Staff Reports
The latest findings show that the Biden administration’s push for electric vehicles (EVs) could lead to some serious waiting times at charging stations—think long lines at the DMV, but with the snazzy addition of a state-of-the-art battery-powered vehicle still stuck on “empty.” According to the Energy Policy Research Foundation, if the current trajectory holds, drivers may find themselves cooling their heels for an hour just to get a charge unless the nation builds an astonishing 166,000 additional fast charging stations at the bargain price of $3.4 billion.
Speaking of ambitious plans, recent EV mandates under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards will require automakers to step up their production of electric vehicles. The new rules, which are about as welcome as a skunk at a picnic among conservatives, limit carbon dioxide emissions and are intended to spook manufacturers into shoving their fleets toward electrification. It’s a tall order and will require a facilities overhaul that makes building a new Walmart look like a weekend DIY project.
Car buyers reject Biden's EV mandate, half of EV owners planning to switch back to gas-powered cars
A separate survey of businesses that build electric vehicle charging stations found that three out of four can't find enough electricity to make their stations viable.… pic.twitter.com/J5tGidECN5
— Trump2024_no_matter_what (@TexasTrump2024) June 28, 2024
Republican lawmakers have been sounding the alarm on these mandates since before they officially took effect. Their warnings claim the rules not only squeeze consumer choice but could also lead to eye-popping costs that might find more everyday Americans opting for a trusty gas guzzler instead. After all, why stand around waiting for a charge when you can fill up the tank in five minutes and be on your way, all while enjoying the soothing hum of that internal combustion engine?
The research indicates that many of the cars currently on the market, like the Toyota Camry and Nissan Rogue, will emit far too much pollution to comply with the stringent new standards. Automakers, facing the prospect of fines that could make a dentist’s bill suddenly seem trivial, will need to either pivot to hybrids or go all-in on EVs. Unfortunately for them, too many hybrids might not even cut it when the rules tighten even further. That’s like chasing an impossible dream, all while whistling past the graveyard of declining consumer choices.
Despite initial funding for charging stations, the reality on the ground is more sobering. The recent efforts by the Biden administration’s $7.5 billion budget have yet to yield a significant number of operational fast chargers, making the prospect of long waits—and increased consumer frustration—more likely. For drivers currently enjoying the convenience of home charging and swift fill-ups at the local gas station, the shift to EVs without proper infrastructure seems like an exercise in frustration that political leaders may not have fully grasped. It’s like heading to the grocery store for a quick snack only to discover the place is out of your favorite snacks.
The potential for delays at charging stations and mind-numbing wait times will likely scare off many potential EV buyers, as evidenced by a recent global survey revealing that many EV owners might switch back to gas-powered cars for their next ride. That is the kind of feedback that even the most ardent environmentalist can’t ignore—after all, when buyers are eager to bolt to reliable fuels, it begs the question: just how green is the new green?
