The electric car is back with a vengeance!
The rise of sustainability in 2020
I watched a documentary in the 2000s called Who Killed the Electric Car. Have you seen it? If you have, you know the story, that the electric car, something so good for the planet, was cannibalized by its very inventors.
Well, good news, it wasn’t killed, it was just in a coma, and it has finally woken up!
What’s new about the electric car?
I recently had the joy of riding in a new brand of the electric car. It’s super silent, it’s sustainable, the benefits are well documented, so this shouldn’t be news.
What is new, however, is this newfound interest in buying an electric car is spurred by not wanting to wear a mask on public transit but still wanting to be environmentally friendly.
This focus on sustainability is, in fact, a trend being seen throughout the western world.
This year, while there have been many major issues at the surface of the pandemic, discrimination, and fires raging across the world, it has also collectively woken the consciousness of millions who are questioning the damage we are doing to the world. And more importantly, seeking ways we can move forward in a more positive environmentally-friendly fashion!
The dangers of fossil fuels are nothing new
The Forbes article shares some statistics:
- 20 million hectares of forests lost every year since 2011
- 8 billion kilograms of plastic end up in the oceans annually
- air and water pollution has reached critical levels in many major cities
- $111 billion was invested in fossil fuels in 2019!!
Consider this.
A study by Duke University underscored the health costs of fossil fuels.
“Each gallon of gasoline purchased at the gas station carries with it up to $3.80 in health and environmental costs. The diesel in big rigs and farm equipment is worse, with an additional $4.80 in social costs to our health and climate per gallon.”
And it is this point that I think a lot of my network have been considering when debating their car buying options.
Okay so we don’t want to wear masks, but we want to be safe, we want to protect our parents when we are allowed to visit them, we want to obey the lockdown rules — but we want to be environmentally friendly. So if we can afford to do so, let’s buy an electric car.
Shift to sustainability
I understand that not everyone has this option to buy a car, much less an. electric one. I, for one, have never owned a car. I have always lived in cities I can bike or walk around. Also, let’s face it. Tesla is not affordable for everyone. But then…enter the Opel Corsa-e.
The Opel Corsa-e is a comparatively reasonably priced alternative to a Tesla. While electricity can come from fossil fuels and renewable energies, it’s carbon footprint is still drastically less than cars run on fossil fuels.
“Emissions from cars and trucks are bad for our planet, our health and contribute to asthma, bronchitis, cancer, and premature death!” — Earth Justice.
Electric cars’ benefits range from cheaper to run, cheaper to maintain, health benefits, and safety benefits, as well as being better for the environment!
Values over profits
As consumers, we are questioning the antics of big conglomerates — e.g., Amazon’s treatment of small businesses and their employees, Facebook’s allowance of hate speech on the platform — and we are rediscovering our own consciousness, our desire for values and principles that align to our own.
We want to support businesses that are doing good, rather than just focusing on profit.
“This has been a challenging year, but sometimes the greatest achievements spring from the direst of circumstances.” — Oliwia Berdak
2020 has meant a shift in consciousness for many, struggling with isolation and lockdowns, tough economic times — me included! — but a small glimmer of hope is this shift to sustainability where possible.
So if you need to buy a car, maybe this is the year you’ll consider an electric car.
I have no affiliation with Corsa-e other than the lovely ride I had in my friend’s new car!
