As we continue to hear about the supposed “electric vehicle revolution” sweeping the nation, I’m here to throw some cold water on the hype. While it’s true that electric vehicles (EVs) have gained traction in recent years, the reality is that the US is falling woefully behind its international counterparts when it comes to embracing these eco-friendly cars.
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In fact, many countries are already ahead of the curve, with Norway, for example, having driven electric vehicles into over 50% of its new car sales market share. In contrast, the US lags far behind, with EVs making up a paltry 2% of new car sales. And it’s not just Norway – countries like China, the Netherlands, and even Sweden are all surpassing the US in terms of EV adoption, often with the help of government incentives and infrastructure investments that the US is hesitant to match.
So, what’s holding us back? One major reason is the lack of investment in charging infrastructure. While the federal government has offered various incentives for EV buyers, it’s the state and local governments that have been the real game-changers in terms of building out charging networks. And even then, the US is still lagging behind, with many states – including the all-important California – struggling to keep up with demand.
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Another factor is the high cost of EVs. While prices are coming down, many of the most popular models are still out of reach for the average consumer. And even when EVs do become more affordable, there’s still the issue of “range anxiety” – the fear that you won’t be able to get where you need to go without running out of juice. This is part of the reason why many of the top-selling EVs are luxury models, which often come with hefty price tags and longer ranges.
But here’s the thing: the rest of the world is not waiting for the US to catch up. China, for example, has already set a goal to become carbon neutral by 2060, and is investing heavily in EVs and charging infrastructure to get there. Meanwhile, Norway is already mandating that all new car sales be electric by 2025.
So what can we do? First, we need to start investing in charging infrastructure – not just the usual suspects like Tesla and GM, but also startups and smaller players that can help drive innovation and competition. We also need to rethink our transportation infrastructure, prioritizing public transit and walkability over car-centric development. And we need to get serious about incentivizing EV adoption, whether through tax credits, rebates, or other forms of support.
The electric vehicle revolution is not just a myth – it’s a reality that’s already happening elsewhere. And if we don’t get on board, we risk being left behind in the dust.
