Economy
Is Joe Biden’s Plan to Ban Gas-Powered Vehicles a Threat to the Economy?
Is Joe Biden’s Plan to Ban Gas-Powered Vehicles a Threat to the Economy?
Here’s The Scoop
In the final days of August 2022, California made a monumental announcement: by 2035, the state would ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles in favor of an all-electric future. This bold plan has sparked significant debate regarding its impact on the state’s economy and infrastructure.
The immediate concern revolves around the high cost of electric vehicles (EVs) and the sourcing of materials needed for their batteries. Yet, these concerns were largely overshadowed by a more urgent crisis: just days after the announcement, California experienced a severe power grid failure.
The state declared a level-one power emergency, imposing a “Flex Alert” that urged residents to conserve power by shutting off appliances during peak hours. This episode starkly highlighted the fragility of California’s power grid and raised questions about its ability to support millions of new EVs. Critics argue that without a reliable power grid, the ambitious EV mandate is impractical.
However, Governor Gavin Newsom and local media have shown no signs of rethinking the plan. Despite the grid collapse, Newsom reaffirmed his commitment to renewable energy and the EV mandate, signaling no intention to backtrack.
This unwavering stance has now influenced other states and the Biden administration to adopt similar measures. States like Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington have signed onto California’s “Advanced Clean Cars II rule,” which aims to phase out gas-powered cars gradually by 2035.
Moreover, the federal government has quietly introduced new emissions standards through the EPA, which effectively act as a ban on many gas vehicles without direct legislative approval. By 2032, these standards require car manufacturers to reduce emissions by about 50%, necessitating that up to 56% of new vehicles be EVs and 13% be plug-in hybrids. This regulatory approach bypasses voters, imposing drastic changes without popular consent.
Industry experts like Marlo Lewis from the Competitive Enterprise Institute warn that these rules are unfeasible under current technological and economic conditions. Even leading hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius would not meet the new requirements, compelling manufacturers to pivot rapidly towards EV production.
This regulatory overreach extends to the trucking industry as well, threatening to disrupt the nation’s economy further. While mainstream media touts benefits like reduced smog, the broader implications are troubling. Higher costs for consumers, increased reliance on foreign battery materials, and strain on an already unreliable power grid are just some of the issues at hand.
Additionally, the perceived environmental benefits of EVs are not as clear-cut as advocates claim. For instance, EVs charged on coal-heavy grids can produce more emissions than efficient gas-powered hybrids. The environmental impact of EV manufacturing also complicates the narrative of zero-emission vehicles.
Ultimately, this push for electric vehicles and renewable energy appears to be driven less by environmental science and more by a broader ideological agenda. The Biden administration’s endorsement of these policies, despite their questionable efficacy and constitutional validity, underscores a troubling trend of expanding government control at the expense of individual freedoms.
As voters, it is crucial to scrutinize these developments and advocate for policies that balance environmental goals with economic and personal freedoms.
What do you think? Let us know by participating in our poll, or join the discussion in the comment section below!
Dakotahjoe
June 13, 2024 at 12:02 pm
It won’t matter anyway. Climate change is a real thing and doing havoc on our country and our economy. Insurance rates have risen by 20 percent. So far this year the damage by Mother Nature is 11 Billion.
So by 2035, we will not be able to afford to drive anywhere but work.
Jerry C.
June 14, 2024 at 7:21 pm
Yes, climate change IS real but, no, we didn’t cause it! The Earth has gone through natural cycles of heating & cooling for it’s entire existence, (4.5 billion or so years, not the 6,000 or so the ‘thumpers would have us believe). Are we exacerbating it? Likely, yes. Can we stop it? NO! The couple of decades sooner that we reach the plateau, the century or 2 longer that plateau lasts, (out of the thousands or tens of thousands of years such cycles normally last,) or the degree or 2 higher that plateau is are next to nothing in the grand scheme of things. It’s coming and we can’t stop it. Quit wasting time & effort decrying the situation and start thinking of ways we survive what we cannot change!
Dakotahjoe
June 15, 2024 at 11:33 am
Yes we did cause climate change! Every scientist in the world knows that. At least you believe we are exacerbating it. Well lets agree to stop that and maybe the effects will be less. Climate change, or what ever you want to call it, will devastate our economy. Just look at the insurance companies. They are losing money because of all the disasters they have to pay for every year.
Most likely only a few will survive.
Charles Evering
June 14, 2024 at 8:37 am
It really is so sad to see how easily people can be duped into to believing all of this stuff. Look at science and try to understand it. Look what we did to ourselves when we scrubbed sulfur out of diesel in the name of climate change. Yes we are damaging the climate but in the name of protecting the climate. Just so sad.
Dan Heartsill
June 14, 2024 at 10:54 am
This thing in California is the prime example of stupid. At this point EV,s are not worth having because of charging time and the distance they will go on a charge. I live in Texas (for that I am thankful), and I was behind a Tesla with California license plates. My thought was it must have taken a week to get here. Also there is no thought about the raw materials to make the batteries for EV,s and how to dispose of them when dead. A whole lot of either stupid or not thinking with the situation.
Jack
June 14, 2024 at 1:40 pm
God gave us free will/freedom to choose. Gavin Newsom and Joe Biden and all the commie/socialist, hate mongering, acolytes of Satan Democrats oppose/defy Jehovah God and should be terminated or banished to North Korea if they persist in their immoralities.J=
Jerry C.
June 14, 2024 at 7:23 pm
Please keep your crazy Abrahamic mythology to yourself!
Paige
June 14, 2024 at 10:28 pm
IT’S FREE SPEECH, JERRY C., SO, LET JACK HAVE HIS SAY HIS OWN WAY & SHUT THE HELL UP!!!! IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, DON’T LOOK!!!! DON’T TELL PEOPLE WHAT TO DO!!!! YOU’RE ANNOYING & IRRITATING!!!! DINK!!
mike sarnataro
June 15, 2024 at 10:17 am
so stupid t world is in so much trouble and its not because of gas cars and gas stove