Investing in electric vehicle infrastructure equates to an investment in
transportation energy. When electric cars plug in they are plugging in to power
generated by coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, solar, wind, biomass and geothermal.
That's a fantastic variety of sources. It's true that some of those listed are not the
most environmentally friendly. However, notice that oil is not among them.
Weaning U.S. transportation from oil is not a trivial benefit. Oil consumption from
both domestic and foreign sources is a tremendous economic, geo-political and
environmental problem. Relying so heavily on one source of energy is dangerous.
Just as in financial investment our country must diversify its power infrastructure
investments. A tiny reduction in oil supply currently induces large ripples in the stability
of our economy, not just in the price of fuel, but in the security we have in
our freedom of mobility.
A variety of power sources, even if they pollute now (petroleum certainly pollutes),
builds a stronger transportation infrastructure foundation. As new, cleaner
electricity sources start to dominate, vehicle emissions will rapidly decline.
Electric cars, trucks, buses and trains are an ideal stepping stone to this brighter
power future.