Staff Reports
In a recent announcement, President Biden has set an ambitious goal for the future of the automotive industry, wanting half of all new cars sold in 2030 to be zero-emissions vehicles. Critics, however, have raised serious doubts about the feasibility of this plan, pointing out that the current infrastructure is nowhere near ready to support such a massive shift.
The concerns surrounding the push for zero-emissions vehicles are not without merit. California’s power grid has struggled to cope with the increased demand for electricity during hot weather, and there are fears that this will only worsen if more electric cars hit the roads. In addition, in Florida, extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, have led to the saltwater corrosion of electric vehicle batteries, sparking numerous EV fires that are notoriously difficult to extinguish.
Chicago's Arctic Conditions Turn Tesla Ownership Into a Nightmare https://t.co/CA9QA11LkT
— European American 🇺🇸 ✝️ (@Veritas86511) January 17, 2024
As if those problems weren’t enough, Tesla owners in Chicago have faced their own set of challenges with their electric vehicles. During a recent cold snap that saw temperatures plummet to the negative double-digits, charging stations were inundated with dead EVs, leaving frustrated owners stranded with no way to power up their cars.
One Tesla owner, Tyler Beard, expressed his exasperation after spending hours at a supercharging station, only to find his car still at zero percent battery. Similar scenes played out at charging stations across the Chicago area, with long lines and abandoned vehicles becoming a common sight.
Chalis Mizelle, another Tesla owner, was forced to leave her car behind and rely on a friend for a ride when her vehicle refused to charge. The situation led another individual to humorously label the abandoned cars as “dead robots,” highlighting the absurdity of the predicament.
While Tesla’s website suggests pre-heating the battery before arriving at a charging spot or preconditioning it before driving to a location, many owners insisted that the issue lay with the charging stations themselves. Adding to their frustration was the apparent lack of assistance from the company, leaving them feeling stranded and unsupported.
The chaos and inconvenience experienced by these Tesla owners serve as a stark reminder that electric vehicles still have a long way to go before they can be considered a reliable and practical choice for the masses. With these predicaments unfolding, it becomes evident that the promise of EVs as the way of the future might be nothing more than a far-fetched fantasy.
Thankfully, the majority of Americans have not been swayed by the flashy allure of electric cars and continue to rely on tried-and-true gas vehicles. As President Biden pushes forward with his unrealistic goals, it is reassuring to know that the public sees through the facade and remains loyal to the dependable gas-powered vehicles that have served them well for generations.
