“Have Faith”

I should have seen it coming. We all should have seen it coming. Global warming, saving the planet, and carbon paranoia are three facets of a religion, a lot of which is based on faith. It is not a well thought out religion, but then again how many religions are well thought out? Most religions are based on faith, but unlike other religions, this religion relies strongly on the unbendable and the unshakeable tenet that the use of fossil fuels is a shortcut to Armageddon. There is no place in this California electric-car-worshipping religion for thought or logic . . . we must all have faith!
“Our religion tells us to do this, and we will do it without having any inkling of even a sprinkling of doubt. We will have five million Electric Vehicles (E.V.s) on the road in California by 2030.”
Because it appeared to me there are many common-sense questions, I asked a fervent, well-informed member of this EV-worshipping faith-based congregation a few basic questions:
Q – Who is going to buy all of these five million EVs?
A – “Even though right now they are quite expensive, we know that the cost of E.V.s can do nothing but come down. While the E.V.s are being purchased predominately by upper or upper-middle class people at this time, we ‘have faith’ as this will change. There is an upcoming plan that is very similar to Obama’s “Cash for Clunker’s,” in which the state will persuade poorer people with old cars to trade in their “clunkers” for a price and in turn then apply this money towards the purchase of a used EV, e.g. a used Chevy Volt. This plan rids the roads of older gas-guzzling cars, and, in essence, replaces them with clean E.V.s.  Granted these used EVs will have a diminished battery life, but we ‘have faith’ that in a few years the new owners will probably easily be able to afford new replacement batteries, because we all ‘have faith’ that the prices of these new EV batteries will also come down.”

Q – How are all of these five million EVs going to be charged?
A- The obvious answer is that these EVs will be charged over night by solar panels that are on the EV-owner’s roof. Granted that right now only those who are the more affluent can afford rooftop solar panels, but ‘have faith’ . . . as this will change.”

Q – If the goal is to have five million EVs by 2030, does this mean that there will be well over five million solar rooftop panels by then?
A – “Yes, ‘have faith,’ as for all intents and purposes almost every EV owner will have his/her own rooftop solar panels. Keep in mind that some of the wealthiest among us may well have more than one EV, and so this will probably diminish the number of overall rooftop solar panels necessary to supply the five million EVs.

Q – With the present shortage of affordable housing in California, the resultant focus is now on building multi-family structures. Does that mean that only very few of these future apartment dwellers will be able to have EVs?
A – At present the vast majority of solar panels are on the roofs of single family dwellings. Obviously in multiple family dwellings not everyone will be able to have his own solar panel, and these panels will have to be shared among those who live in these apartments. This may mean that not everyone will be able to drive their own EV every day, but for the sake of the planet this will be an acceptable sacrifice, and do not forget that carpooling is an option for these individuals. We ‘have faith’ that new technology will undoubtedly find ways to have solar panels in places that have only a very limited amount of sun.”

Q – Speaking of having only a limited amount of sun, California has an extremely long coastline with a fair number of people living close to the ocean where there is only a limited amount of sunlight on a lot of days, especially in the winter months. Does this mean that those coastal residents will not be able to own EVs?
A – “Absolutely not! The aim is for almost everyone to own an EV. ‘Have faith’ . . . as many who live on the coast will probably be able to work from home . . . at least a few days per week.”

Q – And finally with many driving more miles per day than is possible on a single full charge will there be charging stations at workplaces or at places where people go on the weekend?
A – “We are glad that you asked this question, as right now there are two pilot projects in San Diego that will address this issue. These projects have been approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and will cost only $18.8 million. One of these pilot projects will put chargers for EVs at 22 state beaches and city parks, and the other will put chargers at 30 schools and educational institutions, as ‘the location of these chargers will put a priority on sites disproportionately affected by air pollution.’ The cost of these two pilot projects ($8.9 million plus $9.9 million) will be funded by San Diego Gas and Electric rate payers. Yes, we ‘have faith’ that these SDGE customers will happily pay extra because it is for the good of the planet. No, none of the members of the CPUC live in San Diego.”

 Q – WTF are you all thinking, or perhaps, better said, “What are you all drinking?” No answer to this question is necessary, as like I said in the first few lines, “We all should have seen this coming!”