Those who criticize electric cars rarely speak only of the facts. After explaining
that EVs have limited range, that they take several hours to charge, or the national
electric grid can't charge every car simultaneously, they will typically
quickly issue a dire warning: "Don't Let Electric Cars End Life As We Know It!"
Yes, this is meant to frighten you. Fear prevents people from acting in
otherwise rational ways. Electric cars do not normally have the same range as
gasoline fueled cars. They also generally require several hours to charge up. The grid
does not have the capacity to charge all the cars at once. Is this the end of the world?
No. Just take a deep breath and think about it.
If you need more range than any electric car in your price range can offer, buy a different
vehicle. Do you frequently need to refuel more quickly than an EV can? Buy a
different vehicle. Will the grid collapse with the millions of electric vehicles that will all
be plugging in as soon as December? Millions of cars? All at once? Unlikely.
Fearmongers have a vested interest in things remaining the same. They stand to lose
personally if the economics of cars changes radically. Changing the status
quo scares them so they try to scare us right back. EV proponents tend to be enthusiastic
and happy to bring about the changes that can help humanity. Do they ever use fear tactics
to promote those changes? Sure they do. Pollution and global climate change are scary
things to think about. However, you should think about them first before getting scared.
With or without electric cars the world may come to an end. I'm going to buy an electric
car and not worry about it because an EV is the right vehicle for me.