In response to Tom Brett’s letter, I also attended the March 21 town hall on electric vehicles. Overall, the presentation was rational and the ensuing discussion was respectful. I’d like to counter with a few points of my own.
Electric vehicles are a relatively new product. As such, they are priced out of reach for many people. Over time, innovation will likely bring the price down. Will this happen in the proposed time frame? Possibly, but there are a number of issues that need to be worked out first, such as obtaining the rare minerals required (without the use of child labor and with respect to the current environment).
The infrastructure for charging these vehicles is in its infancy, and much more needs to be done to ensure both the charging stations and the electrical grid capacity so that we don’t end up as California did last summer with brownouts and telling people not to charge their cars.
There is also the issue of replacement battery cost, and where and how all the dead batteries will be disposed. These will likely also be resolved in time.
There is also the question of how road maintenance will be funded as more cars do not pay the gas tax. Will there be trackers in the cars as Oregon is proposing? Will we be taxed on vehicle weight?
The idea is exciting, but as with any new technology, it needs to evolve before the state commands what the public must buy and what dealers must sell. Unfortunately, I think the state is putting the cart before the horse with the proposed action.
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