Remember that phrase, "If the car had progressed as fast as the computer, we'd all be in flying...
The United States has a history of handing out money poorly. From the 2008 bailout to the failed ethanol effort, there have been countless instances of misplaced funds. Unfortunately, this trend continues even with programs like Disability and Social Security handing out billions to fake claims every year. The most recent case is the PPE loans given during the pandemic that were either false or never paid back. And to compare green energy to fossil, we always have Ethanol, the most public subsidy failure in history.
Now, as part of the Biden administration's push towards EVs and batteries, we ask the question - Is IRA money being poured down the drain on debunked charging systems?
To understand the current problem, we must go back to an article by ChargedEV about how Electrify America drove US car makers into the arms of Tesla. Many legacy companies, such as GM, Ford, and VW, had planned to use companies like Electrify America, EVGO, or Blink. However, Tesla's superchargers proved to be lightyears ahead of its competition. A side-by-side comparison showed the vast difference in quality, and it became clear to the automakers that they could not depend on these charging systems for their customer base. They had no choice but to turn to their competitor, Tesla.
The Biden administration's push towards EVs and battery technology is admirable, but it may be the case that the program is turning into a massive loss of money. As a fiscal conservative, I understand the need to be wise with spending, but it's still better than the alternative, where our leaders think EVs are some woke agenda. This misguided agenda further compounds the issue.
So, is it worth investing in charging systems other than Tesla's? The answer may be more complex. If we continue to fund the development of charging systems that are ultimately debunked, we are essentially throwing away money. It begs the question – should the government be the ones investing in charging systems, or should the automakers themselves be asked to foot the bill? This switch in responsibility could ensure that the charging systems developed are optimal for the vehicles they attach to. I don't think this is the path, but right now, any "charging effort" with a grant writer is applying for the money, and if majors like ChargePoint can't make it work at scale, then are sure to find issues with the 100 charging startups no one has ever heard of?
In some countries, the automakers are responsible for installing the charging infrastructure. This approach removes the burden from the government and encourages automakers to develop more efficient and reliable charging systems. Companies like Volkswagen are already taking steps in this direction. The car manufacturer plans to construct a massive European network of high-speed chargers while continuing to work with Electrify America in the United States. It's an excellent start, and we hope other automakers follow suit. The problem with this path is that it never gets done, so it should be released locally with a charging mandate that must be followed by plug type to battery capacity and flow rate.
As the world moves towards a future more focused on EVs and battery technology, the development of charging systems is becoming pivotal. However, we must ensure that we are wise with spending and invest in charging systems that are not ultimately debunked like Electrify America's. It might be time for automakers to take more responsibility in funding charging stations and working with other companies to develop optimal vehicle infrastructure. Only then can we move towards a future where EVs are standard and reliable.
Pics and Credits - IRA Sign Charge Hornets Nest Charged EV article
