I'll be the first to say I'm all for technology, I'm the first to go and buy the latest tech products. However, I also still use what works the best for the application. All I hear from the auto industry leaders is the NEW electric vehicle technology coming up quick.
Living here in the Midwest (Kansas City) I can tell you we do not see many electric vehicles running around. I see the newer built stores, hotels, etc with electric charging stations in close-up parking spaces but never any vehicles hooked up to them.
It may be the future but I see a lot of roadblocks in the way before it will happen. The inability to go any kind of distance without re-charging, lack of power hauling and longevity of the batteries. The biggest elephant in the room is also the ability to charge the vehicles when at home since many of us have experienced blackouts from local utility companies just keeping up with air conditioning or heating.
It seems there are a lot that needs to be done before this transition takes place to replace fossil fuels. I do see more technology to stretch the use of fossil fuels so the vehicles can get more out of a gallon of fuel.
Face it, the pulling power of diesel vehicles delivers all of our food, supplies, and consumables to our local stores from great distances. Most of our local municipalities use diesel vehicles to service our neighborhoods and streets such as trash, service vehicles, snow removal, street repair and many other services.
Construction is powered pretty much by diesel fossil fuels including the people who work on the projects since they have to haul tools and trailers to distant locations. Progress would come to a screeching halt if we required that industry to convert to electric. Try going to a rental facility and ask to rent an electric backhoe or roller.
I have talked to several people in the battery supply chain and orders are high but the trouble is supply along with being able to recycle the EV batteries. The minerals used are in high demand for the EV batteries coming from 3rd world countries, the mining conditions are sub-level compared to modern standards.
So how long will it be for replacement - most likely not in my lifetime!
Yes, with demand I'm sure our country's technology will start to tackle some of these roadblocks but it will be many years and at what cost? The United States already leads the world countries for low emissions leaving the smallest footprint.
So I guess the next article will be why should we abandon our motorsports history and activities when the rest of the world countries do not care! Just asking?
Many lives currently relies on fossil fuels to get the job done everyday!
