WEF Can’t Figure Out Why Only The Rich Buy Electric Cars

On August 29, 2022 By Steven SymesIn Automotive

Gee, this is a tough one.

I’ve noticed a consistent problem with how many executives in the automotive industry as well as people outside of the industry who want to influence its direction approach the adoption of electric cars. What I chock it up to is group think and a disconnect with the average citizens in Western countries, because our leaders can’t seem to understand why more aren’t buying a Tesla or other EVs.

This blithely elitist attitude is perfectly encapsulated in an article published by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Thomson Reuters Foundation trust, titled “This is how the US can make EV charging sites more accessible.”

Read more at Gears of Time

Charging Electric Cars Is Far From Easy

On August 22, 2022 By Steven SymesIn Automotive

This might make you think twice about taking the plunge.

Right now, the pressure inside the auto industry to cheerlead electric vehicles is tremendous. Automakers see this as a chance to make tons of money while weeding out smaller competitors since only the mega automakers can achieve the economies of scale apparently needed to profitably manufacturer EVs. The “green energy” industry also stands to gain tremendously from the push as people are told they need to go with solar or wind energy to further shrink their carbon footprint. But all of this comes at a tremendous cost, one of which you might not realize until it’s too late.

A new report from The Verge highlights a survey done by JD Power of EV and plug-in hybrid car owners. They contacted 11,554 people from January through June of this year, learning that overall people absolutely hate using public charging stations.

Read more at Gears of Time

Automotive News Roundup 8/19/2022

On August 19, 2022 By Steven SymesIn Automotive

Here are the automotive news stories you might have missed this week.

1. NHTSA boss steps down.

Steven Cliff, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has stepped down to take a job as executive officer at the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Confirmed by the Senate in May, Cliff’s tenure is shockingly short.

Read more at Gears of Time

Ralph Nader Wants Everyone To Panic About Tesla

On August 11, 2022 By Steven SymesIn Uncategorized

The DC establishment’s falling out of love with Elon Musk continues.

As I’ve pointed out before, Washington, D.C. has fallen out of love with Tesla, once its golden child, thanks to behavior it simply cannot tolerate from CEO Elon Musk. Adding to the recent dogpiling on the American automaker is Ralph Nader, a man who rose to prominence by sounding the alarm about the Chevy Corvair.

Some call Nader an opportunist. That’s a cynical take, but it’s understandable why. After all, the man nuked from existence a car he unclaimed was “unsafe at any speed.” That statement was categorically false and the Corvair has since been vindicated. Still, in many people’s minds, the Nader smear job sticks readily.

Read more at Gears of Time