Re:First town in America to ban new gas stations
by nivenkos on Wednesday August 18, 2021 @10:27AM
(#28221379)
But you write as though that privilege is an inalienable right?
No-one is going to confiscate all gasoline vehicles, but they need to pay for the externalities in air pollution, CO2 emissions and noise pollution, etc.
If the US paid $6+ a gallon like most of Europe does, I think the tide would change pretty soon.
Re:First town in America to ban new gas stations
by lucaspm98 on Wednesday August 18, 2021 @10:46AM
(#28221700)
In the US having access to a car is much more of a necessity for work, shopping, and travel than it is in Europe due to suburban sprawl and lack of public transportation. I can't say it's a right, but it is a need for practically everyone outside of dense urban centers.
The average EV costs $19k more than the average gas-powered car. This gap is closing but for the time being only upper-middle to upper class Americans can switch to EVs, so making gas artificially scarce/expensive will disproportionately affect those who can't afford to make the switch.
For me, an EV needs about 8 miles of range for commuting, and about 1000 for vacation, and it's just silly to own 992 extra miles of battery the other 355 days a year.
Which is to say, I think we're rushing prematurely into completely ending gasoline vehicles. They should be phased out, but "phased" is the operative word -- let some linger in applications where they're still better suited. I currently drive a hybrid and I plan to replace it with a PHEV, not a BEV, for that reason.