When it comes to CO2 emission reduction, it’s no contest between e-bikes and electric cars
Eben Weiss
Jul 17, 2019
Hey, not sure if you’ve heard, but here on planet Earth we’re in the midst of a climate crisis. In fact, the UN warns that we’ve got only 11 years left to prevent “irreparable damage to our planet.” So unless you’re one of those people who hates the UN because they’re constantly buzzing you with their black helicopters, at this point you may be getting at least a little bit concerned for the future of humanity.
One thing we can do to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and secure our future is to stop burning gasoline in order to get around. According to the EPA, the transportation sector accounted for 29 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions for 2017. To that end, the federal government will give you a tax credit if you decide to purchase an electric car. For example, if you buy a Tesla, you could be eligible for a tax credit of $1,875 on your federal return, plus any other perks and incentives your state might offer. (Federal incentives are subject to a phase-out schedule and therefore vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.)
Our current electric vehicle incentives are arguably half-assed, but even encouraging people to buy electric cars with the entirety of our asses isn’t going to solve the real problems. These vehicles may not have tailpipes, but they still have tires and brake pads which also pollute the air, and in fact the particles those wear items emit can potentially offset the reduced emissions from more efficient motors. They also cause traffic congestion, just like regular cars do (Elon Musk’s marketing gimmick of a tunnel notwithstanding). And even tax breaks and subsidized car charging stations do nothing to liberate us from our institutionalized automobile dependence or spare us from the devastating physical and economic toll of living in a country where you can’t fully participate in life without indenturing yourself to a car.
Ultimately, switching from gasoline-powered cars to electric ones is like ditching your smoking habit for a vape pen. Sure, you may be spewing fewer toxins, but you stay just as addicted, and you’re still passing that addiction down to the next generation.
Want to Save the Environment? Subsidize E-Bikes. | Outside Online
When it comes to CO2 emission reduction, it’s no contest between e-bikes and electric cars Eben Weiss Jul 17, 2019 Hey, not sure if you’ve heard, but here on planet Earth we’re in the midst of a climate crisis. In fact, the UN warns that we’ve got only 11 years left to prevent “irreparable damage… [Read More]
