Art Wheaton, an automotive industry expert at the Worker Institute at Cornell University, reacts to lagging electric-drive vehicle sales in a growing automotive industry.
Wheaton says:
“The sales of electric vehicles have not lived up to the hype. Gas prices have stabilized and even decreased slightly in some markets. Toyota has ended its joint ventures with Tesla and has decided to emphasize fuel cells instead of electric vehicles for the future.
“There are many different options for consumers to choose from to power their cars. Electricity and pure battery cars have some advantages but also major hurdles to win over consumers.
“Tesla’s new giga factory for batteries may help in future battery development. Electric batteries remain too heavy, too costly, and rely on Lithium, which is not as easily available as gasoline.
“It is also very difficult to change the mindset of drivers after more than 115 years of gasoline dominance. Without major technological innovation, new legislation or tax incentives, batteries still fall short.”
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