Are we still pretending strip-mining lithium and powering cars with coal-boiled steam to turn generators to transmit electricity (of which at least 30% is lost as heat) is environmentally friendly?

It is a net positive than what we’re doing now. But doesnt resolve the problem of individual vechile reliance.

Is that clear? What I’ve heard (and believe) is that keeping your old clunker is the most environmentally friendly thing to do.

Well, the most environmentally friendly thing you can do is move to a walkable neighborhood, work from home, and ride a bicycle to drop the kids off at school.

People want to vote with their dollars and feel smug without doing any research or making any compromises to their lifestyle, though.

How many 20plus year old cars do you see? People obviously are replacing them. And theres other reasons to replace old cars other than fuel economy such as safety improvements.

Where do you get “20 years?”

The average lifespan of a car is 10 years. I buy 5-year-old cars and keep them for another five. If it’s undriveable, a scrap yard can part it out and keep similar cars on the road longer.