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The non-viability and fraud of the ‘electric car’
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Tesla posts record net income of $438 million, revenue surges by 74%
[link=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/26/tesla-tsla-earnings-q1-2021-.html?utm_content=Main&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1619468314]https://www.cnbc.com/2021…ter#Echobox=1619468314[/link] -
[link=https://twitter.com/RiegerReport/status/1394730765032861698]https://twitter.com/Riege…us/1394730765032861698[/link]
Biden test drives the all-electric F-150, gives it a nice plug
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[link=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/17/michael-burry-of-the-big-short-reveals-a-530-million-bet-against-tesla.html?utm_content=Main&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1621363571]https://www.cnbc.com/2021…ter#Echobox=1621363571[/link]
Michael Burry of Scion Investments (and [i]The Big Short[/i] fame) has a >$500 million short position on TSLA.
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[link=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltaylor/2021/05/13/ev-range-breakthrough-as-new-aluminum-ion-battery-charges-60-times-faster-than-lithium-ion/?fbclid=IwAR0bOk6d9p6N6Ll8JPWiGvHTJ1krO0NzwU70qUatIHyIJ5gEJ8KAAsGCN5s&sh=1508d9dd6d28]https://www.forbes.com/si…5s&sh=1508d9dd6d28[/link]
[h1][b]Developer Of Aluminum-Ion Battery Claims It Charges 60 Times Faster Than Lithium-Ion, Offering EV Range Breakthrough[/b][/h1]
The graphene aluminum-ion battery cells from the Brisbane-based Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) are claimed to charge up to 60 times faster than the best lithium-ion cells and hold three time the energy of the best aluminum-based cells.
They are also safer, with no upper Ampere limit to cause spontaneous overheating, more sustainable and easier to recycle, thanks to their stable base materials. Testing also shows the coin-cell validation batteries also last three times longer than lithium-ion versions.
GMG plans to bring graphene aluminum-ion coin cells to market late this year or early next year, with automotive pouch cells planned to roll out in early 2024.[/QUOTE]
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Wow! Sounds very promising for many reasons.
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Ive read about graphene batteries in the past. If it comes to fruition thats be great. It sounds like a promising material for many more things than batteries
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[link=https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2022-ford-f-150-lightning-electric-truck-intelligent-backup-power-house/]https://www.cnet.com/road…nt-backup-power-house/[/link]
Crazy awesome feature on the new all-electric f-150…
It can be used a generator to power your house…. for up to 3 days.
I’ve already a seen a few people in my social media suggest they purchase it just for the “in case of a home power outage” peace of mind.
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if you have NatGas check out a generator that runs off of it. We’ve done few of them. MY brother in law’s and my dad’s. If you lose power it’ll run your house as long as the gas is flowing.
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Quote from DICOM_Dan
if you have NatGas check out a generator that runs off of it. We’ve done few of them. MY brother in law’s and my dad’s. If you lose power it’ll run your house as long as the gas is flowing.
For my canada place (on a little island) I am thinking about propane on a generac system
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Quote from dergon
I’ve already a seen a few people in my social media suggest they purchase it just for the “in case of a home power outage” peace of mind.
The $100,000 solution to a $10,000 problem.
Oh, and you can’t use it as a truck during the outage either.
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Starts at 40k
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Quote from DICOM_Dan
Starts at 40k
In ‘mennonite tradesman’ trim with black steel bumpers and hand-crank windows.
The SUV level versions are going to be north of 80.
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I have to say I kind of like electric cars but I’m concerned about the lack of infrastructure for charging them.
Also, there are more and more people coming out against the current climate “models” and predictions. The alarmism peaked a few years ago, I think.
[link=https://www.realclearenergy.org/articles/2021/05/20/unsettled_what_climate_science_tells_us_what_it_doesnt_and_why_it_matters_by_steven_e_koonin_778065.html]Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesnt, And Why It Matters, by Steven E. Koonin | RealClearEnergy[/link]-
Quote from Cubsfan10
I have to say I kind of like electric cars but I’m concerned about the lack of infrastructure for charging them.
Whenever I see the Teslas parked at the charger in the industrial park on the weekend, I wonder whether the owners were told up front that you need a second car to provide logistics support to the EV.
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[font=”arial,helvetica,sans-serif”]China leads the way as America falls behind in R&D & investment? [/font]
[font=”arial,helvetica,sans-serif”] [link=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/05/joe-biden-china-infrastructure/618921/]https://www.theatlantic.c…infrastructure/618921/[/link] [/font]
[font=”arial,helvetica,sans-serif”][size=”2″]Would you drive an electric sedan with a single-charge range of more than 400 miles and automated driving functions, one that costs less than a Tesla Model 3 and, at least according to the manufacturer, can pull off a 2,000-mile road trip along chaotic highways during which the person behind the wheel needed to steer only about once every 60 miles? Those are the advertised specs of the P7, the sleek new model launched last year by Chinas hot start-up XPeng. [/size] [/font]
[font=”arial,helvetica,sans-serif”] [size=”2″] The Chinese government would certainly be pleased if you did: Another important feature of XPeng cars is ample state support. In the past year, the company has signed deals with investment funds linked to the city of [link=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200927005080/en/XPeng-Announces-Cooperation-Agreement-for-New-Smart-EV-Manufacturing-Base-in-Guangzhou]Guangzhou[/link], Xpengs hometown, and the surrounding province, [link=https://en.xiaopeng.com/news/news_info/3813.html]Guangdong[/link], worth $700 million. XPeng has also gotten preferential terms on land, low-interest [link=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/12/chinese-electric-car-start-up-xpeng-gets-2-billion-in-credit.html]loans[/link] and tax breaks, and state [link=https://www.electrive.com/2020/01/13/no-more-major-subsidy-cuts-for-china/]subsidies[/link] that have helped it reduce the P7s showroom price. [/size] [/font]
[font=”arial,helvetica,sans-serif”] [size=”2″] The government is actually a lot more open to allow some of the innovative ideas of businesses to push forward with their research and test their technologies, Brian Gu, XPengs vice chairman, told me. [/size] [/font]
[font=”arial,helvetica,sans-serif”] [size=”2″] Thats exactly what worries Washington. Fueled by government largesse, Chinas electric-vehicle sector has raced ahead of Americas, sparking fears that the United States has fallen dangerously behind its chief rival in a crucial future industry. Chinas state capitalism (Beijing prefers socialism with Chinese characteristics) is rewriting the rules of how countries and companies compete in the global economy. All governments place their thumb on the scale to favor homegrown firmsrecall the Obama administrations bailout of General Motorsbut China bends entire markets to a degree unimaginable in the more laissez-faire U.S. By offering funds and protection for nascent, high-tech industries including electric cars, as well as chips, AI, and a host of other futuristic sectors, the Chinese government could potentially swamp the world with subsidized products. [/size] [/font]
[font=”arial,helvetica,sans-serif”] [size=”2″] [/size] [/font]
[font=”arial,helvetica,sans-serif”] [size=”2″] Beijings goal is to leapfrog Western powers into the forefront of next-generation technologies, dominance that could hand Chinas leaders the political clout to shove the U.S. aside and become the worlds premier superpower. In the process, they would pulverize a key tenet of the American worldviewthat free markets and free people are inseparable, and the sole route to national successand thus legitimize Beijings illiberal policies and practices. The contest over electric cars is therefore a proxy war between the West and China, between their economic models and political ideologies. [/size] [/font]
[font=”arial,helvetica,sans-serif”] [size=”2″][/size] [/font]
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Sure but how much China R&D is really just stolen from American companies.
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Or how much of that is actually true. Weren’t their cheap cars supposed to be all over the world/US by now? I feel like I read that article back in the early 2000’s
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Back when Tesla revealed that abomination of a ‘cybertruck’, I commented that there will be thousands of electrical F150s delivering plumbing supplies before we ever see a Tesla truck on the road. Many fleet applications with a predictable daily mileage are well suited to EVs. It looks like Ford is going to prove my point.
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Quote from DICOM_Dan
Sure but how much China R&D is really just stolen from American companies.
Most of it but that does not change anything. We sent all our industry to China so they learned much as well as stole much. Now they have the know-how.
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The American taxpayer has been subsidizing the technological growth of the whole world since WW2.
We spend billions of dollars to develop something – planes, ships, meds, equipment, etc.
Our enemies steal it. Our friends get to buy it (way cheaper than developing) or get it for free.
Honestly Europe suckling at our teat for 70 years, growing their free-loading welfare states, and then having the gall to bash the US at every turn is more annoying to me than China stealing and you guys know how I feel about China. You expect your enemies to steal and you only have yourself to blame if they succeed. You expect better from your supposed friends. I’m glad we are pivoting to Japan, SK, and Australia. Europe is a bloated relic that hasn’t been useful for a long time.
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We are still buying those with taxpayer money ?
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I think Ford’s entry into the market will also come with an infrastructure build out.
[link=https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/05/sunrun-will-install-charging-stations-for-fords-electric-f-150-which-can-serve-as-home-energy-backup/]https://www.solarpowerwor…as-home-energy-backup/[/link]-
I like the home energy backup idea. I saw that on the commercial for the F150 last night.
My concern is fast-charging stations. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be forced into a situation where I have to stop for 15-20 minutes at a charging station on a long road trip. They need to get these to be less than 5 minutes. I would also prefer if they just added them to existing gas stations and then just slowly replaced them over time since most exist in good locations already.
Now if we can just get nuclear to power most of the grid we will finally be living modern like we were supposed to!-
As more and more people adopt electric we should see more chargers. Most new building Ive seen have charging equipment. Like new Meijer grocery stores and even at the hospital. New garages have chargers. Id agree it needs to get better and also cheaper. Like I saw Tesla is raising prices on the cheap models. How many people can really afford to spend 40k on a car and also home charger. The Ford has an 1800lb battery and can do 230-300 miles.
Those cars from Lucid look awesome and can do 500
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Quote from Frumious
Quote from DICOM_Dan
Sure but how much China R&D is really just stolen from American companies.
Most of it but that does not change anything. We sent all our industry to China so they learned much as well as stole much. Now they have the know-how.
You’d probably drive a Land Wind wouldn’t you.
[link=https://www.carscoops.com/2020/07/these-are-the-most-blatant-chinese-knockoff-vehicles/]https://www.carscoops.com…ese-knockoff-vehicles/[/link]
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No. Worrying that we haven’t been investing in R&D & US infrastructure enough is hardly the same as wanting to buy a Chinese car.
You need to remember that once “Made in Japan” was a definite sign of a very inferior product. Now Japanese products are often a top of the line selection, and have been for decades. Same for Korean manufacturing. And they did not have to steal our intellectual property to do that.-
Neither of those have anything to do with blatant Chinese rip offs of cars from auto manufacturers.
Yes the Japs and Koreans make nice cars that are of their own design
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[b][link=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/06/car-guy-joe-biden-america-electric-vehicles]The Guardian [/link][/b]
[b][link=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/06/car-guy-joe-biden-america-electric-vehicles]Start me up: car guy Joe Biden accelerates push to turn America electric[/link] [/b]-
That F150 Frunk is pretty cool.
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[link=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/28/honda-changes-course-and-says-it-will-build-its-own-electric-vehicles.html]Honda changes course and says it will build its own electric vehicles
[/link]
Although [link=https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/GM]General Motors[/link] will build [link=https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/7267.T-JP]Hondas[/link] first two fully electric vehicles for North America, the Japanese automaker plans to change course and manufacture its own later this decade.
Company officials say theyre developing their own EV architecture, and after two GM-made EVs go on sale in 2024, Honda will start building its own.
Its absolutely our intention to produce in our factories, Honda of America Executive Vice President Dave Gardner said, adding that Honda has developed battery manufacturing expertise from building gas-electric hybrids. We absolutely intend to utilize that resource.[/QUOTE][link=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2021/06/28/honda-prologue-ev-2024-suv-gm/5343601001/]Honda to reveal electric SUV called the Prologue: Will be 100% EV by 2040 [/link]
The launch is part of Honda’s recently announced [link=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2021/04/23/honda-electric-vehicles-gas-cars/7348607002/]plan to switch to all zero-emission vehicles in North America by 2040[/link], including battery-electric cars and hydrogen vehicles.
“Our zero-emission focus has begun,” Dave Gardner, executive vice president of American Honda, said on a conference call.
When the Prologue arrives in 2024, the company expects U.S. sales of the new vehicle to reach the levels of two of its most popular SUVs, the Passport and Pilot.
[/QUOTE]
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Government aims to support electric cars in general, not just Tesla. Elon unhappy with competition.
[link=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/09/15/tesla-biden-administration/]https://www.washingtonpos…-biden-administration/[/link]resident Biden held a splashy event on the White Houses South Lawn last month to announce an ambitious goal: to make half of new passenger vehicle sales electric, plug-in hybrid or fuel-cell electric vehicles by 2030.
But a key player in the industry was nowhere to be seen. Elon Musk and the countrys leading electric-car manufacturer, Tesla, had been left out of the festivities.
For Tesla, it may have signaled the end of a long honeymoon period with the government, when the company was bolstered by federal tax incentives that drove growth and sales, emissions compliance credits that ushered in profitability and relatively hands-off oversight that allowed it to put new technology in the hands of customers without much fear of regulators stepping in.-
Elon running a non-union shop isn’t going to leave him in good standing with Bien
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yeah but it’s also Honda and Toyota. Both companies run good shops for workers without unions. Those are also the companies that are going to make reliable, affordable EVs. so they should qualify for whatever credit GM or Ford is getting. Free market my hind quarter.
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[link=https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/16/lucid-air-snags-the-longest-range-ev-title-surpassing-tesla/?tpcc=ECTW2020]https://techcrunch.com/20…g-tesla/?tpcc=ECTW2020[/link]
[h1][b]Lucid Air snags the longest range EV title, surpassing Tesla[/b][/h1]
Lucid Group, the all-electric automaker [link=https://techcrunch.com/2021/02/22/lucid-motors-strikes-spac-deal-to-go-public-with-24-billion-valuation/]slated to go public[/link] this year, said Thursday that one variant of its upcoming luxury Air sedan has an EPA range of more than 520 miles. The official rating of the Lucid Air Dream Edition Range variant pushes Lucid past Tesla, a company that has long dominated in this category.
The official EPA range of the Lucid Air and its many editions have been expected to be as high or higher than some of Teslas models. This announcement not only gives Lucid bragging rights, it reveals a bit about the companys strategy to offer a variety of versions of the Air sedan with prices ranging between $169,000 and $77,400.Lucid Group CTO and CEO Peter Rawlinson credits the range figure on a combination of its 900V battery and battery management system, smaller drive units and its electric drive train technology. Rawlinson noted that he believed this is a new record for any EV.
[/QUOTE]
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As an owner of two Teslas I question the veracity if the range statement. Its much like MPG estimates. Still it is likely measurably higher than Tesla. A new company making high end long range EVs is intriguing. What do they have planned for charging infrastructure? I can imagine having a different EV solely for commutes. It would be nearly impossible for touring. Tesla isnt great but it can be done.
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I have to commend Tesla for pushing forward on the EV front, but I would never own one without an extended warranty:
[link=https://youtu.be/FuK6h9vvBGg]https://youtu.be/FuK6h9vvBGg[/link]
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The Lucid photos I’ve seen make that car look way nicer than the Tesla. Quality unknown, it’s a sharp looking car.
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Just bought my first ever, as my personal car, automatic transmission. All these decades since Ive learned to drive Ive been driving manual & love it. I am going to miss it. Might have to get a 2nd car for me just for fun.
[link=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/01/business/last-manual-transmission-cars.html?surface=most-popular&fellback=false&req_id=261247634&algo=bandit-all-surfaces_setnthitem_0_news_typekoftopn_2_5_news&variant=3_bandit-all-surfaces_guardrails_pool_hp_1d&pool=pool/249abdc7-aea7-4629-b2ef-a1f76cdbbdde&imp_id=158183012&action=click&module=Popular%20in%20The%20Times&pgtype=Homepage]https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/01/business/last-manual-transmission-cars.html[/link]-
mrs_dergon also loves a manual. Now the only time she gets to drive one is on a rental in Europe or the caribbean
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Quote from dergon
mrs_dergon also loves a manual. Now the only time she gets to drive one is on a rental in Europe or the caribbean
It’s getting tougher to find manual transmission cars. The Mrs is adamant about driving a manual, the options for a daily driver are narrowed down to a base model Honda and a Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 😉
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Probably more than you think
Toyota, VW, Chevy, Mazda, Ford etc all offer at least a car with manual.
I learned to drive on my sisters 91 Plymouth Laser. Fun but sucks in traffic.
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I’ve often heard that complaint about being “in traffic” with a manual but actually I’ve never minded, it was like reflex you don’t pay attention to. And it always kept me focused on traffic and driving. And I liked manual when traction was an issue.
When I was dating my wife I insisted that she learn how to drive my manual car and I did the same for my kids, both of whom now own manual cars. My Mrs is the one who insisted my next car had to be automatic, she’s not fond of manual like I am. But as I said, maybe I’ll get a 2nd car for myself with manual. There are still models out there with manual, especially used.-
Quote from Frumious
I’ve often heard that complaint about being “in traffic” with a manual but actually I’ve never minded, it was like reflex you don’t pay attention to. And it always kept me focused on traffic and driving. And I liked manual when traction was an issue.
The Mrs insists on a manual as it keeps her awake during her commute. Looking for manual cars, I found that you can get the Jeep Wrangler with an V6 and a stick. Also has a transfer box so if need be you can flat-tow it behind an RV or position it using a tow bar and a truck .
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I love the opportunity to drive a manual but have not owned one in several years. I was pretty proud of myself driving in Ireland shifting with my left hand and staying on the wrong side of the road.
That being said, Im not sure what this staying awake business is. When in traffic now I just put the Tesla on autopilot and go to sleep! 😉-
You might like a manual in traffic but its nothing like today. Like I can just set my yota to a speed and let it follow and stop. Itll auto hold brakes when you stop. Its just a comfortable experience. Vs stepping on the clutch in stop and go traffic.
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Quote from DICOM_Dan
You might like a manual in traffic but its nothing like today. Like I can just set my yota to a speed and let it follow and stop. Itll auto hold brakes when you stop. Its just a comfortable experience. Vs stepping on the clutch in stop and go traffic.
I have adaptive cruise control with a manual. Doesn’t do the stop&go feature like it does with automatic, but given the wide power band of todays turbo engines it works well in flowing traffic.
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[link=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-moving-headquarters-austin-texas-says-ceo-musk-2021-10-07/].[/link]
[link=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-moving-headquarters-austin-texas-says-ceo-musk-2021-10-07/]Tesla moving headquarters to Texas from California[/link]
Tesla Inc [link=https://www.reuters.com/companies/TSLA.O](TSLA.O)[/link] Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Thursday the electric carmaker plans to move its headquarters from Silicon Valley’s Palo Alto, California to Austin, Texas, where it is building a massive car and battery manufacturing complex.
Tesla joins Oracle, HP and Toyota Motor [link=https://www.reuters.com/companies/7203.T](7203.T)[/link] in moving U.S. headquarters to Texas from California, which has relatively high taxes and living costs. While Silicon Valley also is a hive of development of new ideas and companies, Texas is known for cheaper labor and less stringent regulation.…
Billionaire Musk himself moved to the Lone Star State from California in December to focus on the electric-car makers new plant in the state and his SpaceX rocket company, which has a launch site in the southern tip of Texas.
[/QUOTE]
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[link=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-25/hertz-said-to-order-100-000-teslas-in-car-rental-market-shake-up]Hertz Orders 100000 Teslas in Rental-Market Shake-Up[/link][/h3]
TSLA market cap goes over $1T on the news.
(total rental fleet is only 400,000)
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Wow, that’s a lot of money to commit by Hertz, both for the cars and needed infrastructure.
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remains to be seen. Can Tesla actually deliver 100k cars to Hertz in a timely manner. It’s probably a sensible move for Hertz. Less maintenance, sell them off in a few years.
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[link=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/27/gm-can-absolutely-top-tesla-in-ev-sales-by-2025-says-ceo-mary-barra.html?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=Main&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1635507898]https://www.cnbc.com/2021…ter#Echobox=1635507898[/link]
[h1]GM can absolutely catch Tesla in EV sales by 2025, says CEO Mary Barra[/h1]
After years of Tesla dominating sales of EVs in the U.S., [link=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/26/americans-are-buying-teslas-not-evs-heres-why-thats-about-to-change.html]its market share is waning.[/link] IHS Markit expects Teslas domestic market share of electric vehicles to drop from 79% last year to 56% in 2021. IHS predicts that share will continue to lower, to 20% in 2025, as larger automakers such as GM release an influx of new vehicles.
LMC Automotive expects General Motors to surpass Tesla as the countrys largest EV seller by mid-decade.
GM previously projected its EV revenue to grow from about $10 billion in 2023 to approximately $90 billion annually by 2030 as the company launches new models.
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[link=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/08/chinas-geely-launches-electric-truck-its-rival-to-teslas-semi.html]Chinese auto giant Geely launches electric truck, its rival to Teslas Semi
[/link]
Geelys commercial vehicle group, Farizon Auto, is planning to roll out the new Homtruck in 2024 and is targeting international markets too, the divisions CEO Mike Fan told CNBC in an interview on Monday.
…
The Homtruck will have different power options including methanol hybrid and pure electric. Methanol-powered batteries are a technology Geely has been investing in for some years and some of its models currently have this power option. Farizon said the Homtrucks batteries can also be swapped out which cuts down on the need to charge.
The interior includes a shower and toilet, single bed, refrigerator, kitchen area and a small washing machine, the company said.[/QUOTE]
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How to turn a Red state Green?
Jobs. Green jobs.
[link=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/08/opinion/ford-tennessee-jobs-electric-cars.html]https://www.nytimes.com/2…obs-electric-cars.html[/link]
Marsha Blackburn, the Republican senior senator from Tennessee, is not about building a green future. In 2008, as a House member, [link=https://cleanenergy.org/blog/2018-candidates-marsha-blackburn/]she voted against tax incentives for renewable energy[/link]. During her 2018 Senate campaign and before, she [link=https://cleanenergy.org/blog/2018-candidates-marsha-blackburn/]expressed doubt about human responsibility for climate change[/link]. Earlier this year, when the United States rejoined the Paris agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions, Ms. Blackburn complained that the move would kill another 400,000 jobs and lead our country away from energy independence. In August [link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKoSm2t9GrM]she voted against the Senates bipartisan infrastructure bill[/link], calling it the gateway to socialism and the down payment on the Green New Deal.
But in September, Ms. Blackburn was singing a different song, [link=https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2021/09/29/ford–sk-innovation-add-6-000-jobs-in-tennessee.html]coming out in full support of a major green development in West Tennessee[/link]: Ford Motor Co.s new Blue Oval City is an enormous $5.6 billion complex that will manufacture electric pickup trucks and, in partnership with SK Innovation of South Korea, batteries for electric vehicles. Altogether, the $5.6 billion in investment will directly create 5,800 jobs in addition to countless opportunities in supporting industries, Ms. Blackburn said [link=https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2021/9/blackburn-hagerty-kustoff-celebrate-ford-sk-innovations-development-in-tennessee]in a statement[/link]. Through this historic project, our state will gain access to trainings and work force development for years to come.
On the subject of electric vehicles, Mitch McConnell, the Republican senator from Kentucky, has also experienced a come-to-Jesus transformation of late. In July he decried Senate Democrats efforts [link=https://www.republicanleader.senate.gov/newsroom/remarks/democrats-reckless-tax-and-spend-spree-packed-with-green-new-deal-goodies-]to wage war on fossil fuels,[/link] but in September, when Ford announced it would be [link=https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2021/09/29/ford–sk-innovation-add-5-000-jobs-in-kentucky.html]building its new BlueOval SK battery-manufacturing twin site[/link] in Kentucky, he too [link=https://twitter.com/mcconnellpress/status/1442625347942424576]released a statement[/link]: I applaud Ford for their decision to bring their new battery plants to Hardin County, which will provide a much-needed economic boost to the region and create thousands of well-paying Kentucky jobs.
Together, the new sites in Tennessee and Kentucky represent a historic investment by Ford the single largest manufacturing investment the 118-year-old company has ever made, [link=https://apnews.com/article/business-technology-kentucky-electric-vehicles-tennessee-fe30179e922d864e2e25303fec667bf7]according to The Associated Press[/link]. It also signals the companys view that electric vehicles are the future of American transportation, which accounts for [link=https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions]almost 30 percent[/link] of the countrys greenhouse gas emissions.
I think the industry is on a fast road to electrification, Fords executive chairman, William C. Ford Jr.,[link=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/27/business/energy-environment/ford-battery-electric-vehicles.html] said in an interview with The Times[/link]. And those who arent are going to be left behind.
All deathbed conversions smack of hypocrisy, and this level of overt hypocrisy is almost unbelievable. Green technology is economically viable today only because Democrats seeded this field years ago. Obama-era funding for [link=https://www.pewtrusts.org/-/media/assets/2015/02/cleanenergy_combined_fact_sheets.pdf]clean energy research[/link] and [link=https://www.energy.gov/articles/president-obama-announces-24-billion-funding-support-next-generation-electric-vehicles]electric vehicles[/link], for example, is a key reason for growth in those sectors during even the environmentally hostile Trump years. Red-state politicians have worked unceasingly to subvert policies that created the very economic harvest they are now reaping themselves. It is truly nothing less than enraging.
But rage, no matter how justified, should not obscure the real point here. The point is for human behavior to change in time to save this gorgeous, teeming, irreplaceable, suffering planet. Deathbed conversions happen because time has run out, and our time has run out.
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