Why Is The USA Okay Being 5 Years Behind Europe & China On Vehicle Electrification?

Wow!! Alot to process here. First off the topic of energy... type of energy, (solar, wind, hydro vs fossil fuels), how we extract energy (oil wells vs solar panels), where we use energy (home, transportation) workers rights and consumer protection IS political. Government's role is HUGE with respect to a country's energy policy, So I disagree with Harry Parker suggestion for a poll and his position that the conversation is too political.

I agree with Ralenz2009 and Relentless Ratz. The oil industry has been receiving government welfare in the form of subsidies for years. They lied to us about the effects of fossil fuels on the environment or haven't you noticed the extreme weather events occurring as I write these words (floods, heat waves, sub freezing temperatures)

Unions have not only given us the 8 hour day but has provided it's members with other benefits such as healthcare, vacations and workplace safety. For those anti-union folks out there please keep in mind that unions also benefit non-union shops by their mere presence. Employers have incentive to give better benefits to its employees to prevent unionization. If there was not threat of unionization they'd walk all over their employees.

Let's talk workplace safety. When OSHA considers and implements workplace safety rules who goes to bat for the worker and testifies and lobbies for a safer workplace? Unions. So... OSHA safety rules, fought for by Unions, benefit ALL workers... union or not.

Unions are not perfect. I acknowledge we have had union corruption in the past and that sucks. But looking at the bigger picture Unions are better for all workers and the community in the long run.

One of the reasons I love Aptera is their business ethos ...which is socialistic NOT capitalistic. This ethos is unheard of by the legacy automakers whose priority is profit not community. Heck, it took the courage of Ralph Nader to take on the big automakers and force them to install seat belts. Something we take for granted today. Not only is Aptera creating the most efficient 2-person vehicle, they are creating a grand paradigm shift within the auto industry. As Sarah puts it we are part of a movement.

A movement led by Aptera's community ethos to build a vehicle for the masses. Produced with worker input and safety in mind. A durable car you can pass on to your grandchildren, is inexpensive, low maintenance, easily repairable AND costs little or nothing to charge.

Just my 2 cents...

No leadership leading the way.

Four years of my way or the highway.

Bought and paid for leadership.

Did I mention no commited leadership?

I think what I'm trying to say is Norway is an excellent example of leadership that cares so they are on there way to sustainability and EV ownership and innovation.

China is going for global domination and not by force but by letting everyone give it to them. They have our manufacturing, computer chips, battery production, by using capatalism, (offer a cheaper price untill everyone goes out of business, then raise the price) Soon to offer affordable EV's, under $30k this year or next while F-150 will sell for $75k.

Need I continue?

The obvious reason Tesla was not invited to EV day is that they have always been 100% EV, the invited ones were the ones needing or providing the education.

I'm conducting an informal poll.

Who thinks this conversation has gone too far into politics and thus should be deleted as per the rules of this forum, and who thinks this topic is valuable, not political and should be kept?

I vote for deleting this topic as it has become too political.

The USA is an abstract idea and as such it doesn't think, feel, or act as one entity. It is 340 million individuals, each with unique values, wants, needs. People are robbed by an elite (taxes) who run their life as much as each person lets them.

Tesla and companies is an international, soon to be inter solar system enterprise. It leads the world in EV tech. Stop believing MSM. It's propaganda.

The oil industry has a stranglehold in the States due to lax bribery laws, and they want to keep making as much money as they can on their sinking ship.

@loswa Why does the US Federal government subsidize the oil industry to the tune of $20B/year? Why do states further subsidize it? Because many, many elected officials from "oil states" are, themselves, enriched by the oil industry.

Why do ICE vehicle manufacturers balk at increasing fuel economy standards - is it because the technology required is difficult to achieve? No, it's because of oil company control and influence in vehicle production industry. Remember, it's not just fuel and lubricants - it's also rubber, plastics, adhesives, rustproofing, NVH materials and a whole host of other products.

@ralenz2009 That's just BS - the UAW wants its members to have work: Most members are assembly-line workers and only a small proportion work in engine plants. Those engine plants might shut down but the workers would be trained to assemble motors, instead. The UAW isn't keeping EVs from being built - Union workers are currently building them for GM, Ford, etc.

Trump partially, and Biden is beholden to the UAW. Seriously, not inviting Tesla to EV Day is outrageous. Elon will have the last laugh.