Hmmm! There are apparently those who do not agree with my anti-Green “Tuesday truths.” More specifically some do not agree with my positions on Electric Vehicles (EVs). Before I go any further, let me be clear. My position on EVs is that they are not a future remedy for the general populace, especially for the general populace that reside north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
I recently received a communique from a friend that pointed out to me what a wonderful experience he had with his EV … “I leased a Leaf for 3 years-zero gas, zero maintenance and high reliability; range fell off significantly.”
(I am happy that he was pleased with his EV. Furthermore I am happy that he is one of the more affluent among us that can afford an EV.)
He continued:
“I now have two hybrids which get excellent mileage; one is a plug in. The plug in gives me some “Free” miles because I have solar panels.”
(Getting “free” miles is always good. If the solar panels were free, then the miles would be “free,” but we know that buying solar panels is far from free. I realize that his solar panels are also probably supplementing partially, if not totally, his electric bill. Good for him! However, as we all know, only the more affluent among us can afford solar panels.)
For individuals EVs can be wonderful, but for the general populace they are just unaffordable. Likewise, not only is the EV itself unaffordable, but also accompanying rooftop solar panels are also unaffordable for the general populace. In the more northern parts of our country for months during the winter the sun often may shine very little, and the performance of an EV in cold weather is not what it is during spring and fall. So in approximately one half of our country, an individual’s EV is not a full time car.
Furthermore whereas in suburbs the housing is more horizontal, in cities the housing is much more often vertical. Having a solar panel on a single family home in the more affluent suburbs is doable, but not doable in cities that have many many more vertical apartment buildings.
In conclusion, whereas EVs and solar panels have many benefits for certain individuals, EVs will not work for the general populace for a variety of reasons, and those who will be inconvenienced or punished the most with these EV mandates will be the least affluent among us.
12/19/23