George Denzinger took the time to write a lengthy follow up to our “Quotes” post, “If automakers focused more on efficiency would there be less pressure to go EV?” This is the kind of deeper thinking I would like to cultivate, so I am elevating this comment to the front page as a letter to the editor:
It’s the fear of the battery-powered electric vehicle (BEV), which is what I really think the original post is about. Like others mentioned in their posts, every time the price of transportation fuel rises in the U.S., the news crews head out to local gas stations to interview the “man in the street,” fueling up their King Laredo 3500 4×4 Extendocab Longbed. It’s as reliable as death and taxes.
Oddly, they never seem to ask folks filling up a Prius. IINM, the current average internal combustion engined vehicle has never been this fuel efficient or least pollution-emitting (when properly tuned), ever.
In some regards, I don’t know how to feel about the tide of BEVs that are about to be released. The logical side of me is enamored with the idea of being able to “fuel-up” at home every time it’s needed, potentially less maintenance and less materials used and consumed. OTOH, while I own my home and am properly set up for such a scenario, I recognize that many people do not live as I do and conceivably have difficulty charging a BEV in their living situation.
Also see ‘A few thoughts on skepticism about an EV transition led by Tesla’
I really do think that once we (collectively) get our minds wrapped around the idea of a vehicle that does not require a large percentage of vehicle space just for fuel storage, delivery and propulsion mechanisms, a new era of creativity will emerge. Just as the widespread adoption of FWD power trains made huge differences in the average automobile, I think the adoption of BEV propulsion will have an even greater effect.
However, people’s minds change slowly, slower than technology evolves. Plus, there is a whole emotional component to our automotive passion that can be blind to technology. I’m also one of those people, as I still would like to have a RWD V8-powered pony car in the future.
— George Denzinger
RE:SOURCES
- wildaboutcarsonline.com (Automotive History Preservation Society): Dodge Challenger (2020); Tesla Model S (2016)
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Wow, I got two mentions in one year! Thanks for the accolades, but I’m just a working stiff who likes history and automobiles.
I don’t know how you guessed the object of my recent obsession in the last photo of this post. I didn’t allude to it in my post. But, a Challenger would be a real treat for me.