The scaling problems facing battery electrics are dwarfed by those facing hydrogen. They’re also being aggressively solved in America, the EU and China.

Challenge. Where and how are these problems being addressed, other than hoping that people voluntary reduce demand when asked?

There are an absolute shit ton of battery factories being build. A huge ramp up in science and research.

There is also a huge ramp up in cathode and anode production facilities.

All major lithium companies have announced major build out of existing facilities and building new once as well.

A major expansion of both natural and synthetic graphite is being done.

Cobalt is not expanding as quickly but its getting systematically kicked out from the batteries anyway.

In addition to that, LFP batteries reduced the projected demand for nickel from batteries.

In addition to that CATL is introducing Sodium batteries as well.

So maybe you were not paying attention but there is a gigantic explosion in every part of the battery supply chain happening right now. With major private and public investment. There will still be some shortages of important materials, specially lithium however its certainty being worked on.

Of course there are also improvements in safety, reliability and so on. A huge amount of research and development.

Wave your magic wand to will everyone a Tesla, and watch the grid collapse the same instant.

While it remains to be seen if they build enough, they are planning for EVs. Where local laws allow it anyway. They see big $$$ from EVs replacing gas, and they want that money.

Many studies have been done and this and every study I have seen agrees that its not as big of a problem as many make it out to be.

In fact, I assume infrastructure for charging for EV owners without a home is the much larger infrastructure challenge.

> We could’ve replaced coal plants two decades ago, however, and reduced emissions by 20% globally

What we would have replaced coal with 20 years ago (and in fact what we did starting more than 20 years ago) is mostly natural gas, which itself pollutes, just less. (depending on what pollution you measure you will get different numbers for how much less) Wind and solar is coming along fast, and is also replacing coal plants (for nearly zero pollution) but we are already scaling those as fast as possible so to claim we could have done more 20 years ago is false.

I have been driving an electric car for 4 years, and it serves my needs beautifully. So, no, I strongly disagree. Electric cars are ready for most use cases and many people agree.

It’s weird how we have to have these silly discussions where people must know that they’re obviously wrong before commenting.

Replacing 1.3 billion cars is going to take decades.

I'm sure that the law will be rolled back a little when one of the 5-10% usecases where EVs don't work screams loud enough (probably shipping and remote areas), but it will become hard to find fuel for your gas car in a couple decades.

That gets us to around 2050.

27 years from now.

It’s weird how we have to have these silly discussions where people must know that they’re obviously wrong before commenting.

I agree . . . oh wait, you think I'm the one who is wrong. How bizarre.