My New TV

I will be GLAD to see the federal and state governments step in and tax the EVs on a per mile basis to even out the costs for using our roads. Right now most EVs are using our roads for free and that needs to change. The motorfuel taxing system needs to be applied fairly and evenly across the board, even to EVs. The technology is there to accomplish this.

Some taxing entities want to raise the motorfuel taxes to make up for all the lost revenue with efficient petroleum powered vehicles, and electric vehicles, and as a result of so many Americans not driving as much as they did pre-covid.

 

This will unfairly burden the petroleum powered vehicles, while allowing EVs to travel 'under the radar'...and this needs to change. 

Yes, I was making an over-simplification in my statement about green technologies. It was already pointed out about hydrogen problems. That was one I had in mind. It sounds good that you only get water vapor from the tailpipe, but it is the process of making hydrogen available in sufficient quantities for practical use that is a problem. Windmills sound good if one looks at taking advantage of "free" wind, but what goes into a windmill and the impact of building and operating them is not so environmentally benign. Solar sounds good and I certainly support further development of that as it has already come a long way. However, it is still not a viable substitute for vehicles. One still needs adequate generating capacity that is not impacted by cloudy days or lack of wind. I'm in favor of developing newer nuclear technologies that are not as subject to the safety issues Fukushima Daiichi, 3 Mile Island, Chernobyl, or similar reactors. We need them to consume the byproducts of fission instead of removing and then trying to find a way to store them for thousands of years. Fusion would be great if the scientists can ever get to the point where the energy output exceeds the energy input needed to get a reaction going.

Right now, there is no viable substitute for ICE for transportation. I can't see doing the travel we have done with a battery operated tow vehicle. It is possible to tow with an electric vehicle, but I don't see it having the range needed for us to travel to visit our daughters and grandchildren without needing to allow one or two additional days just for charging stops. Meanwhile, that electricity has to come from somewhere. It does not magically appear.

I hope a viable alternative to fossil fuels can be discovered. I just don't think we are there yet. That is not political, just realistic.

Battery powered vehicles also have their environmental issues due to the production of the batteries and the required rare earths that have to be mined, the source of the energy to produce the electricity, etc.  As usual the devil is in the details.  

Alternative forms of energy storage and its motive use need to be explored, but there is no panacea that will replace the ICE.  Each has its unanticipated consequences.  The important thing is that we honestly and accurately compare the relative benefits and costs of each.  Unfortunately, the proponents of any given form of motive energy tout the benefits of what they like and often ignore the drawbacks.

If you check the "include non-retail" locations, there is one in Graniteville, SC which may be closer. Otherwise, it will be quite a while before any hydrogen infrastructure is in place. Given the energy needs to produce hydrogen, it won't be economically feasible any time soon and likely would never really be economically feasible. Like so many of the "green" technologies, the reality is that they end up being worse for the environment than the "dirty" fossil fuels that are supposed to be so bad.

http://www.mb-soft.com/public2/hydrogen.html