Electric Vehicles and Federal Mandates
Do we need to ban the internal combustion engine?
Climate change is a serious issue and needs to be addressed. One technology that could be useful to combat this problem is the electric vehicle, or EV.
Advantages to EVs
There are many reasons to be enthusiastic about EVs. Unlike vehicles that rely on the internal combustion engine, EVs don’t use an engine and transmission. Instead, in addition to the battery, it uses 3 main components — an on-board charger, inverter, and motor — which convert electricity into the kinetic force required to drive the vehicle.
Because there are less moving parts, friction is less of a factor and stress is reduced on the components of the vehicle. This leads to a longer life and lower maintenance costs. Added to the cost savings to fuel bills, it’s obvious there are practical advantages to EVs.
They are also better for the environment.
Since a fully electric car has no emissions from a tailpipe, it doesn’t pollute the atmosphere the way gas powered vehicles do. This reduces greenhouse gasses and moves us closer to a society based on sustainable and renewable energy sources.
Challenges to Adoption of EVs
The Biden administration is a proponent of EVs, which is a good thing, one may think. Well, maybe not.
Here’s why.
First of all, there is the hubris of government mandating solutions in an authoritarian fashion instead of allowing individual citizens to participate in making the best decisions for themselves. Because an executive order has been used to increase mandatory federal minimums for fuel efficiency, a chance for debate and input is lost. Since ordinary people will be affected by these mandates, it would seem like a good idea to allow them to participate in the process.
The mandates would require fuel efficiency to reach 50 MPG by 2026. Currently, only a few hybrids, which are partially electric vehicles, can meet these requirements.
However, there are also other obstacles to deal with.
Sourcing the raw materials necessary for batteries and fuel-cells presents a challenge. There are also other technical challenges. Finally, there are the costs associated with EVs.
With other technological innovations, such as computers, the costs rapidly decreased as markets adopted the new products. So it was optimistically assumed the same pattern would emerge for, say, the lithium ion batteries used by EVs. But this has not happened.
This is a real problem for the average American who is already facing rising costs for essential items from food to housing to gas and utility costs. People who see their standard of living eroding are not likely to want to spend a large chunk of their budget on an expensive new vehicle even if in theory they want to do what is best for the environment.
According to principal automotive analyst Sam Abeuelsamid, mandating vehicles that most consumers cannot afford will simply cause new vehicle sales to dive.
This will create unintended consequences for the environment as people continue to drive older vehicles which are less fuel efficient and not as clean. Not because people are bad or don’t care but because they need to get to work, buy food, and take their kids to school or the doctor and there are often no other options available that they can afford.
Government subsidies are supposed to help defray the costs, except, according to a study by Dr. Wayne Winegarden, almost 80% of the tax-credits provided by government went to households in the upper-middle class or above. In essence, the working class ends up subsidizing those who are better off financially in this scenario.
Again, because the new mandatory minimums in federal fuel efficiency can only currently be met by a few hybrid vehicles, the end result of these regulations could be to systematically force non-electric cars off the market. This is because currently automakers cannot meet these requirements with internal combustion vehicles.
While this may seem worth it to deal with climate change, another issue is the source of the electricity used to charge EVs. Unless renewable sources are used to supply the power grid, the problem is just moved to a different location. The EV might not emit toxic emissions but if smokestacks continue to do so, there is no benefit for the environment.
China offers a solution
Another elephant in the room is that countries like India and China continue to generate an outsized amount of toxic fumes from dirty coal plants. The modern industrialized countries of Great Britain, Germany, France, and Italy, for example, account for just 5% of the total pollution.
China, on the other hand, accounts for 28%.
Yet China also points to some surprising solutions. Instead of forcing its citizens to buy vehicles they don’t want or need, China is allowing the free market to give consumers options that are beneficial to them.
There, teenagers are buying their own EV because they are so affordable. Yes, they are small. Yes, they don’t go very far on a charge. But they don’t need to in order to satisfy the needs of many individuals. There are personal considerations that minimize the disadvantages and take full advantage of the positive aspects of an EV.
For students driving to school or university, commuters in dense urban areas, older folks in retirement communities, and many others — these tiny and inexpensive vehicles provide a great alternative that is also easy on the planet.
When free market solutions are fully explored, then more people will find EVs to be a great option.
For example, people on a tight budget might choose an inexpensive, compact EV without a heavy, 1,000 pound battery pack. The trade-off would be a shorter driving range and longer recharge time, but this is not an issue for many urban dwellers, for example, or retired folks. They would love a sporty little vehicle that cost about a third as much as a traditional vehicle. It would suit their needs and lifestyle as well as saving the planet. In China, such options are increasingly available.
The situation there is very different from what we face in the United States, where most families cannot afford an EV. They cost about $10,000 more than an equivalent gas powered car. The average price according to Kelley Blue Book is over $56,000.
This doesn’t seem like a lot, but how many baristas, students, working parents and retired folks can manage that price tag?
While high-end/high-performance models like those sold by Tesla (and subsidized by the tax-payer) appeal to many upscale drivers, they are not affordable to many of those who would love to drive an EV.
The Chinese market, ironically, provides a greater range of choices in the EV market.
This does not equate to ignoring safety issues. For example, Volkswagen recently had issues with its battery packs failing Chinese requirements for fire safety. However, the emphasis seems to be more on giving customers options.
This is a much better approach than forcing a one-size-fits-all solution.
Government can help ease the transition to EVs
There are ways that the government can help make EVs more viable for consumers.
Rethinking regulations so that smaller, inexpensive models can be brought to market may help more consumers to choose an EV. Building networks of charging stations and other support infrastructure would also help. This doesn’t necessarily require a lot of government spending.
Why internal combustion engine vehicles will still be necessary
The reality is that there are situations in which traditional vehicles will continue to be needed, at least in the short term.
Recent legislation in California regarding lawn equipment provides some insight.
This new law that will outlaw gas-powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other equipment shows the unintended consequences of government’s heavy hand. Thanks to this legislation, many minority-owned small businesses will no longer be able to survive.
The Vice President of the National Association of Landscape Professionals told the L.A. Times that this would result in a 3-person crew requiring between 30–40 fully charged batteries to complete their daily work.
“These companies are going to have to completely retrofit their entire workshops to be able to handle this massive change in voltage so they’re going to be charged every day,” he added.
While larger companies can make the switch (and pass the costs on to their customers), what about smaller and family-owned operations, many run by hard-working immigrants seeking the American dream?
What do lawn mowers have to do with EVs, you might ask.
Similar dynamics will be seen in many areas of the economy if we force EVs down peoples’ throats. We are already experiencing supply chain issues partly due to regulations at places like the Port of Long Beach. And the state seems intent on doubling down on the problems instead of seeking a solution.
The fact is, we already have fuel options when it comes to vehicles in this country.
The trucking industry, for example, uses diesel, not gasoline. There is a reason for this. Diesel engines generate more torque. Thanks to a diesel engine’s greater torque capacity and horsepower at a lower rpm (revolutions per minute), it is able to pull a heavier load.
Similarly, there are industries and locations where EVs are not practical. In many Western states and rural areas, gas powered engines will continue to be necessary. For some occupations, they will also be essential.
A Hybrid Fuel Mix may be Better than a One-Size Fits All Model
Allowing a mix of EVs as well as diesel and gas powered vehicles may seem too complex, except we already have a hybrid fuel economy. When you fill your car with gas at the pump, there is a nozzle for diesel right there. Adding a charging station would seem to be an easy way to better serve a variety of customers.
By allowing the current technology to coexist with EVs, we provide better options for individuals. Most people will probably find EVs to be the right way to go for a variety of reasons.
EVs provide a quiet, clean, and modern solution to transportation problems. They save on fuel costs and can be easily adapted to the needs of dense urban environments. They will provide city dwellers with cleaner air which will help their overall health.
All of these benefits are in addition to the benefits for the environment.
However, the best way to transition to a mostly EV driving society is not by eliminating products that will still be needed by a minority of the population, at least in the short term.
