Well if EVs are forced down our throats then sure, it’s the future. Based on administration policies, that’s where we’re headed. The question is, will it matter in the long run?
I don’t know of anyone that doesn’t already know the LCA Co2 emissions of an EV is less than ICE. But, like I said, will it matter? Meaning, while transportation makes up the greatest percentage of Co2 emissions, vehicles are only one part of the picture. Also, Co2 emissions from vehicles are only a piece of the pie of what really matters and that’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Total greenhouse gas emissions are still expected to increase for several decades under current policies. Even best case scenario, using pledges that countries that are part of the Paris Accord, emissions will increase before gradually falling off. But, the important thing is, we’ll still be above (2.5-2.8C) the 1.5C global warming temp that climate scientists have as a cutoff.
Also, I tend to believe that most of these goals (US 2030 emissions) won’t be attainable just from a power grid perspective. As stated before, a recent study was done that showed best case our current grid could handle is 20 % EVs on the road. Even that is using smart (night) charging. Right now California has only 5 % and they have grid problems just handling that. Just my Model S used 515 KWHs last month. My parent’s house used 600 KWHs for the whole month. Now imagine adding almost an entire small home of power use to an existing home.
Now I’m not saying screw it, let’s have a Co2 free for all but I do wonder if we’ve already gone past the point of no return. Unfortunately, the drastic measures that climate scientists say we’re supposed to take, aren’t realistic and our economy would suffer as a result.