Conservatives Bash Electric Vehicles — But What’s the Agenda?

When I come across an article like this one from EVWorld’s Bill Moore: “Electric Cars and ‘Can’t Do Spirit’ of American Conservatives” I like to draw readers’ attention to it, and normally attempt to add some value in the form of commenting, elaborating, clarifying — at least amplifying.  Here, however, he’s nailed this subject so perfectly that I can’t think of anything else to say.

Bill notes the many outrageous errors in a piece in “The Week” entitled, “The Folly of Doubling Down on Electric Cars,” in which journalist Ed Morrisey begins with the line: “So-called green vehicles are expensive, tough to dispose of, and may actually increase America’s dependence on foreign sources.” He goes on to explain how the car companies can’t sell EVs, because Americans simply don’t want them. 

Morrisey takes a considerable drubbing – even from his followers – who make comments like “Please get your facts straight before you print trash,” and “You should retract this article. Did the author read tea leaves as research?”  And here’s my own contribution — not an opinion, but a fact:  Paul Scott, a personal friend who sells the LEAF at a local Nissan dealership, has customers coming out his ears; the problem, if there is one, is producing cars fast enough to satisfy demand. 

But Moore says that his favorite comment on the article was: “This column by Edward Morrisey perfectly encapsulates the modern Can’t Do Spirit of American Conservatives. Their rallying cry should really be closer to ‘Why Bother?’ than ‘Don’t Tread On Me.’”

I’m with you there, pal; I really don’t understand this behavior. I know that most conservatives are completely sincere in their desire to see a stronger and more vibrant America.  To that end, I submit that maybe it’s time they stop bashing their country’s attempts to lead the world in the Energy Revolution that lies at the very core of the global industry.