EV Sales Problems Grow –Climate Crisis AM Edition 4/18/24
Electric trucks are used more and more often to move cargo. This may push their use ahead of car and SUV vehicles, the sales of which have slowed considerably. Large trucks use huge amounts of fuel which makes their profits highly vulnerable to high oil prices. According to CNBC, these trucks may have another advantage which is to cut out drivers and the expense to employ them. “Many in the trucking and logistics industry believe that electric trucks will ultimately be fully autonomous, transporting goods up and down highways without anyone behind the wheel.” Climatecrisis247 believes that while electric engines for trucks may be a way to save money, there are two drawbacks. The first is that self-driving vehicle technology may be years away. The other is that charging these trucks draws a huge amount of electricity, and, in some parts of the country, there may not be electricity to support their business model.
Climate Price Tag –$38 Trillion A Year
Worst US Heat –Turn To Miami
In another warning sign that EV sales have slowed, there are a large number of Chinese vehicles at their ports that have yet to be shipped. Demand is now enough that many of these have been put into warehouses for storage. According to Jalopnik, “The Chinese EVs being imported into places like Europe have also been hampered by reduction in subsidies for electric car sales. Automotive News reports that a cut in EV subsidies in Germany has hit sales, leaving many cars stuck on docks with nobody to buy them.” Climatecrisis247 believes that incentives have not been enough of a draw to help the falling interest in self driving cars. This calls into question the plans of Chinese companies to develop huge sales outside their own borders. These plans have worried EV makers in the EU and US. For now, with EV demand low, the concern about low price competition from China may be misplaced.
Africa’s Brutal Heat Wave
A deadly heat wave has hit central Africa, centered in Mail. Temperatures are nearly 120 degrees F in some areas, which, for any long period of time, humans cannot survive. The heat wave has lasted three weeks, and may recur again quickly. The temperature has been caused by climate change, according to a number of scientists. According to the BBC, A new analysis from scientists involved with the World Weather Attribution group suggests the high day time and night time temperatures would not have been possible without the world’s long term use of coal, oil and gas as well as other activities such as deforestation. However, other experts say it has been caused by El Niño and not major changes in the climate. Climatecrisis247 believes that many of these heat waves, which are not restricted to Africa by any means, are caused by climate change, and raises questions about two problems which are impossible to solve. No sum of many can reverse the rise in temperatures. And no sum of money can help these people to relocate to areas with more temperate weather.
New Climate Poll Results
A new poll about concerns about climate change among American adults shows that anxiety is rising. The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that 84% of people believe climate change is happening, up from 74% less than a year ago. Seventy five percent believe climate change is caused, at least in part, by human activity, up from 61% less that a year ago. Those who accept the presence and effect of climate change are more likely to be Democrats than Republicans. Climatecrisis247 believes that one thing that is not clear is whether people will change their personal activities or the way that they vote. Without these changes, what people believe may be of little importance.
