The current shortage of electricity raises further doubts about the viability of electric cars, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.
“The Minister of Energy wants electric vehicles to gain a 5% market share by 2020, rising to 60 percent by 2040. If that many electric vehicles were in use today, then New Zealand would probably not have enough energy to power them. Worse, we would probably be forced to burn fossil fuels in order to power these cars”
Matthew-Wilson added that although alternative forms of electricity generation – such as wind power – were coming on stream, the supply was barely keeping up with demand.
“The fact remains that one third of New Zealand’s electricity is currently generated from non-renewable resourses, such as coal and other fossil fuels. To call electric cars ‘green’ is a gross misrepresentation.”
“Electric cars look good on paper, but they simply don’t make economic or environmental sense. They’re plagued by the same problems that have dogged them since the early days of motoring: high cost, limited range and the constant need for recharging.”
“The planet faces a grievous energy shortage. Whether you power cars by electricity or petrol, you’re still using up precious energy. Switching cars from petrol to electricity is like an alcoholic switching from whisky to vodka ¬ the real problem remains unchanged.”
“The whole electric car movement is based around the myth that it’s possible to live a 1950s lifestyle in the 21st century. If New Zealand’s motorways were full of electric cars, there’d still be gridlock and we’d probably be forced to burn fossil fuels in order to power these vehicles.”
“Cars are the perfect form of transport on empty roads and the worst form of transport on busy roads. Any energy strategy that uses private cars for mass transport is like a fat person who thinks they can lose weight without dieting. It’s not going to happen.”
In an article titled “Reality killed the electric car”, Matthew-Wilson dismissed most of the claims made by electric car enthusiasts.