General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The CEO of Ford just perfectly summarized the biggest problem for electric cars [View all]branford
(4,462 posts)First, America is big, and not everyone lives or wants to move to the city or suburbs, including the people who grow our food. Many people live in rural and exurban areas not served by public transportation and/or require vehicles like trucks or SUV's for work or because of difficult terrain.
Second, the wealthy who generally have the largest carbon footprint can afford increased fuel taxes. The middle class and working poor would be hardest hit by increased taxes. Further, a great deal of commercial delivery is done by truck, including from port or train to retail location. It would result in an increase in consumer prices from everything from luxuries to basic food staples.
Third, not everyone is physically capable of just riding a bike or walking (to the extent destinations are even a reasonable distance). The old, infirm and disabled would be disproportionately impacted just like the poor. Also, did you even consider families with young children, or is it every man for himself?
I'm glad you have so many options, as you clearly have sufficient funds to own a Prius and live in a nice suburb, and probably are not responsible for transporting young children, ailing relatives, etc., or require larger vehicles for professional use.
Ironically, it's exactly this type of implicitly elitist bubble policy suggesting that helped propel Trump into the presidency.
If you believe we're going to tax our way into electric cars, you're dreaming. Such policies would not pass even among most elected Democrats, and would most negatively affect minorities and other working poor that Democrats claim to represent (and wish to regain from Trump in upcoming elections).