Why are electric cars important for the future?

 Remember landline phones? When mobile phones first appeared in the 1980’s, they were bulky, expensive, had limited range and battery life. (Sound familiar?) But over the next couple decades, mobile phones became small and inexpensive as coverage improved. Then smart phones happened. And people began to realize they didn’t need a mobile phone and a separate landline at home. Mobile phones took over the market simply because they were better.

We also saw digital cameras change an industry. After a century of film manufacturing and developing, digital cameras quickly disrupted an established industry because they were better. Once quality improved and prices fell, there was no more reason to buy a film camera, especially when you could instantly view your photos and retake as many as needed.

Electric cars appeared to be similarly destined to take over the automotive industry. They were initially expensive and limited in their capabilities, but the gaps are shrinking. Electricity is clearly cheaper per mile driven than liquid fuels including gasoline, ethanol or diesel. Electric cars are nearly maintenance-free. But they are still under 2% of the US market.

It could be that they will just take more time, as mobile phones did. But something else is happening too: Electric cars have become very politicized in a highly partisan society.

A large segment of society has firmly aligned themselves against electric vehicles. They have seen:

• Images of Barack Obama in the front seat of a Chevrolet Volt
• Federal tax credits offering up to $7,500 credits for purchasers of an electric vehicle in the United States
• Public charging stations offering “free” power to drivers of an electric vehicle

Out of these comes ideological opposition from those who opposed Obama’s administration, disapprove of federal spending for programs they don’t favor, dislike any utility subsidies that are perceived to affect ratepayers.

Politics are tribal. Electric vehicles have become associated with the “green” movement and environmentalism. A large contingent have chosen to be climate change deniers and oppose any/all environmental actions, including any adoption of electric vehicles.

People protest that electric vehicles evade gas taxes. The state of Illinois proposed a $1,000 annual fee for owning an electric vehicle, a move that would likely kill any adoption of electric vehicles in the state if it were to pass.

Until we can get past the ideological divides, which are driven by tribal politics in the US, I cannot see how a majority will choose to drive electric vehicles. We will remain with those in favor and those opposed, and adoption is likely to remain a minority for the foreseeable future.