Jonathan Schofield1d ago

An EV will consume fewer fossil fuel resources than an infernal-combusted equivalent over its perhaps 10 to 20 year lifetime.

But most of the roughly 4 tonnes of CO2 it will generate just to come to market will be in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. And this bit matters more than the first.

Somewhat less fossil fuel is better than nothing. But we need to be heading towards *radically* less.

How shall we do that?
https://mastodon.social/@urlyman/116294326872514865

Show threadJonathan Schofield1d ago

…FWIW, here are some thoughts:

Massively invest in electrified public transport and distribution systems, especially those for food. Use human power as much as possible for ‘last mile(s)’ delivery*.

Do this ahead of radically disincentivising private vehicle ownership. Make it progressively punitively expensive over relatively few years.

Massively incentivise producing the lightest vehicles possible.

*Other than our own bodies, the lightest, most efficient vehicle known to us is the bicycle

Show threadMark Pospesel 1d ago
@urlyman private vehicle ownership really was a mistake…
Show threadBrad Macpherson1d ago
@mpospese @urlyman Well, mass heavy-transport vehicle (cars) ownership for sure, especially infernal-combustion-engined ones. Electric and normal bicycles, and very small/light 4-wheel cargo vehicles, I would argue a case for.
Show threadMark Pospesel 1d ago
@brad @urlyman Bicycles, of course. But even electric cars have many of the same problems as ICE cars: lots of CO2 to manufacture, parking, streets, underfunding of public transportation, hostile to pedestrians and cyclists, worse city centers, accidents/deaths, etc.
Show threadBrad Macpherson1d ago

@mpospese @urlyman Yes, like I said - heavy-transport vehicles. Anything weighing more than ~800kg, so you're looking at golf buggy sizes of vehicle, or a (Leyland) Mini.

There are good arguments for their being available, not least of which would be improving access generally for disabled people and those with limited mobility (long COVID and ME sufferers among others).

I think it's insane that a vehicle weighing 1700kg can be considered a "small" vehicle.

Show threadJen1d ago
@brad @mpospese @urlyman it should be entirely possible to create a efficient, reliable vehicles that can carry reasonable sized loads, run on a rechargeable battery, and aren't themselves especially bulky or heavy.

Wait, did I just reinvent the milk float?
Show threadBrad Macpherson1d ago
@jetlagjen @mpospese @urlyman Add in near-silent running (certainly compared with anything powered by burning stuff) and I think you have indeed 😂
Show threadJen
@brad @mpospese @urlyman but wouldn't it be a better starting point for general use EVs than the current almost monster truck offerings?
Mar 26 at 2:16pmWeb
Show threadBrad Macpherson23h ago
@jetlagjen @mpospese @urlyman Oh, I wasn't saying that like it's a bad thing. Milk floats are a great example of a tool fitting its intended use perfectly, and with pretty minor adaptation would be an excellent starting point for a true general-use EV.