Cars, including EVs are bad. Climate tax on EVs to encourage public transport use is good climate policy. I’m not trying to imply that’s what’s happening here. European EVs aren’t* better. I just want to push back against EVs being a viable strategy for fighting climate change.
*In theory it’s possible for a European made product to be made with the same emissions as a Chinese made product, and then there would be one fewer ship journey involved in delivering it to customers. But in reality, European production has higher emissions because of laxer environmental protection mandates.
But I agree with the sentiment of your comment 100%. There’s evil desire among our policy makers to limit Chinese solar panels in the EU. Everyone’s priority should be to maximise solar panel use, even if that means having to fully subside production. There shouldn’t be any scenario where a manufacturer in China is willing to sell us solar panels and we put up barriers to that sale.
I’m fully aware that EVs won’t solve the climate crisis. And, of course leaders in the west, especially the US, pitch consumerism as the solution to climate change. Unfortunately for many people, myself included, we have no option but to to drive as public transit has been purposefully dismantled, and opting for EVs (when already buying a car) is one of the only real choices that has any noticeable climate impact.
Cars, including EVs are bad. Climate tax on EVs to encourage public transport use is good climate policy. I’m not trying to imply that’s what’s happening here. European EVs aren’t* better. I just want to push back against EVs being a viable strategy for fighting climate change.
*In theory it’s possible for a European made product to be made with the same emissions as a Chinese made product, and then there would be one fewer ship journey involved in delivering it to customers. But in reality, European production has higher emissions because of laxer environmental protection mandates.
But I agree with the sentiment of your comment 100%. There’s evil desire among our policy makers to limit Chinese solar panels in the EU. Everyone’s priority should be to maximise solar panel use, even if that means having to fully subside production. There shouldn’t be any scenario where a manufacturer in China is willing to sell us solar panels and we put up barriers to that sale.
I’m fully aware that EVs won’t solve the climate crisis. And, of course leaders in the west, especially the US, pitch consumerism as the solution to climate change. Unfortunately for many people, myself included, we have no option but to to drive as public transit has been purposefully dismantled, and opting for EVs (when already buying a car) is one of the only real choices that has any noticeable climate impact.