Automologist Harold thinks the world’s automotive industry has been deceived by “EV Evangelists”.
The claim of the “EV evangelists” that the electric vehicle is the world’s saviour against global greenhouse gases (GGG)/climate change is a BIG LIE! On the contrary, it is a fact that EVs are worse than gasoline- and diesel-powered (internal combustion engine) cars, considering a more comprehensive picture. In other words, EVs have no meaningful impact on GGG reduction.
Truth # 1- Cars only account for about 7% of GGG emissions—Wrong Target!
9% of global car registrations are now EVs. Some countries have far higher percentages than that and a lot have lower. It is a bit scary as the world automotive industry is now seriously headed towards car electrification, which is actually based on flawed assumptions, biased data and deluded conclusions.
Prior to the pandemic, GGG reached 51 billion tons per year but in 2020, due to sheer reduction in commercial, agricultural and industrial activities, it went down to 31 billion tons. As we return to normalcy, we will be back to 50 billion tons and growing unless we address this problem squarely.
Reliable global statistics revealed that 43% of GGG comes from the industrial, manufacturing and commercial sector, 33% from the agricultural sector, only 16% from the transport (air, sea and land) sector, 7% from households and buildings and 1% Others. Of the 16% from the transport industry, 45% of that are from cars. Hence, cars contribute only 7.2% of GGG emissions. Why then are governments focusing the global GGG reduction strategy on cars?—Wrong Target!
Truth # 2 – EVs get their power ultimately from power plants that use coal and fossil fuel.
This is where many people are deceived. Even when all cars become electric, they will still be contributing to GGG emissions as all our power stations most likely are generating electricity from coal and fossil fuels. In China alone, there are over 1,200 coal-powered plants and 300 more being constructed. In the Philippines, there is still a huge number of power plants that are either diesel-fired or bunker (IFO) fired. So, we are just moving the point of pollution from the car’s tailpipe to the power plant’s exhaust pipes!
Admittedly, there is a lower effective GG emissions per unit from an EV than an ICE car but overall, even if all cars are electric, we can only reduce about 3% of GGG emissions. Hence, the whole cost of infrastructure, industry disruptions, manpower dislocation, natural resource dislocation and environmental damage caused by the shift to EVs is not worth the 3% GGG Emissions reduction! EVs therefore, from a global standpoint, have very little impact on GGG reduction. Taken per capita, it is more costly in the short term and over the long term to convert to EVs than continue with ICE cars. So, what economic benefits are these EV evangelists talking about?
Truth # 3- Battery-making and waste disposal are very dirty and environmentally disastrous! And if China manufactures most of them, then the global automotive industry will be controlled by China.
The manufacture and disposal of battery waste are phenomenally dirty and environmentally damaging that no civilized country will ever want to manufacture it or dispose of its waste. And, which country tolerates all this garbage? China! Experts estimate that in the future, 70% of EV batteries will be manufactured in China. Then, China will control the world’s automotive industry.
People complain of being controlled and manipulated by OPEC, which has many member countries. How about 70% of your battery “fuel” coming from one country? Isn’t that scarier?
Truth # 4- Four countries contribute 56% to GGG emissions. Why not target them?
Reliable data sources reveal that 56% of GGG emissions come from just four countries: 32% from China, 12.6% USA, 6.7% India and 4.7% Russia. If efforts were focused on these 4 countries, there would be a far more meaningful impact on GGG reduction. This will dwarf all efforts on EV. In fact, the whole of Europe only contributes 7% to GGG emissions.
The key is to intensify the shift of the energy sources of these four countries particularly to green fuel. These should have been the focus of governments instead of wasting resources on EV’s.
Truth # 5- Nuclear energy is cleaner and can be cheaper than coal.
It is a fact that coal is the dirtiest of all the energy fuels, not to mention its reserves are running low too. There is a lot of effort in renewable energy like wind, but it is not a stable source as it is dependent on the weather not to mention the land that has to be cleared for building the windmill infrastructure. Solar and hydro are weather dependent too and hence, not regularly dependable in most countries.
What was demonised some 40 to 50 years ago was nuclear energy. So the world has decelerated in maximizing nuclear energy uses and technological innovation. It is now being established that it is a far more dependable, cleaner and cheaper source of energy. China is reported to be building 400 nuclear power plants.
I learned from one known economist that stating problems without proposing a solution is destructive behaviour. Hence, let me endeavour to offer solutions or at least suggestions that I have gathered from various sources. Here are some of them:
1. Countries should stop legally mandating the use of electric vehicles. Give the people a choice, will you?!
2. EVs should have green energy sources to be meaningful.
3. Intensify research and development on hydrogen fuel. It is probably the best alternative to fossil fuels.
4. Expand nuclear energy usage.
5. Accelerate phasing out of coal-fired plants.
6. Focus government and watchdog efforts on China, USA, India and Russia to shift energy sources to green energy.
7. Stop demonising internal combustion engine cars.
And by the way, while waiting for these developments to happen, please ensure that you find ways to reduce your fossil fuel consumption for your ICE engines and proven ways are to service your car regularly, ensure better lubrication using X-1R Engine Treatments and ensure a cleaner fuel system using the X-1R Petrol or Diesel Decarboniser. If you want X-1R products delivered to your doorstep or want to enquire further, please call or text +63 956 809 5284, chat at www.facebook.com/X1R Philippines or visit www.x1rasia.com.
