"I must call out the flood of fossil fuel expansion we are seeing in some of the world's wealthiest countries," U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said. "Countries must phaseout fossil fuels—fast and fairly."
We can immediately stop producing new gas powered vehicles
I really don’t think we can. There are electric vehicles, but not nearly enough being produced to meet all new car demand. And that’s because the car makers don’t think there’s enough demand for EVs. The auto makers produce what they believe there will demand for, and most still seem to think there is still greater demand for ICE vehicles (or hybrids) than fully electric cars.
I think some companies had tried to bring some BEV cargo trucks to market, but I don’t know if very many have actually been produced.
and building new fossil fuel power plants.
We certainly should, but we’re not. 20 new natural gas power plants will come online by the end of next year.
They absolutely can. It is totally, physically possible for them to stop making ICE vehicles. But that’s not what’s preventing them from making the transition from ICE vehicles to EVs. The auto makers are for profit corporations, and as such their primary concern is maximizing profit. The legacy auto makers aren’t yet convinced that they can maximize profits by ceasing ICE production and transitioning to EV production, exclusively. That’s what’s standing in the way. That would change if consumer demand for EVs was higher.
The government definitely does need to get involved. They need to make sure the grid is ready for mass EV adoption (and renewable energy, for that matter), and they need to make sure there are a sufficient number of charging stations. The government needs to help increase the demand for EVs by making EVs as easy, accessible, and affordable as possible. Once the demand is there, the automakers will provide the supply. Again, they just want to sell cars and make money. They don’t necessarily care if they’re selling ICE cars or EVs. If the demand is there, they will make the switch, they will go where the money is.
I really don’t think we can. There are electric vehicles, but not nearly enough being produced to meet all new car demand. And that’s because the car makers don’t think there’s enough demand for EVs. The auto makers produce what they believe there will demand for, and most still seem to think there is still greater demand for ICE vehicles (or hybrids) than fully electric cars.
I think some companies had tried to bring some BEV cargo trucks to market, but I don’t know if very many have actually been produced.
We certainly should, but we’re not. 20 new natural gas power plants will come online by the end of next year.
Car companies seeing more profit to be made isnt really a compelling argument. Just because they dont want to stop doesnt mean they cant.
They absolutely can. It is totally, physically possible for them to stop making ICE vehicles. But that’s not what’s preventing them from making the transition from ICE vehicles to EVs. The auto makers are for profit corporations, and as such their primary concern is maximizing profit. The legacy auto makers aren’t yet convinced that they can maximize profits by ceasing ICE production and transitioning to EV production, exclusively. That’s what’s standing in the way. That would change if consumer demand for EVs was higher.
Obviously we dont wait for automakers to choose to care about the environment, it would be legislated
The government definitely does need to get involved. They need to make sure the grid is ready for mass EV adoption (and renewable energy, for that matter), and they need to make sure there are a sufficient number of charging stations. The government needs to help increase the demand for EVs by making EVs as easy, accessible, and affordable as possible. Once the demand is there, the automakers will provide the supply. Again, they just want to sell cars and make money. They don’t necessarily care if they’re selling ICE cars or EVs. If the demand is there, they will make the switch, they will go where the money is.