Our staff read with interest the Biden Regime’s new mandate forcing people into EVs; the EPA quietly propagating its rule requiring auto manufacturers to make a high percentage of EVs by 2032 (which isn’t that far away). Propagandized as ‘zero emission,’ these vehicles simply move whatever pollution they make from the tailpipe to the power plant (which will be powered by fossils). In fact, other than the expensive exotic environmentally hazardous materials used in the construction (which are significant), an EV is actually LESS thermodynamically efficient than a Subaru ! And as such pollute MORE than a standard internal combustion engine. We’ve done analyses for our clients and the suitability of an electric fleet in the past:
Of course, this is based on the ‘man made climate change’ myth which has been made into an all encompassing dogma which can be leveraged to regulate ALL aspects of anyones’ life. Since it’s unprovable but has a grain of feasibility–since our climate is, has, and always will be changing (effectively being used to generate guilt that simply living life is somehow destroying the planet)–it’s a perfect vehicle to use climate change marxism to have governments intrude into every aspect of everyday life. Using the force of law to enforce any edict they wish to propagate on a whim. Anything at all. The myth can be perverted to an extreme by incorporating racism into it (claiming that people of privilege are hurting those of lesser status by leading a good life), allowing the climate change wokes to incorporate EVERY aspect of their self-depreciating hypocritical lifestyle into one convenient package.
Scientifically, the premise that man can change the climate by burning fossil fuel (and that we need to change our lives based upon this) is exactly the same as sacrificing young virgins in order to have better crops. People propagating the climate lie realize this as they realize that people DID sacrifice virgins for centuries before they realized that doing so had nothing to do with having a better harvest. While we scoff at these ‘limousine liberals’ who jet away with their SUV entourage to attend their next save-the-planet junket (burning more fuel in one trip than a neighborhood of working families uses in a year), the mentality does present a very real threat to democracy. And is being used worldwide (via unelected bureaucracies) to impose communistic rule over free peoples.
We were dismayed to find the FAA had gotten into the act recently. Originally designed to promote air safety, air commerce, and establish an air traffic control network (which is the most efficient in the world), this entity is NOW being used to mandate unrealistic, unscientific, and arbitrary ‘fuel efficiency’ standards for commercial aircraft. This has NOTHING to do with its charter or congressional authorization. And is well beyond the authority granted to it. By so doing, not only does this mean any unelected bureaucracy can do anything it wants, but also it detracts from its primary mission and threatens air safety:
Doors and panels can fly off airplanes, engines can explode, wheels can come tumbling off aircraft on takeoff, pilots can fly drunk, but woe-be-tide the owner of an airplane which has too much carbon dioxide coming out of its engines.
Being a consulting firm, the good folks at D-J function as the world’s premier ‘think tank’ on current strategies and issues. So this got us to thinking. About horses.
Horses are beautiful animals. To this day, people ride and use horses both recreationally and for tasks that other vehicles cannot accomplish. They are magnificent and wonderful creatures.
But not many folks ride a horse to work. How come ?
Horses have significant drawbacks; they have a low power to weight (or volume) ratio (imagine the mass and volume of 170 or 250 horses which now sit right in front of you as you drive) , demand significant attention to maintain health and serviceability, and pollute (manure) streets.
Interestingly enough, the same manure that horses expel is a health and safety hazard on the street where people walk, but is a boon to fertilize pasture and crops. It’s a form of natural recycling; returning the raw materials to the earth to have the sun add energy to make back into feed for the horses.
Much like our internal combustion engines today change complex hydrocarbons into CO2 and water — to return back to the earth such that plants can use them as building blocks (a natural form of ‘fertilizer’), have energy put into them by the sun, and grow to be used again. CO2 is NOT a pollutant; it’s a necessity for plant growth and all life on earth. Our internal combustion engines merely extract energy and return the raw materials back to Mother Earth. To be used again. They are recycling machines. Recycling complex hydrocarbons otherwise trapped in the earth such that living plants and living creatures can use them. And Mother Earth do what she do to keep life going.
If a person is a REAL environmentalist — a true protector of the planet–he or she would be thanking God that through burning fossil fuels mankind has found a way to release hydrocarbons which would otherwise be uselessly trapped below the surface. “Recycling” these fossil fuels so not only can mankind benefit from their energy but also that the flora of our planet can grow and flourish. It’s about as green as you can get. Those who are inhibiting fossil fuel use are the ones literally killing our planet !
Was there a Federal mandate banning horses that got this revolution going ? In the early 20th century did the Federal government mandate that individuals buy expensive (and technologically retarded) automobiles ? Did the government initially ban horses (due to the dangerous manure pollutant) and force people into cars that hadn’t developed ?
Nope.
Cars and ICEs got better with time. Not through some Federal directive mandating technology or standards, but through people wanting them to accomplish a particular task. Making the free choice and letting the market work. No entity rammed early automobiles down the consumers’ throats; they were initially a toy used by the rich and later evolved into something useful. On their own. And this is the only way to accomplish things; not have some fat bureaucrat in a tie tell you what YOU should and shouldn’t have. There IS no other way to make technological progress simply because there will never be a mortal mastermind capable of determining all of societies’ needs and wants for every conceivable situation. Nor should there be.
As cars evolved, support assets (like gas stations and service centers) developed as well. Again not driven (pun intended) by some bureaucrat but by local demand and needs. The ONLY aspect of this which had any public justification for governmental intervention being roads and bridges; which form a sort of public good and for which there does need be structured planning due to property easement and domain.
Most consumers are getting wise to the EV scam; car lots are full of unwanted EVs. This isn’t because the concept itself is bad, but because they don’t fit the purpose. They’re not BETTER than the traditional ICE powered car for most tasks. They might be better for CERTAIN tasks, but not for most of the tasks ICE vehicles now accomplish. For those that have EVs (and like them) more power to ya ! They obviously fit your needs and you made a choice to buy one (hopefully NOT subsidized by others). That’s great. For a be-bop around town commuter or for tremendous acceleration (or many of the gee-whiz driving features) EVs can be a boon. But for a road trip car or truck or bus you can’t make a worse choice.
The evolution from horse to auto came not by some fat bureaucrat or some self-important ivory tower egghead projecting THEIR utopia upon others (through coercion of course). It came from free technological development giving people what they WANT for a better lifestyle. Some still ride horses and there are many tasks that horses can do that cars or trucks or motorcycles can’t. Making that choice between car, truck, or horse is one that is unique to the person and situation; NOT one that can or should be directed by the force of law. And at this rate, the government is likely TO ban horses simply because they’re fun, they work, and they give people the choice of movement. And could use the climate change marxism to do it.
So what do we advise our clients ? First off, get rid of the miscreants pushing this nonsense. No one buying into the mandated EV or forced carbon scam regulations should be anywhere NEAR public office. Or hold any position of responsibility when it comes down to making public policy decisions. When you see some business offering ‘carbon offsets’ be VERY wary of everything they do; they either have an ignorant man at the helm or a scammer at the helm. And take REALLY good care of the dinosaur burner you now own. Just like Cuba, climate marxism hurts the development of any nation. Cuba’s got all kinds of old cars kept on life support due to the communist revolution (and how it stunts progress and lifestyle). Be prepared to do the same with YOUR vehicle. With mandated EVs, traditional ICE cars will skyrocket in value because they’re BETTER for most tasks at hand than the EV. If an EV suits your situation and purpose, by all means buy it. But before doing so get away from all the hype and claims of performance and do an objective analysis of your situation for yourself. We submit that (without the government artificially manipulating the cost of fuel) today’s EVs will never be as economically efficient as a gas or diesel, but you might find something that works for your purpose (particularly if it involves a shorter range commuting passenger vehicle which doesn’t have to tow and is in a moderate to warmer climate). If you love to drag race corvettes, a Tesla might be the toy in your future. A battery powered bike might be nice for short trips to a store not that far away. One of our founders even went as far as to buy a lithium powered lawnmower to mow a small lawn because he was uncomfortable with storing gasoline for long periods of time in a hot Texas climate. It seems to work OK and is nice and light, but then he realized he traded storing a few gallons of gas for storing a lithium battery which is actually a bit more dangerous.
We have no doubt that at some point vehicles will be propelled by something other than an internal combustion engine. But that will happen NOT from some useless edict but by natural technological development and a better product. One that people WANT.
Diatomaceous-Johnson 