Replies to post #26892 on The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[n4807g]

For me the EV revolution is too early, in the sense that an EV cannot just replace ICE vehicles. If you drive relatively short distances I suppose they're OK, but still pricey and limited choice, And that video of the Ford pickup towing weight, and drastically reducing ,mileage is a serious problem to overcome. I'd say in a couple of years there will be many more to choose from, and hopefully greater range. For now, unless you're really eager, and can overlook the negatives, that ICE vehicle you are driving, if maintained will easily go 150-200k.

Based on the number of battery factories, under construction or planned, Li (and other) critical minerals have a very bright and growing future.
https://electrek.co/2022/10/12/over-40-billion-in-ev-investments-establishes-new-us-battery-belt/

[santafe2]

I've owned three plug-in hybrids. I traded in each one as the warranty expired. They were all good cars but all were as much experiment as transportation. That said, hybrids will go away, as they're more complex for manufacturers than EVs.

EVs will become much more safe as battery tech and deployment improves. CA will ban the sale of ICE vehicles in 2035. There are 17 other states that follow California's emissions standards. Every vehicle manufacturer is switching to electric cars because they'll be more profitable with fewer moving parts. Also, they'd like to continue selling vehicles in areas where regulation will not allow new ICE vehicles to be sold or registered in a few years.

Housing is also moving toward all electric functionality. Electricity is simply more fungible and safer than heating oil and natural gas. After a 60-some year delay, the electric future is here.

Of course none of this electric vehicle, electric home 'revolution' will solve the climate crisis. If widely implemented it will temper the current trajectory of GHG increase, but we should think of it as more a mild therapeutic and not a cure.