Electric vehicles have been hailed as the future of transportation, promising cleaner air and a break from fossil fuels. But a recent report has cast a shadow over this bright outlook. On their YouTube channel “Redacted,” former news anchors Clayton Morris and Natali Morris discussed a troubling trend: despite all the hype and investment from the government, EV adoption is lagging. Here’s the full story.
Lackluster EV Adoption
Natali highlighted a key statistic: only 3% more Americans own EVs this year compared to last year. While that might sound like progress, a closer look revealed a different story. Last year, just 4% of Americans drove EVs. This year, that number has only inched up to 7%.
The Disappointment
The video’s hosts argued that this marginal growth is disappointing, especially considering the major investments that were being poured into promoting EVs. From tax breaks in the infrastructure bill to incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden administration is putting its muscle behind electric transportation. But the question remains: is it enough?
Dealer Dilemma
The Morrises delved into potential reasons behind the slow adoption. One factor was the price. Natali shared that it’s primarily wealthier individuals who are purchasing EVs. Data shows that 14% of people making over $100,000 annually own an EV, while middle and low-income individuals are less likely to opt for electric vehicles.
Potential Mismatch
The report also pointed out a potential mismatch between government incentives and consumer needs. Even with tax credits, EVs remain considerably more expensive than comparable gasoline-powered cars.
The Growing Inventory
Another issue highlighted in the video was the growing inventory of unsold EVs at dealerships across the country. Despite incentives and rebates, dealerships are struggling to move EVs off their lots.
Sitting in Dealership for a Long Time
A dealer mentioned in the video explained how they’re facing a backlog of EV inventory, with some models sitting for up to 12 months. Even substantial discounts, like a $20,000 markdown on a brand-new electric F-150 truck, failed to attract buyers.
The Issue
Natali next questioned the idea that EVs are the holy grail of fighting climate change. While many celebrate them as a clear win, Natali urged us to look at the bigger picture. The problem, as she explained, is that we’re often presented with a false choice: go electric or pollute the planet.
Lead to More Pollution
But Natali pointed out that the government ignores the environmental price tag of building and running EVs. She asked to think about where all that electricity was coming from. In places that rely heavily on coal, the surge in EV charging could actually lead to more pollution.
Examples
Natali even mentioned a few cities where this has already happened, showing that the situation is more complex than a simple switch. On top of that, Morris dived into the dirty side of EV battery production. Mining the rare earth metals needed for these batteries was a nasty business, often involving human rights issues and environmental damage.
The Carbon Footprint
The key point Morris’s made was that to truly understand the impact of EVs, we need to consider their entire lifespan, from digging up the materials to what happens when they’re finally disposed of. She also added that fossil fuels burned to transport parts and materials for EV production add to their carbon footprint.
Political Ramifications
The Redacted video concludes by criticizing a proposed bill in Canada that could criminalize negative talk about oil and gas. The hosts shared that if the government wants to take away the right to talk about things, then they deserve a little pushback.
Share Your Thoughts
So what do you think? What do you believe are the main obstacles to widespread EV adoption? And how can they be addressed to encourage more consumers to make the switch to EVs?
