We may feel a sense of well-earned pride as we show our new electric car to friends and neighbors. ‘I feel so good about saving our planet for future generations,’ we might say. However, skeptics might comment the industry is just kidding about EVs really being green. In truth there are two sides to this story and we share them here.
Are We Just Kidding About EVs and Their Benefits
Shanti S of Ins42 comes across as a skeptic. What about the pollution during mining and manufacturing, she asks. And by the way the electricity we use to charge them still mostly comes from coal and gas. On first impressions perhaps we are just kidding about EVs and their environmental benefits.
However, that’s not to say we should abandon electric transport. As long as we are going in the right direction surely things can’t be that bad. International forums are alive about progress, and auto manufacturers are making impressive commitments. We could not have bought an electric vehicle a decade ago. That we can, is proof positive things are happening.
Better News About EV’s Than You May Expect
It Takes Time for High Tides to Turn
Let’s not forget the global warming crisis took two centuries to reach this point. It began as a gentle breeze during the first industrial revolution. High tides including global warming take time to turn. Saying we are just kidding about EVs may be partly true, but this adds little real value to the debate.
We should rather lobby our politicians, and utilities to accelerate implementation of wind and solar power, and massed batteries for storage too. Few people disagree with this strategy, although the coal lobby still has powerful support. We also need to put more effort into developing low emission energy storage, especially flow technology.
People who run marathons say their strength weakens but they push through until they gain their second wind. Perhaps we have been at that point with green energy in this year of setbacks, 2019.
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Preview Image: Coal Plant Bowen, Georgia
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