Track outages and protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
Measure audience engagement and site statistics to understand how our services are used and enhance the quality of those services
If you choose to “Accept all,” we will also use cookies and data to
Develop and improve new services
Deliver and measure the effectiveness of ads
Show personalized content, depending on your settings
Show personalized ads, depending on your settings
If you choose to “Reject all,” we will not use cookies for these additional purposes.
Non-personalized content is influenced by things like the content you’re currently viewing, activity in your active Search session, and your location. Non-personalized ads are influenced by the content you’re currently viewing and your general location. Personalized content and ads can also include more relevant results, recommendations, and tailored ads based on past activity from this browser, like previous Google searches. We also use cookies and data to tailor the experience to be age-appropriate, if relevant.
Select “More options” to see additional information, including details about managing your privacy settings. You can also visit g.co/privacytools at any time.
Track outages and protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
Measure audience engagement and site statistics to understand how our services are used and enhance the quality of those services
If you choose to “Accept all,” we will also use cookies and data to
Develop and improve new services
Deliver and measure the effectiveness of ads
Show personalized content, depending on your settings
Show personalized ads, depending on your settings
If you choose to “Reject all,” we will not use cookies for these additional purposes.
Non-personalized content is influenced by things like the content you’re currently viewing, activity in your active Search session, and your location. Non-personalized ads are influenced by the content you’re currently viewing and your general location. Personalized content and ads can also include more relevant results, recommendations, and tailored ads based on past activity from this browser, like previous Google searches. We also use cookies and data to tailor the experience to be age-appropriate, if relevant.
Select “More options” to see additional information, including details about managing your privacy settings. You can also visit g.co/privacytools at any time.
Track outages and protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
Measure audience engagement and site statistics to understand how our services are used and enhance the quality of those services
If you choose to “Accept all,” we will also use cookies and data to
Develop and improve new services
Deliver and measure the effectiveness of ads
Show personalized content, depending on your settings
Show personalized ads, depending on your settings
If you choose to “Reject all,” we will not use cookies for these additional purposes.
Non-personalized content is influenced by things like the content you’re currently viewing, activity in your active Search session, and your location. Non-personalized ads are influenced by the content you’re currently viewing and your general location. Personalized content and ads can also include more relevant results, recommendations, and tailored ads based on past activity from this browser, like previous Google searches. We also use cookies and data to tailor the experience to be age-appropriate, if relevant.
Select “More options” to see additional information, including details about managing your privacy settings. You can also visit g.co/privacytools at any time.
Track outages and protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
Measure audience engagement and site statistics to understand how our services are used and enhance the quality of those services
If you choose to “Accept all,” we will also use cookies and data to
Develop and improve new services
Deliver and measure the effectiveness of ads
Show personalized content, depending on your settings
Show personalized ads, depending on your settings
If you choose to “Reject all,” we will not use cookies for these additional purposes.
Non-personalized content is influenced by things like the content you’re currently viewing, activity in your active Search session, and your location. Non-personalized ads are influenced by the content you’re currently viewing and your general location. Personalized content and ads can also include more relevant results, recommendations, and tailored ads based on past activity from this browser, like previous Google searches. We also use cookies and data to tailor the experience to be age-appropriate, if relevant.
Select “More options” to see additional information, including details about managing your privacy settings. You can also visit g.co/privacytools at any time.
"electric" - Google News
September 28, 2023 at 11:52PM
https://ift.tt/uK5beIl
Most new cars sold in UK will have to be fully electric by 2030, government confirms - The Guardian
"electric" - Google News
https://ift.tt/xr7EKAt
https://ift.tt/Md68CfY
Track outages and protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
Measure audience engagement and site statistics to understand how our services are used and enhance the quality of those services
If you choose to “Accept all,” we will also use cookies and data to
Develop and improve new services
Deliver and measure the effectiveness of ads
Show personalized content, depending on your settings
Show personalized ads, depending on your settings
If you choose to “Reject all,” we will not use cookies for these additional purposes.
Non-personalized content is influenced by things like the content you’re currently viewing, activity in your active Search session, and your location. Non-personalized ads are influenced by the content you’re currently viewing and your general location. Personalized content and ads can also include more relevant results, recommendations, and tailored ads based on past activity from this browser, like previous Google searches. We also use cookies and data to tailor the experience to be age-appropriate, if relevant.
Select “More options” to see additional information, including details about managing your privacy settings. You can also visit g.co/privacytools at any time.
Track outages and protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
Measure audience engagement and site statistics to understand how our services are used and enhance the quality of those services
If you choose to “Accept all,” we will also use cookies and data to
Develop and improve new services
Deliver and measure the effectiveness of ads
Show personalized content, depending on your settings
Show personalized ads, depending on your settings
If you choose to “Reject all,” we will not use cookies for these additional purposes.
Non-personalized content is influenced by things like the content you’re currently viewing, activity in your active Search session, and your location. Non-personalized ads are influenced by the content you’re currently viewing and your general location. Personalized content and ads can also include more relevant results, recommendations, and tailored ads based on past activity from this browser, like previous Google searches. We also use cookies and data to tailor the experience to be age-appropriate, if relevant.
Select “More options” to see additional information, including details about managing your privacy settings. You can also visit g.co/privacytools at any time.
Track outages and protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
Measure audience engagement and site statistics to understand how our services are used and enhance the quality of those services
If you choose to “Accept all,” we will also use cookies and data to
Develop and improve new services
Deliver and measure the effectiveness of ads
Show personalized content, depending on your settings
Show personalized ads, depending on your settings
If you choose to “Reject all,” we will not use cookies for these additional purposes.
Non-personalized content is influenced by things like the content you’re currently viewing, activity in your active Search session, and your location. Non-personalized ads are influenced by the content you’re currently viewing and your general location. Personalized content and ads can also include more relevant results, recommendations, and tailored ads based on past activity from this browser, like previous Google searches. We also use cookies and data to tailor the experience to be age-appropriate, if relevant.
Select “More options” to see additional information, including details about managing your privacy settings. You can also visit g.co/privacytools at any time.
Track outages and protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
Measure audience engagement and site statistics to understand how our services are used and enhance the quality of those services
If you choose to “Accept all,” we will also use cookies and data to
Develop and improve new services
Deliver and measure the effectiveness of ads
Show personalized content, depending on your settings
Show personalized ads, depending on your settings
If you choose to “Reject all,” we will not use cookies for these additional purposes.
Non-personalized content is influenced by things like the content you’re currently viewing, activity in your active Search session, and your location. Non-personalized ads are influenced by the content you’re currently viewing and your general location. Personalized content and ads can also include more relevant results, recommendations, and tailored ads based on past activity from this browser, like previous Google searches. We also use cookies and data to tailor the experience to be age-appropriate, if relevant.
Select “More options” to see additional information, including details about managing your privacy settings. You can also visit g.co/privacytools at any time.
"electric" - Google News
September 24, 2023 at 09:00PM
https://ift.tt/Q2tFfJu
Before Lahaina Burned, Hawaiian Electric Was Slow to Replace Poles That Posed Fire Risk - The Wall Street Journal
"electric" - Google News
https://ift.tt/aZTHV46
https://ift.tt/ER4XBvc
Track outages and protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
Measure audience engagement and site statistics to understand how our services are used and enhance the quality of those services
If you choose to “Accept all,” we will also use cookies and data to
Develop and improve new services
Deliver and measure the effectiveness of ads
Show personalized content, depending on your settings
Show personalized ads, depending on your settings
If you choose to “Reject all,” we will not use cookies for these additional purposes.
Non-personalized content is influenced by things like the content you’re currently viewing, activity in your active Search session, and your location. Non-personalized ads are influenced by the content you’re currently viewing and your general location. Personalized content and ads can also include more relevant results, recommendations, and tailored ads based on past activity from this browser, like previous Google searches. We also use cookies and data to tailor the experience to be age-appropriate, if relevant.
Select “More options” to see additional information, including details about managing your privacy settings. You can also visit g.co/privacytools at any time.
Track outages and protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
Measure audience engagement and site statistics to understand how our services are used and enhance the quality of those services
If you choose to “Accept all,” we will also use cookies and data to
Develop and improve new services
Deliver and measure the effectiveness of ads
Show personalized content, depending on your settings
Show personalized ads, depending on your settings
If you choose to “Reject all,” we will not use cookies for these additional purposes.
Non-personalized content is influenced by things like the content you’re currently viewing, activity in your active Search session, and your location. Non-personalized ads are influenced by the content you’re currently viewing and your general location. Personalized content and ads can also include more relevant results, recommendations, and tailored ads based on past activity from this browser, like previous Google searches. We also use cookies and data to tailor the experience to be age-appropriate, if relevant.
Select “More options” to see additional information, including details about managing your privacy settings. You can also visit g.co/privacytools at any time.
"electric" - Google News
September 23, 2023 at 05:39AM
https://ift.tt/yko8Aae
Oregon electric vehicles are selling fast but barriers remain, report finds - Oregon Public Broadcasting
"electric" - Google News
https://ift.tt/YhQELrS
https://ift.tt/KynlvAR
Track outages and protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
Measure audience engagement and site statistics to understand how our services are used and enhance the quality of those services
If you choose to “Accept all,” we will also use cookies and data to
Develop and improve new services
Deliver and measure the effectiveness of ads
Show personalized content, depending on your settings
Show personalized ads, depending on your settings
If you choose to “Reject all,” we will not use cookies for these additional purposes.
Non-personalized content is influenced by things like the content you’re currently viewing, activity in your active Search session, and your location. Non-personalized ads are influenced by the content you’re currently viewing and your general location. Personalized content and ads can also include more relevant results, recommendations, and tailored ads based on past activity from this browser, like previous Google searches. We also use cookies and data to tailor the experience to be age-appropriate, if relevant.
Select “More options” to see additional information, including details about managing your privacy settings. You can also visit g.co/privacytools at any time.
Track outages and protect against spam, fraud, and abuse
Measure audience engagement and site statistics to understand how our services are used and enhance the quality of those services
If you choose to “Accept all,” we will also use cookies and data to
Develop and improve new services
Deliver and measure the effectiveness of ads
Show personalized content, depending on your settings
Show personalized ads, depending on your settings
If you choose to “Reject all,” we will not use cookies for these additional purposes.
Non-personalized content is influenced by things like the content you’re currently viewing, activity in your active Search session, and your location. Non-personalized ads are influenced by the content you’re currently viewing and your general location. Personalized content and ads can also include more relevant results, recommendations, and tailored ads based on past activity from this browser, like previous Google searches. We also use cookies and data to tailor the experience to be age-appropriate, if relevant.
Select “More options” to see additional information, including details about managing your privacy settings. You can also visit g.co/privacytools at any time.
During your trial you will have complete digital access to FT.com with everything in both of our Standard Digital and Premium Digital packages.
Standard Digital includes access to a wealth of global news, analysis and expert opinion. Premium Digital includes access to our premier business column, Lex, as well as 15 curated newsletters covering key business themes with original, in-depth reporting. For a full comparison of Standard and Premium Digital, click here.
Change the plan you will roll onto at any time during your trial by visiting the “Settings & Account” section.
What happens at the end of my trial?
If you do nothing, you will be auto-enrolled in our premium digital monthly subscription plan and retain complete access for 65 € per month.
For cost savings, you can change your plan at any time online in the “Settings & Account” section. If you’d like to retain your premium access and save 20%, you can opt to pay annually at the end of the trial.
You may also opt to downgrade to Standard Digital, a robust journalistic offering that fulfils many user’s needs. Compare Standard and Premium Digital here.
Any changes made can be done at any time and will become effective at the end of the trial period, allowing you to retain full access for 4 weeks, even if you downgrade or cancel.
When can I cancel?
You may change or cancel your subscription or trial at any time online. Simply log into Settings & Account and select "Cancel" on the right-hand side.
You can still enjoy your subscription until the end of your current billing period.
What forms of payment can I use?
We support credit card, debit card and PayPal payments.
Chinese share of European EV market up to 8% this year
BRUSSELS, Sept 13 (Reuters) - The European Commission launched an investigation on Wednesday into whether to impose punitive tariffs to protect European Union producers against cheaper Chinese electric vehicle (EV) imports it says are benefiting from state subsidies.
"Global markets are now flooded with cheaper electric cars. And their price is kept artificially low by huge state subsidies," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her annual address to the bloc's parliament, seen by many in Brussels as a pitch for her re-appointment for a second term.
The Commission will have up to 13 months to assess whether to impose tariffs above the standard 10% EU rate for cars in its highest profile case against China since an EU probe into Chinese solar panels narrowly avoided a trade war a decade ago.
The anti-subsidy investigation covers battery-powered cars from China, so also includes non-Chinese brands made there, such as Tesla (TSLA.O), Renault (RENA.PA) and BMW (BMWG.DE). It is also unusual in that it is brought by the European Commission itself, rather than in response to an industry complaint.
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce to the EU said it was very concerned and opposed to the investigation's launch and that the sector's competitive advantage was not due to subsidies. It urged the EU to look at Chinese electric vehicles objectively.
Tensions between China and the EU have been growing, partly due to Beijing's closer ties with Moscow after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The EU is seeking to reduce its reliance on the world's second-largest economy, particularly for materials and products needed for its green transition.
European carmakers have realised they have a fight on their hands to produce lower-cost electric vehicles and erase China's lead in developing cheaper models.
Chinese EV makers, from market-leader BYD (002594.SZ) to smaller rivals Xpeng (9868.HK) and Nio (9866.HK), are stepping up efforts to expand overseas as competition intensifies at home and domestic growth eases. China's auto exports surged 31% in August, China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data showed.
The European Commission said China's share of EVs sold in Europe has risen to 8% and could reach 15% in 2025, noting prices are typically 20% below EU-made models. Popular Chinese models exported to Europe include SAIC's MG and Geely's Volvo.
Reuters Graphics
Shares of Chinese EV producers fell after the EU announcement. BYD shares, which were trading 4.5% higher before the news, closed down 2.8%, while Nio fell 1% and Xpeng dropped 2.5%.
Shares in Europe's carmakers - Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), BMW and Mercedes Benz (MBGn.DE) and Stellantis (STLAM.MI) - got a brief, early boost on the news before erasing much of the gains. VW was up 0.2%, while Stellantis was down 0.2% at 1415 GMT.
GRINDING GEARS
The influx of cheaper Chinese electric vehicles has already prompted some European carmakers to take action. Renault announced in July that it aimed to slash production costs for its electric models by 40%.
Like other EV makers, it also faces increased pressure from U.S. rival Tesla, which has cut prices several times this year even as that has eaten into its margins.
But Germany's VDA auto association said the EU must take into account a possible backlash from China and focus on creating the conditions for European players to succeed - from lowering electricity prices to reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
Germany's car industry relies on China for a large proportion of its sales revenue and has long advocated keeping trade doors open.
Von der Leyen stressed the importance of electric vehicles to the EU's ambitious environmental objectives.
"Europe is open to competition. Not for a race to the bottom," she said, noting the EU did not want to repeat the experience of its solar panel industry, which was decimated by cheaper Chinese imports.
"This is the start of a long journey," said analyst Simone Tagliapietra of think tank Bruegel. "It could ultimately work, but this must go in parallel with an active industrial policy to make sure EU industry quickly develops its competitiveness."
Chinese state subsidies for electric and hybrid vehicles were $57 billion from 2016-2022, according to consulting firm AlixPartners, helping China become the world's biggest EV producer and to pass Japan as the largest auto exporter in the first quarter of this year.
China terminated a generous 11-year subsidy scheme for EV purchases in 2022 but some local authorities have continued to offer aid or tax rebates to attract investments, as well as subsidies for consumers.
The EU investigation is looking at a broad range of possible unfair subsidies, from prices for raw materials and batteries, to preferential lending or cheap provision of land.
Reuters Graphics
The founder of Nio warned in April that Chinese EV makers should brace for the possibility that foreign governments would impose protectionist policies.
He estimated his company and Chinese peers had a cost advantage of as much as 20% over rivals such as Tesla thanks to China's grip over the supply chain and raw materials.
Kingsmill Bond, senior principal in the strategy team at the Rocky Mountain Institute, said Chinese producers in 2022 benefited from EV battery prices of $130 per kilowatt hour against a global price of $151.
Reporting by Foo Yun Chee and Philip Blenkinsop; additional reporting by Kim Miyoung, Brenda Goh, Anne Marie Roantree, Nick Carey, Kate Abnett and Victoria Waldersee; editing by Gabriela Baczynska and Louise Heavens
When I first covered the ARK Zero electric microcar, its specs and pricing sounded too good be true. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” I quipped. Well I guess now I have to believe it, as the company says it has begun making deliveries and shared its first on-road photos.
According to the company, initial deliveries of the ultra-budget vehicle have begun in the UK and France.
Priced at just £5,995 (approximately US $7,500), the UK-based ARK Zero is likely the most affordable electric microcar in the west.
Technically classified as a quadricycle, it is designed to fulfill the car needs of urban dwellers, as long as they don’t need to go too fast or carry more than two people.
The small-statured four-wheeler has a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) and an understated 2.2 kW (3 horsepower) electric motor. It’s the same style of rear axle-mounted electric motor used on Chinese micro-cars like my cute little Minghong or my electric mini-truck.
The seating looks like a tandem setup with a pair of seats placed one behind the other, fighter pilot style.
The specs aren’t exactly mind-blowing, but that’s likely because the Ark Zero appears to be designed to meet the lower-performance L6e category of quadricycles.
As an electric vehicle, owners will be able to take advantage of reduced maintenance costs and lower fuel bills, as CEO Yilmaz Bora explained.
At ARK Motors, we are committed to creating the future of urban mobility that is smarter, smoother, and greener. By eliminating fossil fuel reliance and embracing electric vehicles like the ARK Zero, we can foster positive change in our communities and protect our planet for future generations.
ARK’s whirlwind path to production has blown by eerily quickly, with the company going from product announcement before the end of the second quarter this year to supposed first deliveries now starting before the end of the third quarter.
Could you see yourself traveling around your city? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comment section below.
Electrek’s Take
I was skeptical when I first heard about ARK, and deliveries are now welcome news, but I’d like to see one of these in real life before I make a final verdict.
The fact that you have to pay half of the price up front to reserve one combined with the fact that the company’s website still seems sprinkled with typos don’t bode well. The breakneck go-to-market speed to the apparent lack of online presence before May of this year are also still a bit worrisome to me.
But hey, the vehicle looks great, and if this company can deliver on its promises, then I’d drive one!
A US politician's publicity stunt designed to highlight the benefits of electric cars has backfired, after staffers blocked a charge point so the journey would run smoothly – prompting a stranded family to call police to intervene.
12:1212 September 2023
Above: US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
The US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm has been caught up in controversy after a four-day road trip in a convoy to promote the electric vehicles resulted in police being called to save a stranded family.
According to a report from news outlet NPR – which was invited to ride along on the trip – Secretary Granholm's advance team realised there wouldn't be enough chargers during a stop in a suburb of Georgia, and despatched an aide in a petrol-powered vehicle to 'reserve' a charger for the senior politician.
The practice, known as 'iceing', is when an internal-combustion engine (ICE) car blocks an electric charger – usually out of malice, lack of consideration, or ignorance that it is an electric-car parking spot.
The report claims "on a sweltering day, with a baby in the vehicle" a family was blocked from recharging their own electric car, with the frustrated parents eventually calling the police in an attempt to remove the aide's vehicle.
While many jurisdictions in the US and Australia have introduced fines to stop the blocking of chargers by non-electric vehicles, the local sheriff's department wasn't able to help, as blocking an electric-car charger isn't currently against the law in the state of Georgia.
The secretary's staff scrambled to fix the situation, eventually making room for both the family and Ms Granholm's electric cars to charge.
Above: US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in 2022. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images.
Despite the media stunt being designed to encourage the switch to electric cars, the incident has been widely reported and has instead highlighted the infrastructure bottlenecks accompanying the emerging technology.
"Clearly, we need more high-speed chargers, particularly in the South," Secretary Granholm told NPR at the end of the road trip, but highlighted a $US7.5 billion ($AU11.7 billion) investment by the US Government in building electric-car chargers throughout the country.
"By the end of this year, I think we'll start to see [those chargers] popping up along the charging corridors."
Ben Zachariah is an experienced writer and motoring journalist from Melbourne, having worked in the automotive industry for more than 15 years. Ben was previously an interstate truck driver and completed his MBA in Finance in early 2021. He is considered an expert in the area of classic car investment.
"electric" - Google News
September 12, 2023 at 09:13AM
https://ift.tt/SZvufPG
US Energy Secretary under fire for blocking electric-car charger to reserve a spot – report - Drive
"electric" - Google News
https://ift.tt/PQSdnyI
https://ift.tt/37weWGC
JERUSALEM, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Israel is expecting a huge jump in electric vehicle use by the end of the decade, when nearly a third of cars will be charged by the power grid rather than using gasoline, the Energy Ministry said on Tuesday.
This will add significant stress to the national power grid, accounting for 6% of total demand, and require a tenfold expansion in battery charging capacity, the ministry said.
The forecast comes as the government is reexamining its energy export policy, with the aim of boosting natural gas exports across the region while making sure it keeps enough reserves to meet the demand of a rapidly growing population.
Israel's newfound natural gas deposits are its main power source.
About 1.3 million cars, or 30% of the country's total, will be electric by 2030. That is up from 70,000 today, which is less than 2%, the ministry said in an official forecast. By 2050, the ministry expects all 6 million cars on the road to be electric.
The increase is expected despite a hike in taxes on electric cars. The tax rate is due to jump to 35% in 2024 from 20% this year. But that will be offset by lost income from the sale of gasoline, which is taxed 50%.
In addition, about 35% of buses will be electric by 2030, it said.
Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Sharon Singleton
Electric vehicles are taking up an increasing percentage of the overall auto market share every year — rising from 4% in 2020 to 14% last year. Among the holdouts, a lack of charging infrastructure seems to be one of consumers' most common reasons for not switching from gas to electric vehicles.
But now, electric road projects are appearing across the world as a potential solution to supplement static charging, allowing EV drivers to wirelessly charge their cars while they drive.
"This is really an approach that can charge vehicles in any type of shape, meaning vehicles that are both buses or vans or passenger cars or trucks — but it can also charge a vehicle while either driving or while standing still," Stefan Tongur, VP of U.S. business development at Electreon, told CNBC.
Israel-based Electreon is one wireless EV charging provider with many pilot projects and case studies in operation in Sweden, Norway and Italy, among others. One project in Sweden, which connects the airport to the town of Visby, cost about $10.5 million and was almost entirely financed by the Swedish Transport Administration.
Electreon is also taking part in the first electric road project in the U.S. in Detroit, which is expected to be constructed within the next year.
"We really are looking hard within this pilot project to look at the different use cases that are out there," Michele Mueller, senior project manager of connected and automated vehicles at the Michigan Department of Transportation, told CNBC. "There are use cases for freight, transit, but then also passenger vehicles."
Electreon
Electric roads could prove to be most useful for public transportation and fleet vehicles, which often drive on the same repetitive routes. Wireless charging roads at bus stops, for example, could give a bus enough charge to last throughout the day.
"We don't view 100% of roads being electrified, but we definitely see this technology being viable... financially and also essential in rural areas where we might not have a lot of charging stations or we have what we call charging deserts," Nadia Gkritza, professor of civil and biological engineering at Purdue University, said.
"electric" - Google News
September 11, 2023 at 07:00PM
https://ift.tt/xi4Wry0
How electrified roads could help fix America's electric vehicle charging problem - CNBC
"electric" - Google News
https://ift.tt/VL02jsx
https://ift.tt/OKXfgT1
FILE – An International Electric MV Series truck is seen on display in Austin, Texas, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, FIle)
There is no shortage of Democrats, liberals, academics, entertainers and members of the media who seemingly hate former President Donald Trump with every fiber of their being. And guess what? There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Such expression of hatred is not only protected under the Constitution, but is their right as human beings.
But when does such hatred morph into rejecting opinions or policies that may be good for the American people, or condoning polices which may be bad for the nation, simply because one wants to “stick it to Trump,” or not admit he can be correct about anything?
In the minds of those who hate him, has Trump ever been correct about any policy? Ever? After Trump worked for decades at the highest levels of business before entering the Oval Office, should any of his opinions on policy be entertained? Or at least, debated? Ever?
For instance, last Monday, Trump put out two posts on Truth Social calling out the “Madness” regarding the Biden administration’s push for electric vehicles (EVs). Said the former president in the first post:
“The Great State of Michigan will not have an auto industry anymore if Crooked Joe Biden’s crazed concept of ‘all Electric Cars’ goes into effect. CHINA WILL TAKE IT ALL, 100%. United Auto Workers, VOTE FOR TRUMP. Get your leaders to ENDORSE ME, I WILL KEEP ALL OF THESE GREAT JOBS, AND BRING IN MANY MORE. CHOICE IN SCHOOLS, AND CHOICE IN CARS!!!”
In the second post, Trump admonished Shawn Fain, the president of the United Auto Workers, for supporting Biden’s push for EVs:
“Shawn Fain, the respected President of the United Auto Workers, cannot even think about allowing ALL ELECTRIC CARS — THEY WILL ALL BE MADE IN CHINA, and the Auto Industry in America will cease to exist! … Vote for TRUMP, and I will stop this Madness, IMMEDIATELY! Mexico & Canada LOVE Biden’s idiotic policy. SAVE MICHIGAN and the other Auto States. SAVE THE AMERICAN CONSUMER!!!”
Now, leaving aside Trump’s overt politicking, does he have a point regarding the subject of the rush to embrace electric vehicles? To be sure, a number of serious people do have doubts about the wisdom of that strategy.
There are concerns regarding the disposal of the vehicles’ massive batteries; the toxic waste within those batteries; China’s domination of rare earth metals and the construction of those batteries; future blackouts or loss of our electric grid; and the performance of the EVs themselves.
During the last two hurricanes to hit Florida (Ian and Idalia), multiple EVs caught fire from the storm surge because of contact with saltwater. Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said after Ian, “We saw a number of fires associated with EVs from Hurricane Ian. We know that the saltwater from storm surge can compromise these batteries, causing fires which cannot be easily suppressed.”
In Florida, electric vehicle owners are now advised to park affected cars at least 50 feet away from any structures that could catch fire, after a home that managed to survive Ian ended up burning to the ground because of a saltwater-damaged Tesla.
This is on top of dubious claims about mileage and how good they are for the environment compared to fossil fuel internal-combustion vehicles.
Instead of the hated Trump, what if a highly respected progressive politician warned about the blind rush to embrace everything EV? Would that person be tuned out by the Trump haters? Doubtful.
Since the day Trump rode down the escalator at Trump Tower in June of 2015 to announce he was running for president, a percentage of Democrats, members of the media, academia, Hollywood and the “Never Trump” Republican neocon class started to become mentally unhinged. Now, eight years into the “Age of Trump,” many have lost touch with reality — they will never admit to any truth Trump may speak, or any truth which they fear may benefit him.
Worse than that, those out to get Trump at any cost have purposefully rejected reason and restraint while seemingly trampling the constitutionally protected right of free speech. Now no criminal charge against Trump — no matter how dubious — seems the least bit outlandish or even un-American to many liberals, the Democratic Party or much of the media.
Suddenly, it’s: “Indict Trump for making political statements or challenging the result of an election? Sure. Have Trump’s name removed from the ballot in certain states via a misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment? Why not. Can we also indict him for jaywalking or once tearing the tag off a mattress?”
To some, these actions have gone well beyond “cutting off your nose to spite your face.” These people are seemingly willing to hurt the American people as a way to punish a man who now lives rent free in their troubled minds.
Again, any and all are more than free to hate on Trump. That said, I can guarantee that should Trump become the Republican nominee against Biden (or any other Democrat) come 2024, he is going to repeatedly ask American voters the single most important question of the campaign: “Were you better off four years ago than you are now?”
Tens of millions of Americans do believe Trump is either correct about various policies or that he initiated winning policies. Will those voters be enough to overwhelm the Trump haters? We will soon find out.
Douglas MacKinnon, a political and communications consultant, was a writer in the White House for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, and former special assistant for policy and communications at the Pentagon during the last three years of the Bush administration.
"electric" - Google News
September 09, 2023 at 11:00PM
https://ift.tt/iGrDPLH
Can the hated Trump be correct about the ‘madness’ of electric vehicles — or any other policy? - The Hill
"electric" - Google News
https://ift.tt/OUDIV4u
https://ift.tt/LQhW4ub
/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/DEG4LHMSDROKHPU5LRONCG6J5M.jpg)
