Bummer: Sales Of Large Pickups And SUVs Is Harming Carbon Pollution Reduction From EVs

In the real world, these are the vehicles people want, especially SUVs

Surging sales of large gasoline pickups and SUVs are undermining carbon reductions from electric cars

Replacing petroleum fuels with electricity is crucial for curbing climate change because it cuts carbon dioxide emissions from transportation – the largest source of U.S. global warming emissions and a growing source worldwide. Even including the impacts of generating electricity to run them, electric vehicles provide clear environmental benefits.

Plug-in vehicles are making great progress, with their share of U.S. car and light truck sales jumping from 2% to 4% in 2020-2021 and projected to exceed 6% by the end of 2022. But sales of gas-guzzling pickups and SUVs are also surging. This other face of the market subverts electric cars’ carbon-cutting progress.

People want these vehicles. Many manufacturers had already mostly stopped making sedans. Others stopped offering sub-compact cars, like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris. Nissan still has the Versa, but, it doesn’t sell well, they do not make that many right now, and most go to rental car companies. The subcompact SUV class, though, which includes ones like the Honda HRV, Toyota CHR, and Kia Soul, are selling like gangbusters. RAV4s, CRVs, and other compact SUVs likewise sell big time. Many people are interested in the regular hybrid versions. People are interested in getting a mid-sized hybrid, but, not much going on there. People just do not want to deal with the charging issues of an EV. Or the pricing.

In spite of rapidly growing sales, however, EVs have not yet measurably cut carbon. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data indicates that the rate of carbon dioxide reduction from new vehicles has all but stalled, while vehicle mass and power have reached all-time highs.

Why? The surging popularity of low-fuel-economy pickups and SUVs. My analysis of the EPA data shows that through 2021, the higher emissions from market shifts to larger, more powerful vehicles swamp the potential carbon dioxide reductions from EVs by more than a factor of three.

Consumers make the choice. It shouldn’t be Government demanding it. If Warmists want EVs, let them go get one, and stop telling everyone else how to live their lives and what products companies can sell. And, as usual, John DeCicco, Research Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan, who wrote this piece, fails to note that he’s switched to an EV.

Policymakers and environmental organizations have mounted major promotional campaigns in support of EVs. But there are no similar efforts to encourage consumers to choose the most efficient vehicle that meets their needs. Significant numbers of Americans now believe that global warming is for real and of concern. Connecting such beliefs to everyday vehicle purchases is a missing link in clean-car strategy.

Mind your own business. Stop minding everyone else’s.

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15 Responses to “Bummer: Sales Of Large Pickups And SUVs Is Harming Carbon Pollution Reduction From EVs”

  1. Libertarianism is not something the global warming climate change emergency activists can abide, because individual rights and personal liberty simply Cannot Be Tolerated.

  2. Hairy says:

    Dana are you still pissed about laws forcing you to use seat belts and child safety seats?
    Does the 2nd Amendment say that all citizens or just some citizens can own arms of any type?

    • L.G.Brandon!, L.G.Brandon! says:

      More foolish repetitive questions, Hairy? Dana did not say a word about seat belts or child safety seats. That’s what’s called a red herring fallacy. Try again? Do you have an actual argument or just want to throw bullshit out there?

      Now your bullshit about the second amendment is a straw man fallacy. I repeat, anything new to add or just bullshit?

      Here’s a hint: if you can’t refute Dana’s point then keep your mouth shut.

      MAGA

  3. H says:

    Teach there is no difference in pricing between Teslas and big SUVs and pickups
    Both cost more than 50k
    80% of Teslas charge at home in their garage at night when electricity is cheap and with a 300 Mike range only 1per week may be required for those who drive an average amount 12000 miles per year Tesla sales have increased about 50% each year. Range increased each year more charging stations each year. Fear mongering won’t stop Tesla.

    • CarolAnn says:

      Good for Tesla. We love to see entrepreneurs succeed. Especially when they’ve turned both conservative and Republican.

      We also love to see a free market where people have the right to buy what they want. Don’t you?

      • Elwood P. Dowd says:

        Agreed. Many entrepreneurs are prevented from succeeding by oppressive laws.

        We know there exist huge market opportunities for cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, alprazolam etc, but the FDA and other federal agencies keep these commodities from consumers. Also, laws and tax assessments keep cigarettes from freedom-loving consumers. Some explosives are always highly regulated.

        Auto manufacturers are forced by government to force their customers to buy catalytic converters, seat belts, air bags, inside trunk openers, tire pressure monitoring, backup cameras, ESC and other frivolous and unnecessary features. It’s very difficult to obtain fully automatic firearms necessary for the defense of your family from the government. Javelin (lawn) darts have been banned! Some states are even banning a woman’s right to purchase mifepristone and misoprostol!!

        Government forced coal-fired power plants to reduce their sulfur dioxide emissions to combat acid rain! If not for the government, market forces would expand coal burning for our electricity generation! We have a thousand years worth of coal!

        Communists make the argument that limiting the distribution of these items are for the public health and safety, but the nanny state should NEVER decide who buys what, only the consumer should have that power.

        • CarolAnn says:

          Was that rant meant to point out it has to be only one way or the other, no compromises are possible? Cause that’s what it sounds like you’re saying. So everything from lawn darts to autos must be fully regulated by DC or we can’t survive?

          Interesting take on freedom in relation to our once great now crumbling republic.

          What prescience. Our world is currently being destroyed by people who first lied to themselves and now are lying to the rest of us.

  4. H says:

    Apparently the gas price panic is over if people are buying gas guzzlers.
    Oh yes it is ! In June average price USA was 5 bucks.Teach was in total blame Biden
    Now down to 3.60 a gallon and dropping a nickel a week
    This week’s price about 75 cents higher than Trump’s highest.

    • L.G.Brandon!, L.G.Brandon! says:

      Gas prices are dropping because the commie in the WH is selling off our Strategic Oil Reserve…to the red Chinese!!! He’s flooding the American market, jeopardizing our national security at a time Russia is activating more military and talking about the use of tactical nukes, all because they want to steal another election.

      He is a traitor and should be tried in the Senate as such.

      IMPEACH PEDO BIDEN!!! RECALL THE FAKE ELECTION. VIVA AMERICA!!!

      MAGA

      • Elwood P. Dowd says:

        Lucerne,

        The nuGOPhers will impeach him after the nuGOP takes the House. All it takes is a majority vote.

        Once the nuGOP gets a 2/3rd majority in the Senate they can convict Brandon.

        Until then you may have to rely on the 2th Amendment for removing Brandon.

        Regarding releasing oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)… NuCons have a great deal of confusion about the global petroleum markets.

        As global oil prices hit high levels in the summer of 2022, the United States released 30 million barrels of oil in an attempt to stabilize the market. This oil was purchased by 12 energy companies that shipped that oil to refineries in the United States and abroad. While some people or groups claimed the Biden administration was “betraying” America by letting SPR oil get shipped overseas, experts have repeatedly stressed “oil is a global commodity” and no matter whether oil is used abroad or domestically, it will have the same impact on market prices.

        • James Lewis says:

          Dear Elwood:

          The reserve was to prevent another OPEC shut down and/or provide us with oil in case of disruptions caused by wars on the US or other countries.

          Nothing else.

          Shit For Brains, AKA Slow Joe, released it only to try and get his skinny ass re-elected.

  5. ST says:

    Live Stream – Tropical Storm Ian Update: Forecast path, satellite image and spaghetti models

    https://commoncts.blogspot.com/2022/09/live-stream-tropical-storm-ian-update.html

  6. UnkleC says:

    Our gracious host summed it up in his close, “Mind your own business. Stop minding everyone else’s.”.
    Lefty elites expect the Great UnWashed to do as they are told by their ‘betters’. They get testy when the unwashed don’t toe the line and then begin the rants, never mind leading by example. Or for that matter actually leading. If you want an EV, buy one, I’ll keep my Expedition and my lux ‘crossover’ thank you.
    I actually don’t have a problem with EV’s, considered buying one, own equity in a couple of EV companies, etc. I do have a problem with mandates, subsidies, and general lefty authoritarianism. Let the market decide, it will find what the people want and how to make it profitably or go out of business.
    As a footnote; Kommifornia doesn’t want folks charging their EV’s at night, Something to do with not enough sparktricity [solar panels don’t work at night]. Also, the reason most people charge at night is that a level 1 or 2 charger is slow, most places have the same rates 24 hours so the $ are the same.
    https://www.thepiratescove.us/wp-content/plugins/wp-monalisa/icons/wpml_cool.gif

  7. L'Roy White says:

    Until then you may have to rely on the 2th Amendment for removing Brandon.

    Interesting. 2nd or 25th? An unintentional slip of the tongue or is Elwood saying the quiet part out loud?

  8. Jl says:

    Damn people buying the kind of car they want….

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