Electric Vehicles Advance

Even just a few years ago electric vehicles were largely noticed as curiosity pieces, something for people who had the money and probably had a backup fossil fuel vehicle. (Maybe even running on biodiesel.) Electric vehicles now account for over 11 million vehicles, and are expected to 230 million by 2030. That’s about 1/8 of the total vehicle population, which also means about 7/8 remain fueled by petrochemicals. Progress, and more is needed. Mass adoption could reduce emissions by 1/3.

Electric vehicles need an electric supply (with a few exceptions). The US now has more than 100,000 charging stations, with a goal of reaching over 500,000 by 2030. These are a variety of charging speeds, but in general, the recharging capability has become more ubiquitous allowing longer trips and hence greater adoption.

Battery recycling has also witnessed innovations, sometimes as simple as using old EV car batteries for vehicles with less stringent range requirements, like warehouse vehicles.

The earliest phases of positive progress is headline news, as well as fodder for pundits. The most significant progress happens when the concept becomes so commonly used that it isn’t worth mentioning in conversations. We may be entering that phase.