After pig-headedly ripping its EV-1 electric cars off adoring customers in 2003 and crushing them up (believe it or not), 15 years later GM is finally renewing its attention on electric car production. Thanks to Elon Musk for leading the world’s major car producers kicking and screaming into a much-needed emission-free future. But the world remains far behind where we could and should have been in this evolution.
While climate change seems too generalized a phenomenon for most individuals to wrap their heads around, toxic air and the myriad of related health problems is becoming immediate enough to demand attention.
Plagued by horrific air quality in many cities, China finally has a sense of urgency on this transition. Its government has mandated that starting in January, all major manufacturers there must meet new-energy vehicle production minimums and this is helping to accelerate the country’s EV producers. Meanwhile, with western demand turning down on highly indebted households and super-extended auto loan terms, GM and other car makers are now drowning in antiquated ICE (internal combustion engine) inventories and racing to recalibrate by closing plants and laying off workers.
A huge head start was wasted through complacency and status quo myopia, and the unnecessary costs of this to our environment, health and productivity will compound for years to come. Hopefully some lessons can be learned here.
See China is leading the world to an electric car future. Here is a direct video link
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