It’s 2026. Stop Buying New EVs. Tech-Hoard the One You Have

Congratulations! You made it to 2026. 🎉 And while the past year saw some forward movement toward a cleaner, greener, safer, and more equitable future, it also brought increased anti-EV sentiment, policies designed to make electric vehicle ownership less appealing, and automakers quietly walking back their all-electric promises. Add in rising costs of living, largely static wages, and less disposable income each month… and suddenly the constant push to “upgrade” your car feels less exciting — and a lot more exhausting. So instead of hopping back onto the automotive upgrade treadmill, we’re suggesting something different. Gen Z calls it tech hoarding — keeping the tech you already own, maintaining it, upgrading it smartly, and refusing to be financially jump-scared by every shiny new product launch. And yes, it absolutely applies to cars. In this episode, we cover: • What tech hoarding actually means (and what it doesn’t) • Why buying a new EV in 2026 may not make sense for most people • How charging, range, and efficiency have really changed over the last decade • Practical ways to extend the life and usefulness of your current EV • When upgrading does make sense — and when it really doesn’t • If your electric car already does what you need it to do… why replace it? We’ll explain it all. Find full show notes and script at https://www.transportevolved.com/2026/01/06/its-2026-stop-buying-new-evs-tech-hoard-the-one-you-have/ --- *⏱️ Episode Timeline* 00:00 – Introduction 01:52 – Opening Skit 02:27 – So… What *Is* Tech Hoarding? 05:26 – A Conscious Decision, Not a Crisis 06:26 – Why Tech Hoarding Makes Sense for EVs 09:05 – The Reality of Today’s EV Market 11:18 – Real-World EV Examples 11:57 – A Nod to the Outliers 13:31 – Support Transport Evolved on Patreon ❤️ 13:59 – Tip #1: Budget for Servicing & Find Someone You Trust 15:32 – Tip #2: Join an Owners’ Group or Forum 15:53 – Tip #3: Bone Up on Common EV Problems 16:24 – Tip #4: Get an OBD-II Dongle 17:19 – Tip #5: Add the Upgrades *You* Actually Want 20:49 – Thanks for Watching & Goodbye! *👥 Today’s Sponsors* 🌱 Electric Vehicle Association - https://www.myeva.org ⚡ EnergySage - https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101290941-16952262 — ✊ Get Involved 🗳️ https://indivisible.org/town-hall-resources ❤️ Support the Show 📰 https://www.transportevolved.com 🔥 https://www.patreon.com/transportevolved ☕ https://ko-fi.com/transportevolved 📺 https://www.youtube.com/transportevolved 👕 https://www.redbubble.com/people/TransportEVd/ 🛍️ https://amzn.to/40xOyjm ₿ 1QRZRGCCXUKPDZ2DZ9KX9JYJXMZDYHYGFZ0MN4WH *💬 Join the Conversation* 🐘 https://mastodon.transportevolved.com/@show 💬 https://discord.gg/9WAjfQn 🌀 https://bsky.app/profile/transportevolved.bsky.social 🔁 Subscribe to our 2nd channel - https://www.youtube.com/transportevolvedtake2 --- *🎙️ Credits:* Host: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield Camera, Edit, Color: Vi Horton Art & Animation: Erin Carlie Producer: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield Music: via Artlist.io © Transport Evolved LLC, 2026