Biden is touting giant EVs. Are they actually good for the planet?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

The president’s focus on some of the biggest vehicles around — the Hummer EV, the Ford F-150 Lightning — has raised some eyebrows.

And for good reason. For right now, these huge electric vehicles pollute the planet more than small gas-powered cars.

washingtonpost.com
Biden is touting giant EVs. Are they actually good for the planet?
President Biden’s focus on some of the biggest vehicles around — the Hummer EV, the Ford F-150 Lightning — has raised some eyebrows,

Link to tweet

[getagrip_already]

1. depends on the battery tech.......

New battery/drive tech doesn't involve rare earth elements or lithium. Not in production yet but promising.

I'm not a fan of lithium batteries or rare earth magnets, but replacements are being investigated.

In the meantime, demand will spur innovation.

[NickB79]

4. It's not just battery tech

Vehicles weighing 6000+ pounds like the Hummer EV simply require more materials to build, more metals and plastics, and use more kilowatts of electricity to move so many miles compared to a smaller EV like a Leaf or Bolt, no matter what batteries they use. And put that new battery tech in a small EV and the difference remains.

[getagrip_already]

5. that's not the choice....

It isn't a choice between an F150 or a subcompact.

It's a choice between EV and Diesel or gas.

The question of whether a parent taking thir kids to school or grocery shopping needs a full bed pickup or an urban assault vehicle is a different discussion.

This is really about power options for a particular class of vehicle.

[CentralMass]

2. Short answer. No.

[MichMan]

3. Who doesn't need a 9000 lb EV costing over $100k ?

[hunter]

6. As Emperor of the Earth I'm going to limit all personal motor vehicles to 15 kilowatts or less.

That's about 20 horsepower for those of you living in the past.

In my world, the bigger the car, the slower it goes, especially up hills. Those Hummers will be slower than an Amish buggy.

All the people who live for speed will ride motorcycles.

I took my first driving exam in an old Volkswagen Van.

Everyone should have to suffer as I did...

Actually, I'd buy an old van today and put a 15 kilowatt electric motor in it if they weren't collector's items. It'd be a fun town car.