An American Saga: The Ongoing Struggle Over Pollution from our Cars and Trucks
In this corner, we have Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency, continuing in its ferocious assault on fuel mileage and pollution standards for cars sold within the United States. The prospective winners? The car companies. The losers: Everyone with lungs.
In the other corner, we have the state of California, perennial champion of said standards, legendary for its incredible victories in removing most of the smog from its skies.
The fight looks like this: California is saying, if you want the air in Boise, Idaho to look like that in Seoul, Korea, that’s regrettable, but there’s nothing we can do about it. If you think that’s happening in California, you’re out of your *&^# minds.
Anything that doesn’t conform to our environmental standards, and we don’t care if it’s a minibike, will not come across our state lines.
And Ford/GM/et. al.? Try to make your economics work when you can’t sell a single hubcap to the 37 million people in a state that accounts for (by far) more vehicle miles traveled than any other.
Craig,
Why so belligerent ?
The Auto companies you are so busy lambasting and railing against, have for several years produced fully electric vehicles. These vehicles are made in the US by American workers and produce no emissions, especially if you refuel from solar power.
These include :
Telsa : Made in California ! For the last 5 years you could have bought a Tesla model S and enjoyed free renewable power from Tesla. The Californian and federal government would have kicked in over $ 15,000 to assist your decision.
Tesla Model X : Affordable, range beating large SUV, 5 to 7 seat configuration, excellent performance, great utility, and cool styling. Qualifies for all Government subsidies
Tesla model 3 : Available this year. Affordable Tesla Sedan EV. Qualifies for all Government subsidies
Chevy Volt: Made in USA : Range extended hybrid, but an American made Hybrid.
Chevy Bolt : 5 seat, good range, excellent quality, fully EV. Qualifies for maximum Government incentives and competitively priced.Made in US by US workers.
Nissan Leaf: Made in Tennessee by US workers. Full EV, the world’s largest selling EV. Qualifies for all Government subsidies.
So, it looks like the Auto companies, the Federal government, along with California’s government have been doing everything possible, including offering $ billions in incentives to promote emission free vehicles, so what’s lacking ?
Is it the man in the White House ?
Nope it turns out it’s YOU !
Yeah, I know you love to write about EV’s and how governments should make ’em compulsory etc, but will you put your money where your mouth is and actually pay out of your own pocket to set an example of what you preach ?
Hell no !
When it comes to paying a bit extra to support US workers and your environmental convictions, the enthusiasm seems strangely lacking ! ( I’ve deliberately left out other EV’s not made in the US but available for purchase in California)
It’s always the fault of someone else isn’t it ? It must be President Trump who prevented your from buying an EV, eh? Or maybe GM evil machinations ? Maybe Elon Musk didn’t make it quite clear he’s selling electric cars just down the road from where you live, is that why you missed out on buying a Tesla ? Or you didn’t like the colours Nissan offers for the Leaf , or GM’s Bolt’s hubcaps clash with your garage decor ?
What does it take to get you to practice the convictions which you preach, am I being too harsh ? I mean you’ve only had 5 years to support EV adoption by buying a practical, commercially available, American made EV !
Or are you secretly waiting to buy a European EV instead of the product of American workers and enterprise ?
Did you know President Trump has owned a Tesla Roadster since 2011, and a Model S since 2014, and his companies have ordered several model X ? Hmmm… speaking of the President, he and I are roughly the same size and age. (I’m blessed with better hair genetics :)).
The Tesla Roadster isn’t the easiest vehicle to access for those of us who enjoy our food, the BMW i* has the same problem. I’m hoping Tesla’s long promised new roadster model will prove a little more roomy.