Batteries

 This picture is of 53 battery-powered DeWalt reciprocating saws and some other similar battery-powered tools for sale at a Habitat for Humanity thrift store, each for $30. None of them include a battery. The fact is, that since the production and sale of the batteries and connectors to these tools are protected by patents and sold exclusively by DeWalt, when the batteries no longer hold a charge, replacing them is as expensive as buying an entirely new tool with new batteries. DeWalt has changed the configuration of the batteries in their next generation of tools so batteries that will fit these will no longer be manufactured. They are junk.

It's not hard to imagine the same situation with electric vehicles, actually it's inevitable. The battery of a future EV will fail before its structure and motors. But, as with hydrocarbon-powered vehicles, changes will be made to components, including the batteries, that will preclude their use in older cars. Patents will protect all manufacturers of all the batteries and replacing an older one will be expensive or more likely impossible, just as it is with a DeWalt drill. The DeWalt tools in the picture are miniatures of older yellow Teslas, still usable if economical power were available but motionless in the financial and legal circumstances.