Electric car benefits? Just myths: Column

Climate activists and politicians constantly tell us electric cars are cleaner, cheaper, and better. Many countries, including the U.K., Germany, and Japan, will even prohibit the sale of new gas and diesel cars within a decade or two.

But if electric cars are really so good, why do we need to ban the alternatives? And why do we need to subsidize electric cars to the tune of $30 billion per year?

2013-03-11 Electric cars have garnered a reputation as “zero emissions” vehicles --- but Bjorn Lomborg presents facts and figures that demonstrate the exact opposite. He shows that electric cars are hugely carbon intensive to manufacture. They have an extremely short driving distance, which means they are unreliable – so most consumers have not been interested in purchasing them (even with a generous tax credits of up to $7500).  Added to all of this, the cars barely differ from conventional cars as measured by their carbon emissions. 

BBC Radio 4, Today programme   Few things polarise opinion more than the electric car. It is either a great way to save the planet or a really bad way to get from A to B? The Today programme's Evan Davis wanted to find out more, and took a ride in one with an enthusiast and a sceptic. Bjorn Lomborg, the so-called Sceptical Environmentalist, having written a book of that name, has made a career attacking what he thinks are the irrationalities of the green movement. He is not a fan of electric cars.