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Electric vehicles completely replacing gasoline cars would burden our power grid to the breaking point, not to mention the added pollution to generate all that electricity. This is a huge problem we're aware of. However, there's another problem with EVs that I hadn't thought about before (no big surprise, since I've given up thinking for Lent):
The added weight of EV batteries causes more road damage than gasoline powered cars. Of course, tractor-trailers are a big culprit too, but replacing all existing gasoline cars for electric would place a tremendous burden on our roads. We can barely keep or streets and highways pothole free now. Imagine a future where every road looks like a New Orleans street. (Those of us who went to the NOLA Meetup can attest to the state of their roads).
What if we could find a way to keep the roads repaired? Well, look at how traffic backs up with road repair today. Imagine doubling or tripling the number of work zones. You'd have streets and highways clogged more often than not.
I remember watching a video where the host discussed the additional number of fatalities that would occur, given that electric vehicles weigh more. He suggested the collision between a heavy EV and a light EV would greatly increase the likelihood of a death or serious injury because the added weight is in the battery, not structural components.
Still, small EVs would be great for cities in warm-to-moderate climates where you didn't have far to drive, and only needed to charge the vehicle at home.
Discussion (160)
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Unless, of course, you have to have an actual, useful vehicle for some requirements. Weekend at the beach? Going to see the parents? The grandchildren? MAGA caravan?
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I never even thought about the extra weight aspect. On the local FD I have been to many head-on collisions. Cars now are made to basically be a giant shock absorber. The engineering is pretty impressive. I went to an accident once where one guy drifted into oncoming traffic. Both cars were going about 60mph. Everybody died and I don’t want to make light of it but the way the cars crumpled was amazing. Nothing protruded anywhere. It did the best it could. I can’t imagine a bank of batteries in even a lesser situation. I’m sure there have been crash tests with EV’s. Is that data being squashed?
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Has Neutral Observer noticed any changes?
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Road repair is financed mostly with gasoline taxes. If all cars were electric, where would the money come from? I don't think anyone has figured that out.
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