm still driving. And I know how to drive manual, as I mentioned.

I'm just using other means now:

  • press pedal to go forward
  • release pedal to go slower/brake (*)
  • press buttons to (de)activate cruise control (CC)
  • press buttons to adjust CC speed
  • press buttons to adjust CC front car distance
  • keep track of CC deactivating if at a standstill for too long
  • keep track of CC not being able to activate until over 16 km/h
  • remember that using brake pedal deactivates CC so it needs to reactivate or you need to take control of the throttle manually
  • button to reactivate CC at old speed rather than setting new speed
  • button to activate CC at new speed rather than old speed after deactivation, if desired
  • button to switch between CC lane keeping assist and manual steering

(*): this is actually harder and requires more feeling and control, because you're not really brute-force braking as with the brake pedal — it's more akin to motor braking with a combustion engine. That's the feeling. So you have to know the timing to release the pedal, and how far to release it for braking as smooth as possible. And the muscle memory of "okay motor braking isn't enough here, gotta use the actual brake pedal". And this happens very rarely so it requires more cognitive overhead with these cars.

So it's actually a lot more shit to worry about and understand than in my previous, manual shift car.

Shifting is just a product of the engine. This new engine doesn't need it, so I'm not driving now?

Bullshit. 😉

[–] fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

When driving stick I engine brake for most of the time I’m decelerating. If I need more brake I downshift, less brake up shift.

Actually I do the same in my automatic. My drive to work isn’t prone to random traffic jams so I have enough time to engine brake for most of the drive. Just sub 15mph when I have to actually brake. I’ve actually learned how much I need to press the brake pedal to turn on the lights without actually braking.

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Same actually. Rarely did I use the brake on my automatic unless I actually wanted to come to a halt. Same with manual, with the addition of decelerating for a turn off a highway and such rapid changes in direction. 👍 Eco driving!

[–] JamesBoeing737MAX@sopuli.xyz 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Well, the transmission is just manual with 1 gear in an electric car. I'm cool with electric cars with an "auto" but I'm never buying an auto ICE car.

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Well, the transmission is just manual with 1 gear in an electric car.

I feel like that's maybe some slightly misleading nitpicking. 😄 There's no need for a gearbox at all, the electric motor just delivers power and torque smoothly across the whole range of speed, so there's no shifting whatsoever. 👍

I'm never buying an auto ICE car.

What exactly is an "auto ICE car", for the uninitiated (me)? 🙏

[–] JamesBoeing737MAX@sopuli.xyz 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
I feel like that's maybe some slightly misleading nitpicking. 😄 There's no need for a gearbox at all, the electric motor just delivers power and torque smoothly across the whole range of speed, so there's no shifting _whatsoever_. 👍

Yes, that's kinda the same thing. I just tried to say that that's why I'm fine with electric cars but not automatics. I wouldn't be able to stand not having control over what gear I'm in, but if there's always torque available, it's fine.

What exactly is an "auto ICE car"

Automatic internal combustion engine car.

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

That's the thing with automatic ICE cars, you mostly don't need to control which gear you're in.

If you pass the gas pedal deeply enough, it will shift down automatically to provide the required/requested torque, e.g. when making a pass around a car on the motorway.

They also have gear modes that limit the upper gear to first, second, third, etc, so you can tow stuff, or get out of a ditch, or snow, e.g.

Auto cars are so comfortable, honestly. You just press the pedal and that's it. If you need control on the off chance, it's also still available in different ways. 👍

[–] Reygle@lemmy.world -1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Is it as satisfying as dropping to 3rd on the highway though? Iono, man. Feels pretty good!

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

More satisfying in my personal opinion. 🙂 The driving is so unbelievably smooth with an EV, if you want it to be. It can also be more "revvy" than a combustion engine car (the electric motors are stronger, so faster acceleration).

It's a sweet deal if you care about driving comfort. 🤩