Some people are crazy about electric vehicles (EVs). They drive them to work in relatively small distances, charge them overnight in their garages, and never stop for petrol. Others favor gasoline-powered automobiles owing to cost, convenience, and climate.
The Proposed Rule Would Eliminate Gasoline-powered Automobiles And Increase Reliance On China
Fortunately, Americans still have that option today. But, if the latest proposed rule on car emissions from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalized as intended, they won’t be for much longer.
The proposed rule would demand that 60 percent of vehicles sold in the United States be battery-powered electric by 2030, and 67 percent by 2032, up from just 6 percent currently. This virtually eliminates the option of gasoline-powered automobiles for American drivers and increases the economy’s reliance on China, a source of the minerals required to manufacture their batteries.
The public has until July 5 to submit comments.
Congress is paying attention. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) has sponsored legislation to prohibit the EPA from finalizing the rule, and additional similar legislation is in the works. If these attempts fail, the new rule may have disastrous consequences for American consumers and the country as a whole.
Electric Vehicles Are Less Cost-effective Than Gasoline-powered Vehicles
For starters, it will raise the prices of drivers. Gasoline-powered automobiles are less expensive than their battery-powered counterparts. The electric version of the Ford 150 pickup truck, the best-selling vehicle in America, costs an additional $26,000. Statistically, you’d have to own an electric F-150 for more than two decades to make up for the additional expense. However, the average electric car’s battery will not last more than 12 years.
Furthermore, the cost of electricity is high in many states and is anticipated to climb higher as a result of another EPA rule, announced in May, requiring power plants to capture 90% of their carbon emissions. This would increase the cost of charging these vehicles, making them even less cost-effective.
Another disadvantage of electric vehicles is their inconvenient nature. A significant advantage of gasoline-powered engines is the availability of gas stations and the ability to fill tanks in five minutes or less. Electric vehicles must be recharged every 200 to 300 miles, and it takes 45 minutes to an hour to do it.
Some people are worried about running out of power if they can’t find charging stations or if they get stuck in backups caused by accidents or storms. Additionally, people’s time is valuable. They don’t want to wait 45 minutes, especially if they have small children.
Then there’s the matter of climate change. EVs are simply not practicable in some chilly states. Batteries in gasoline-powered automobiles that are relatively new do not die in cold temperatures and do not cause the vehicle to lose range. In comparison, electric vehicle batteries can lead automobiles to lose 20% to 40% of their range in cold weather. As a result, Wyoming has just 510 EVs registered, while North Dakota has only 380.
America has massive oil and natural gas reserves. America may not wish to phase out gasoline-powered automobiles for three reasons: energy independence, climatic effects, and human rights issues.
China manufactures about 80% of the world’s batteries and controls a significant portion of the minerals used in their production. This production is unlikely to be relocated to the United States. Russia’s natural gas cutoff to Europe, as well as OPEC’s oil embargo in the 1970s, highlights the need of preserving energy independence and the gasoline-powered cars that consume America’s resources.
America’s air is becoming cleaner all the time. However, in terms of global temperature implications, banning gasoline-powered cars is neither required nor useful. According to Dr. Kevin Dayaratna, chief statistician and senior research scholar at The Heritage Foundation, even totally removing all fossil fuels in the United States would result in a temperature reduction of less than 0.2 degrees Celsius by 2100.
Last but not least, requiring electric vehicles will boost mining by low-wage workers and children in nations with no regard for the environment or human welfare. Mining these minerals requires a lot of energy, and the Chinese Communist Party has made it easier to get access to domestic and foreign resources for battery production.
Last but not least, requiring electric vehicles will boost mining by low-wage workers and children in nations with no regard for the environment or human welfare. Mining these minerals requires a lot of energy, and the Chinese Communist Party has made it easier to get access to domestic and foreign resources for battery production.
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