Conrad Black: Pushing Customers to Purchase EVs Contradicts Market Realities
Commentary
As the exaggerated fear-mongering tactics linked to the intense focus on climate change are being abandoned by former supporters, Canada’s commitment to electric vehicles seems increasingly questionable. However, Canada has avoided the substantial financial investments made in the United States for the establishment of new charging stations, with only a few being operational so far.
Canada’s initial plan was to mandate and incentivize the nationwide adoption of electric vehicles without thorough consideration of factors like nickel supply for batteries, battery safety in emergency situations, required charging station infrastructure, vehicle manufacturing, and the fate of thousands of auto workers who would be displaced due to this rush towards untested mass transportation.
Electric cars certainly have their appeal. Their silence and lack of gasoline, a messy and flammable substance, are advantages, and their progression from experimental to reliable has been remarkable. Former Canadian Elon Musk, a driving force behind this transport revolution, envisioned it as a pathway to self-driving taxis and other innovative modes of transportation and delivery.
However, the comprehensive analysis of safety and supply chain complexities resulting from a hasty shift to electric vehicles and their components has not been fully carried out. Several governments, including Canada’s, have prematurely embraced this transition, citing the urgent need to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions drastically to avert global catastrophe.
A genuine consensus on the anthropogenic contribution to climate change is still lacking despite decades of warnings and predictions that have not materialized. Caution and continued research are crucial until a reliable consensus is achieved on necessary actions to combat pollution and preserve the planet.
