Gov. Gavin Newsom of California has stated that as of a 2035 only non-emission vehicles will be sold. Many other states have laws that could be interpreted similarly, including Massachusetts. Gov. Newsome then told residents that they had to cut electric usage and couldn’t charge their EVs, rendering them ineffective. Advocates of EVs have failed to notice or don’t care that wholesale transition to an EV remains an inconvenient truth. Much of the consuming public cannot afford the EV as they are too busy trying to keep a roof over their head, food on the table and afford healthcare to buy one during the present economy. Many not wanting to put their trust in an EV that has limited mileage and an absence of recharge stations as well as the time required to recharge it. Others just don’t like EVs. The EV is considered non-polluting but mining the earth metals required is raping the lands where they’re found, and refining releases an incredible amount of pollution.
The advocates idea that we need this but not in my backyard conveniently ignores the environmental impact. The manufacturing process also releases massive amounts of pollutants. Also, how can metals be safely and inexpensively reclaimed once the EV is retired? Recharging an EV requires an electrical grid fueled mostly by fossil fuels, including coal. The grid is deteriorating and unable to handle the load required for transitioning to EVs and needs to be modernized to meet power requirements of all citizens as well. If the grid is not modernized, then get used to rolling blackouts, like in California. Develop an energy backup should the grid go down, so we don’t end up like Texas during the 2021 winter ice storm and the chaos it created as well as cyber-security. Grid security is considered weak and susceptible to hacking by cyber-terrorists. He who controls the grid can control the people. I dislike giving power to control so many to so few. Without power no one goes anywhere, including the EV. Is it climate control or just control?
William Aherin
Southampton