Is the Electric Car Party Over?

In times where the future of transportation is increasingly electric, the electric vehicle (EV) sector is at a crossroads, facing not just technological and economic hurdles but also navigating a complex web of public opinion and political rhetoric and alarmism on climate change. The recent Pew Research Center survey unveils a starkly divided American viewpoint on climate change, starkly contrasting with global attitudes. This deep divide is more than a mere difference of opinion; it shapes the very fabric of EV adoption and the approach towards environmental sustainability.

Surveys reveal America and other countries is less alarmed by climate change than some, with ideological rifts cutting deeply across its societal fabric. We are seeing this in Canada as it seems the conservatives have called out the liberals for their lack of any progress on the climate front, even with the billions they have spent and the rise in carbon taxes. All this in the face of tough economic times is not getting a sympathetic ear from those who are facing these tough times.

This divergence in concern is not a mere statistical anomaly but a reflection of a broader narrative influenced by science, political leadership and even media discourse. The human psyche, shaped by political figures and media outlets, stands at odds with the global urgency for climate action. People watch as trillions of dollars are spent, yet nowhere can anyone quantify if these herculean efforts are at all doing anything to, pardon the pun, move us to greener pastures. In fact, many have now seen mother nature in her natural innate ability to always level to homeostasis, has done more to “save the planet” as we have seen in a 10 percent greener earth. What causes this is something we were all taught in school, and that is to plants and trees, carbon is food. There are many other scientific facts, one being that trees on the planet have the capacity to convert three times the total carbon emissions to oxygen. So as we are witnessing now, fewer and fewer people are buying into this alarmist almost religious banter of climate crises. This is not to say, we need to be responsible custodians of Mother Earth and do our best to be responsible with our waste, but the extent of this is what is really being challenged.

In the U.S., climate change has transformed from a scientific issue into a battleground of political ideologies. Well-known figures and now even media channels have not only questioned the severity of climate change but have also successfully swayed a significant portion of the public. If we remember Al Gore’s predictions which for the record, never came true since we are not all under two feet of water and the polar caps are doing just fine thank you very much. This phenomenon extends beyond climate change, echoing in debates over COVID-19 responses, showcasing the profound impact of political rhetoric and media framing on public opinion. We have all seen the fallout from these vaccines, with myocarditis in young people up over 651%. Don’t get me started on that one.
The EV Market at the Mercy of Perception

These societal schisms over climate change directly impinge upon the EV industry. If a sizable segment of the population remains unconvinced about the gravity of climate change or the need for immediate and robust action, the transition to electric vehicles, often touted as a green solution, faces an uphill battle. The industry’s potential growth is tethered to innovation and market forces and the shifting sands of public perception and political discourse. But some now doubt if EVs are at all green since more have become aware of the carbon impact of making these cars. That is why they changed their slogan from “low carbon vehicles”, to “low tailpipe carbon emissions”. How one word can fix something scientifically inaccurate and nobody even notices.
Bridging the Divide for a Sustainable Future

Addressing the challenges in the EV sector requires more than technical solutions and financial incentives; it demands a concerted effort to bridge the ideological divides that hinder a unified response to climate change. It calls for a narrative that transcends political allegiances and aligns with the scientific consensus and global urgency for environmental action.

Now we have dealerships sitting on huge inventories of EVs with no one in sight to dish out the cash to purchase one. Even with the insane cash and rebate incentives, there is nothing but crickets in the offering for dealerships wanting new customers. There is also the reality of people becoming more aware of the demands for recharging stations, as the fast charging stations are the equivalent to the power usage of 100 homes, it truly has been, we must have had on beer googles when we were first introduced to EVs because right now, she looks like 10 miles of bad road.

The story of the EV revolution is now a tale of not just cars and chargers but of hearts and minds. As the industry navigates these tumultuous waters, its success hinges on harmonizing technological advancements with a cohesive and convincing narrative that resonates across the political spectrum. The future of electric vehicles will remain in peril as we may be faced with the situation that can be described, as the wrong gun aimed at the wrong target. I wrote an article over 18 months ago saying soon EVs will be sitting in car lots with no buyers and people will be dumping their EVs for pennies on the dollar. Are we seeing the beginning of this happening now, perhaps we are, but like anything, time will tell.