I felt sad and disappointed to read the Keith Baldrey article [“BC lacks the energy to meet its climate goals,” March 27].
The overall impression he is attempting to convey is that electric vehicles are not a sustainable solution, but the opposite is actually the case. This is a viable solution for removing and reducing vehicular emissions.
If you watch the 2023 Tesla investors report, they show irrefutable evidence there is no shortage of minerals for creating EVs. The latest EVs are made without needing the rare earth metals and most of the minerals needed are plentiful. Also, mining as a practice ends up finding more reserves as they extract.
Mr. Baldrey also states other challenges facing EV users but fails to really show any actual issues. He brought up the lack of charging infrastructure; if you take a simple look at what is already available in BC, it is plentiful, and most of it is actually free.
He also said the high cost of ownership is a barrier, while we now see a new internal combustion Honda Accord, the most popular vehicle, is now a higher cost of ownership than a new Tesla over only five years. If we know one thing about economics, if there is demand, the market will meet the demand.
The next generation of EVs is promised to be even more affordable. There are many other companies stepping up to the challenge. Options for EVs are growing to meet the public’s demand for this long-awaited technology.
Lastly, if you haven’t tried driving an EV, please do, this is simply a better driving experience, something you would not know you have longed for.
It is alarming how much divisive dialogue can be found on this subject with no facts to go along with it. I hope readers can read through this type of reporting and see the agenda behind it. Speak up against it whenever it is heard, until it is a smaller and smaller minority.
The clean-energy plan from the BC government is something all BC’ers should be proud of. It is a bold and viable solution, and will be seen as a model that many other provinces/states and even nations will emulate.
Again, speak up in support of these measures and others who will help our planet heal itself. Reducing fossil fuel subsidies should be another obvious answer, yet there is tremendous resistance to doing any reductions by the government, even as another global event is gladly accepted to raise the price at the pump again and again.
As we reduce demand for fossil fuels, its price will naturally fall. Maybe some will be left for other generations…
Speak confidently, your voice is not alone.
Joel Nordman
Poplar Street, Powell River
