Electric vehicles (EVs) are being hailed as the future of transport, the answer to climate change, and a symbol of progress. Governments, celebrities, and corporations have all thrown their weight behind the idea of transitioning to EVs. On the surface, it sounds like a win-win: clean energy, lower carbon emissions, and a modern tech-savvy mode of transport. But is the drive for EVs as green and good as we are led to believe? Or is there something more sinister behind the push?
As with many things, the reality of EVs is far more complex than the glossy ads and political promises. Here, we explore three reasons why the push for electric vehicles might not be as benevolent as it seems.
EVs Aren’t as Green as They Seem
At the heart of the electric vehicle movement is the claim that they help save the planet by reducing carbon emissions. After all, they run on electricity, not petrol. But few ask the simple question: where does that electricity come from?
In many parts of the world, over 60% of electricity is generated from hydrocarbons—fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. So, when you charge your EV, there’s a good chance you’re still relying on the very energy sources we’re supposed to be moving away from. It’s not that EVs eliminate carbon emissions—they just shift them to another part of the energy cycle.
Furthermore, the production of EVs is energy-intensive. Mining for rare earth metals like lithium and cobalt, essential for EV batteries, comes at an enormous environmental cost. The extraction of these materials, often in countries with lax environmental regulations, leads to significant environmental destruction and generates toxic waste. So, when we talk about EVs being ‘green,’ it’s worth considering the full picture.
EVs Depend on Government Support
If electric vehicles were truly the superior alternative to petrol cars, they should be able to stand on their own in the marketplace. Yet, they don’t. EVs depend heavily on government subsidies to remain competitive. Rebates, tax credits, and grants all help to lower the cost of EVs, but without these interventions, many people simply wouldn’t be able to afford them.
Governments worldwide have poured billions into the EV industry. In the US alone, taxpayers are set to subsidise electric vehicles to the tune of $393 billion in the coming years. Despite this support, EVs are still more expensive than petrol cars. According to industry experts, an EV typically costs at least 21% more than a comparable petrol vehicle.
It’s also important to note that governments simultaneously impose strict regulations and taxes on petrol vehicles, making them appear less attractive. The truth is, if EVs had to compete in a free market without government intervention, their appeal would likely evaporate. So, why is there such a push to prop them up?
EVs and the Rise of Surveillance
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the electric vehicle push is its potential to be part of a larger system of control. Modern electric vehicles are equipped with an array of sensors and data-collection devices. These cars generate vast amounts of data—an estimated 25 gigabytes per hour—about your driving habits, routes, and even personal preferences.
This level of surveillance may seem innocuous, but it’s easy to see how governments or corporations could use this information to track, monitor, or even limit your freedom of movement. In an age where data is power, EVs could be just another tool for creating a highly controlled society.
Imagine if the Canadian truckers protesting against vaccine mandates had all been driving electric vehicles. Governments could have easily restricted their movement by disabling their cars remotely, shutting down the protest with the push of a button. It’s not hard to envision a future where the vehicles we drive are used to monitor our every move, making it harder to dissent or express unpopular opinions.
The Bigger Picture
The push for electric vehicles is not happening in isolation. It’s part of a broader agenda that includes 15-minute cities, carbon credits, digital currencies, and social credit systems. All these initiatives are tied to the so-called ‘Great Reset,’ a vision of the future in which freedom and independence are curtailed in the name of progress and environmentalism.
In this dystopian vision, the average person’s access to mobility, energy, and resources is tightly controlled. Electric vehicles, once seen as symbols of freedom and modernity, could very well become tools for surveillance and control. It’s a shift from the open road to a future where governments and corporations dictate every aspect of our lives.
Conclusion
Electric vehicles are often presented as the future of transport, a cleaner, greener alternative to petrol cars. But scratch beneath the surface, and it becomes clear that EVs are not as green, affordable, or liberating as we’re led to believe. They rely on carbon-heavy energy sources, are propped up by government subsidies, and may become tools for surveillance and control.
While the technology behind EVs is impressive, it’s crucial to remain critical of the larger agenda at play. As with any major shift, it’s essential to ask who benefits and whether the public is being sold a vision of the future that serves a few at the expense of many.
