Agree to Disagree: Does Your Electric Vehicle Help The Planet?

Tesla vehicle sales are, well … electric. The company posted $5.5 billion in 2021 profits, roughly six times its previous year earnings. Globally, the electric car industry is anything but static, soaring to 7 million units in 2021. The promise of owning such a green vehicle – and doing your part for the planet – is a big part of the lure. But is it warranted? Devonshire Research Group, an investment firm that values tech companies, examined each stage of environmental impact it takes to produce an electric car. It found that while a Tesla might not belch out exhaust, there are other potentially equally damaging effects wrought along the way. EV advocates argue that while the technology and resources aren’t perfect, they are ultimately better for the environment long term as the tech improves, and are far more realistic in application than mass transit systems, particularly for rural areas. Opponents say the kinds of infrastructure EVs require, such as nation-wide charging stations, still require huge investments that would be better suited for more ecologically-friendly mass transit systems. So, does your electric vehicle help the planet?

ARGUING “YES”

Britta Gross, Rocky Mountain Institute

Britta Gross is managing director of Rocky Mountain Institute’s Carbon Free Mobility Global Program, focused on the market-driven strategies, technologies, and policies required to accelerate towards carbon-free mobility solutions. She was formerly the director of advanced vehicle commercialization at General Motors, responsible for the energy strategies, partnerships, and policies required to enable the wide-scale commercialization of battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. Britta is also currently a commissioner for the Orlando Utility Commission, Orlando, Florida’s electric and water utility. Britta has held numerous board seats, including on the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), MobilityData, Plug in America, the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), and the Alliance for Transportation Electrification (ATE). She also served as a governor appointee on both the Massachusetts Zero Emission Vehicle Commission and the Maryland Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure Commission.

ARGUING “NO”

Jonathan Lesser, Manhattan Institute and Continental Economics

Jonathan Lesser is an adjunct fellow at the Manhattan Institute. As president of Continental Economics, Lesser has more than 30 years of experience working for regulated utilities, for government, and as a consultant in the energy industry. Lesser has prepared expert testimony and reports for utility commissions in numerous states; for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; for international regulators; and for commercial litigation cases. He has testified before Congress and many state legislative committees on energy policy and regulatory issues. Lesser is also the author of numerous academic and trade-press articles and is a contributing columnist and editorial board member of Natural Gas & Electricity. He earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Washington.

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