State
of New York just passed a law. Basically, no sales will be allowed
of vehicles powered by gasoline as of 2035. More detailed explanations
are out there, the law involves passenger cars and trucks, with
the bottom-line targeting having to meet zero emission guidelines.
California
has passed similar legislation. Others are moving in that direction.
Several
times, I’ve pointed to the great tire dump off the coast of Florida
as the standard for understanding how to evaluate good intentions
gone very, very bad. I am a big believer that often when we rush
into action because something needs to be done, we fail to fully
understand the something we do. Not always. But often.
Consider
the alternatives to fossil-fuel vehicles.
Are
you able to drive cross-country without having to stop every few
hundred miles for a full recharge of the batteries?
And
what about the vehicle’s true environmental impact? For this,
I want you to learn about everything. Not just from the moment
you sign and take the keys. What went into designing and building
that vehicle? How were the batteries made? How will the batteries
be disposed? What is the cost? And… hold on… (I sense some murmurs.)
In
talking to a few people, when you first mention cost the immediate
response is that you can’t put a price tag on saving the planet.
On the surface, that is a very fair statement. Saving the planet,
protecting our environment and resources, these are extremely
important ideas that shouldn’t be viewed with a simple reading
of dollars and cents. But how deeply did you dive?
There
are studies that show many recycling plans are incredibly ineffective.
They are so poorly handled that reinvesting the money for some
programs in place into other actions would make a greater positive
impact on the environment. People demanded something get done,
something was put in place to do something, and then everyone
looked away while it failed to accomplish anything.
The
idea behind the 2035 date is to shift to alternative fuel vehicles
like electric and hydrogen powered cars. Good thought. We should
all be listening. But have you considered that the batteries need
power in order to be recharged? That means you considering it.
Not the engineers at the companies designing them. You do know
that you don’t just get to pocket the money spent on gasoline
and never see any other bills at your house rise as a response,
right? You do understand that taking vehicles off gasoline and
plugging them all in at charging stations means other sources
of energy may be needed to provide more, right? And, have you
heard about the alternative-fuel power sources that greatly increase
the use of water?
As
always, there is going to be a reaction to the action. Never,
never, never forget the reaction is coming. Being better for the
planet and being better as soon as we can is undeniably important.
But if you think options that use more electricity and more water
are a definite move in the right direction you may want to check
out the severe water issues being faced around the world or how
your local power is being produced.
It’s
not a question of if things will improve. They will. The process
of production will become more efficient. Batteries? Eventually
they will power cross-country travels without a recharge stop
being required. And you need to set targets in order to reach
them, so placing a date in 2035 is perfectly understandable and
a good thing. We need to feel a sense of urgency and get moving
on the improvements.
I
just don’t want to see laughter in 2035 or after. Let’s make sure
things are being fully investigated… not judged by blurbs and
snippets and soundbites from people with interests in a portion
of the results (with many losing support if a full picture is
viewed)… so we can avoid a Goodyear Blimp golden tire drop legacy.
Here’s
just one thought… would requirements for hybrid vehicles set earlier
than 2035 generate significant benefits and potentially improve
the understanding of those reactions that will hit down the road?
I
absolutely want to be better. I want to do better. I just hope
that we actually are better. And I think there are ways all of
us can take a moment… not a long moment, just a brief moment…
to make certain our actions will be better.