Quote:
Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive
Interesting points.
I think one common misconception is that people here are "opposed" to EVs. That is certainly not the case: I know plenty of people who one one (or two) and are happy with them. More power to them. If an EV fits your needs, wonderful. People are certainly free to choose them. However, the statement "No one is forcing them to buy", if the administration has their way, would prove to be untrue. See below.
I think, bottom-line, that folks here are opposed to what they see as some pretty blatant social engineering, based on concepts that at best are legitimately challengeable and at worst a power-grab. The proposed EPA emissions limitations which would mandate a 13% annual emissions reduction and an overall 56% cut in fleet emissions, for example. The administration's plan to use taxpayer dollars as as grants to automakers to retrofit for purposes of manufacturing more EVs. The proposal to dramatically cut greenhouse-gas emissions by heavy-duty vehicles (trucks, buses, and the like beginning in 2027 with ever-more stringent reductions annually to 2032--an especially problematic area because America's economy runs on such vehicles, and such restrictions would inevitably mean a significant increase in the cost of domestic goods and services. Other examples exist as well.
There is, or should be, no problem with letting the market decide, and with Elon involved the market could very well swing eventually in favor of EVs regardless of government interference. But anything that smacks of social engineering is a surefire way to raise the hackles of many--probably most--Americans. That is what you're seeing here--not opposition to EVs but opposition to what is seen as arbitrary government meddling.
I don't know how things are seen in the UK regarding such matters, but I go back to a quote by former President Ronald Reagan: "The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help." Maybe the citizens of the UK don't see government in that way, but a whole lot of Americans do.
|
Markets can't DECIDE everything because markets are just a small subset compared with the influence of the national government. Markets can't decide how BIG to make the CIA, but the US government can. Markets don't decide where large interstate highways go, gut government does. Markets don't decide when to start a WAR, governments do.
........The US government takes all factors into consideration such as limited amounts of fossil fuel, pollution from fossil fuel, health risks associated with fossil fuels, which countries are US enemies, increasing global temperatures due to fossil fuel - and then asks the question, "how to we decrease fossil fuel use". Then, US government may decide to stimulate the use and purchase of non-fossil fuel burning automobiles. Markets can't decide that, so government MUST!