Where will electric semi-trucks recharge? California has a big solution.
The state estimates it needs to build 57,000 medium- and heavy-duty chargers by 2030.
https://www.popsci.com/technology/electric-semi-truck-charging-california/
@BillieBun I'm not an economist, but some level of subsidies might be the solution.
@celticsfanaticentomologist I am an owner-operator, just a 1 truck operation. I believe most companies have 50 trucks or fewer. There are thousands and thousands of small outfits in the country. Pushing electric semis will meet fierce resistance because the small guys can't afford it and will lose everything. Many states will fight it because they will lose millions in fuel tax revenue. I know we have to get away from fossil fuels but it had to be thought through better than this.
@celticsfanaticentomologist You know who wants to push this stuff through without planning and consideration? The giant Corporate trucking companies like Swift, Knight, XPO, etc. They will be able to buy these trucks and will be ecstatic to put the little guys out of business and get rid of competition. Once that happens consmers will be at their mercy. If you think the price of food and other things is bad now, it will be much much worse.
@celticsfanaticentomologist Regarding any assistance from the government- the PPP "loans" that were supposed to keep companies afloat during the pandemic- unless you had a certain number of employees, you could not apply. There was no help for family based owner-operators. There would be about the same amount of help with electric semi transition.
By the way- one of those 2 mile long railroad trains give off about as much pollution as 400 diesel trucks.
We have to plan this better.
@celticsfanaticentomologist Someone has to do the hard math and figure. Will all of these electric cars, bikes, semis really truly help the air quality and climate issue. Considering that still today, the nation wide grid is powered by a combination of coal, oil and natural gas. All of which spew dirty exhuast into the atomosphere.
@thereg001 There's extensive engineering and planning that needs to be done, no question. I'd still say that unless that's done, there's zero chance that fossil fuels can be brought under control. ZERO chance.
@celticsfanaticentomologist Who will be able to afford to buy these vehicles? How will the state handle the HVUT and IFTA taxes; states get millions in revenue from those taxes every year.