EV Charging Will Get Better-Really
The April 23rd issue of the Los Angeles Times ran an opinion piece entitled: I’m Ready to Trade in My Electric Car. Here’s Why. Written by Mariel Garza, the Times’ Deputy Editorial Page Editor, the title caught my attention, so I read on.
Although Ms. Garza loves her Kia Niro EV, she seriously considers trading it in for a gas-powered hybrid plug-in version because she has had too many lousy charging experiences as she travels throughout California. Unfortunately, she is not alone in her assessment of public charging, and sales of EVs suffer because of the charging horror stories floating around the internet.
I want to point out that today’s charging problems are merely temporary as the system is constantly being expanded and upgraded. Plus, Tesla is gradually opening its network to non-Tesla drivers. There are also battery improvements that will improve the EV range and shorten the time it takes to recharge. So, some patience is in order as the world shifts gears.
While I agree that public charging on long trips can be a real pain, continuing to burn fossil fuels or going back to them is definitely not the solution. Not now. Not when we are at a critical point in the climate change crisis. Not when the experts tell us that we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% over the next few years or face dire consequences thereafter.
EVs, in one form or another (cars, buses, bikes. or scooters), are our only solution. So, I offer two options for all of those concerned with the charging of their (or future) EVs:
- Buy a Tesla. Even their great charging network doesn’t completely solve the problem, but it sure makes a huge difference
- Live with it. This is for those of us whose budget can’t handle the price of the Tesla.
The secret to making Option 2 work is to simply reevaluate the situation. We drive EVs because we have to stop burning fossil fuels to prevent catastrophic climate changes that, at some time in the future, will make human life impossible. The threat is real and possibly the most significant ever faced by the human race. If we genuinely believe this, then suffering a few minor sacrifices today to alter the outcome becomes not a problem but our duty. And yes, it will be inconvenient, cost us more, cause delays, and maybe leave us stranded. So what!
We enjoy our world of today only because of the millions in the past who sacrificed everything in places such as Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Normandy, Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, and way too many more. So surely we can suffer today’s inconveniences of public charging.
