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Even considering the climate benefits of EVs over gas cars, I am skeptical of large scale public investment in EVs because it pulls funding away from what citie
by kdmccormick 3y ago
Even considering the climate benefits of EVs over gas cars, I am skeptical of large scale public investment in EVs because it pulls funding away from what cities really need: public transit and better biking/walking infrastructure. Regardless of the climate, cities just work better for humans when they're not clogged up with cars, EV or not.
EVs unfortunately also double down on cars' need for parking in busy areas (due to the need for charging stations) which totally disrupts urban fabric and wastes valuable land that could be housing, businesses, or parks.
For rural areas, though, I can see the climate benefit of the EV transition. Without the climate benefit, though, I am just not sure whether the side effects of EVs, like lithium battery production and disposal, would outweigh "cleaner air".
- matthewfelgate 3y agoWhy not do both? We are always going to have cars: whether gas or electric.
- kdmccormick 3y agoBecause (even if we put aside concerns like charging spots, batteries, and increased road damage due to EV weight) there is a finite level of funding available on all levels of government. If private companies want to fund a conversion to EVs, great. But that's not exactly what's happening. There are huge federal and state subsidies happening to incentivize the transition, and those subsidies could instead be used to repair and public transit systems, which at least in my city are literally crumbing, and improve safety for cyclists and pedestrias.
- matthewfelgate 3y agoIs a lot of federal funding going into EVs?