4 ms·

I think you are seeing things. China is mentioned because they had the worst pollution problems, seriously invested in electric, and are now realizing the payof

I think you are seeing things. China is mentioned because they had the worst pollution problems, seriously invested in electric, and are now realizing the payoff. The numbers support the narrative.

contingencies 9y ago
Shenzhen resident here. Every time a large petroleum vehicle goes past I hear it. On the other side of the block there is a bus depot - totally silent - all Shenzhen buses and 50% of taxis are now electric. It's great.
- dvtv75 9y ago
  Has there been an improvement in air quality or have the changes been too small to have an impact as yet?
  - contingencies 9y ago
    Haven't been here long enough (~12 months) to anecdata that, but it's generally recognized that government policies are increasing air quality rapidly in many major cities. Example policies: routinely spraying water on the roads in dusty areas and near construction sites, banning motorbikes from city centers, banning the import of second hand vehicles, encouraging electric vehicles, moving polluting industries away from population centers, increasing industrial regulation, reducing opportunities and increasing penalties for corruption. I have a German friend who builds air quality monitoring systems for export here and he said that restaurant kitchen air vents are actually one of the worst urban air polluters now. Another is construction. He said India's cities, especially Delhi, are literally off the charts (sensors incapable of registering pollution levels that high) and that, compared to India, China has things well under control.
    - Gibbon1 9y ago
      > banning motorbikes from city centers Dirty thing people miss about motorbikes. Better mileage, but not as much as you would think, in return for a lot more emissions. That said I'm lead to understand that electric motorcycles and bicycles have become very common in China.
      - stephengillie 9y ago
        Larger motorcycles, like Harley Davidson, use the same size engines as compact cars, like the Honda Fit. And they make a lot more noise dong so, which is part of the marketing for them. Will automakers start putting "engine speakers" on electric Harley Davidson motorcycles and playing engine noises through them?
nothrabannosir 9y ago
You’re probably right. Perfunctory research into the author reveals a focus on clean energy, and very few articles at all about China. I’ve become paranoid about astroturfing.
Kyragem 9y ago
We'll have those pollution problems here soon enough, but like so many other problem areas where the US has become world leader in (crime/gun violence/poverty/wealth disparity/healthcare costs/education costs/privacy) nothing will be done about it as long as the 1% are in charge of our politicians.

I think you are seeing things. China is mentioned because they had the worst pollution problems, seriously invested in electric, and are now realizing the payoff. The numbers support the narrative.

contingencies 9y ago

Shenzhen resident here. Every time a large petroleum vehicle goes past I hear it. On the other side of the block there is a bus depot - totally silent - all Shenzhen buses and 50% of taxis are now electric. It's great.

dvtv75 9y ago
Has there been an improvement in air quality or have the changes been too small to have an impact as yet?
- contingencies 9y ago
  Haven't been here long enough (~12 months) to anecdata that, but it's generally recognized that government policies are increasing air quality rapidly in many major cities. Example policies: routinely spraying water on the roads in dusty areas and near construction sites, banning motorbikes from city centers, banning the import of second hand vehicles, encouraging electric vehicles, moving polluting industries away from population centers, increasing industrial regulation, reducing opportunities and increasing penalties for corruption. I have a German friend who builds air quality monitoring systems for export here and he said that restaurant kitchen air vents are actually one of the worst urban air polluters now. Another is construction. He said India's cities, especially Delhi, are literally off the charts (sensors incapable of registering pollution levels that high) and that, compared to India, China has things well under control.
  - Gibbon1 9y ago
    > banning motorbikes from city centers Dirty thing people miss about motorbikes. Better mileage, but not as much as you would think, in return for a lot more emissions. That said I'm lead to understand that electric motorcycles and bicycles have become very common in China.
    - stephengillie 9y ago
      Larger motorcycles, like Harley Davidson, use the same size engines as compact cars, like the Honda Fit. And they make a lot more noise dong so, which is part of the marketing for them. Will automakers start putting "engine speakers" on electric Harley Davidson motorcycles and playing engine noises through them?

nothrabannosir 9y ago

You’re probably right. Perfunctory research into the author reveals a focus on clean energy, and very few articles at all about China. I’ve become paranoid about astroturfing.

Kyragem 9y ago

We'll have those pollution problems here soon enough, but like so many other problem areas where the US has become world leader in (crime/gun violence/poverty/wealth disparity/healthcare costs/education costs/privacy) nothing will be done about it as long as the 1% are in charge of our politicians.