With the cold snap in the eastern US I'm quickly learning EVs range and charging short comings in below freezing weather.

EVs still are less than half the utility of normal cars. Until charging becomes as standard as filling your car (i.e don't have to go find a charger, every gas station has one, and so on), no matter what the advantage they give you it won't overcome that fact.

Isn't it more an incentive to buy an older car that cannot be controlled remotely? You know, a car that can be fixed with a spanner.

I agree. But if you are stupid or want humongous car aka PHEV - there are now some that support remote heating using batteries.