Larry Elder, a radio host and former California gubernatorial candidate, has released a new documentary on Earth Day titled ‘Electric Vehicles: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.’ The film challenges the prevailing narrative that electric vehicles (EVs) are the clean, sustainable future of transportation. Elder’s investigation reveals that EVs require more energy to produce, provide less driver freedom, empower America’s geopolitical rivals, and may actually harm the environment more than traditional fossil fuel-based vehicles.
The Hidden Costs of Electric Vehicles
Elder’s documentary presents several experts who argue that the benefits of EVs are overstated. Alex Epstein, author of ‘The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels,’ notes that fossil fuels have actually made the climate safer by reducing climate-related disaster deaths by 98% over the past century. Ronald Stein, an energy policy adviser, highlights that everything requiring electricity is made using oil derivatives, challenging viewers to identify something not made with fossil fuels.
The Dirty Secret of EV Production
The film exposes the environmental and social costs of EV production, particularly the mining of raw materials like cobalt. Conditions in artisanal mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are shown to be hazardous, with estimates suggesting around 40,000 children working in these mines. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) discusses his efforts to prevent the U.S. from purchasing minerals mined using child labor, which were opposed by Democrats.
Geopolitical Implications
The documentary also explores how the transition to EVs empowers America’s geopolitical rivals, particularly China. Adam C. Simon, a professor at the University of Michigan, notes the ‘cognitive dissonance’ among environmental groups that oppose domestic mining while advocating for a rapid transition to clean energy. This stance benefits China, which has acquired stakes in global mining operations. Dan Kish of the American Energy Alliance warns that the EV transition would be an ‘enormous boon for China.’
Cybersecurity Concerns
James Jay Carafano of The Heritage Foundation raises concerns about EVs undermining America’s cybersecurity. He describes an EV as ‘a computer with four wheels and some seats,’ vulnerable to the same privacy and hacking issues as computers. Diana Furchtgott-Roth adds concerns about ‘bidirectional charging,’ where the power grid can drain a car’s battery, potentially creating vulnerabilities.
Limited Benefits and Practical Drawbacks
Experts in the film highlight the limited practical benefits of EVs. Leon Kaplan, a veteran radio host and car enthusiast, notes that while EVs are fine for short commutes, they create anxiety for long-distance travel due to charging times and limitations. A McKinsey study found that nearly half of EV owners want to return to internal combustion engine cars.
Conclusion
Elder’s documentary presents a contrarian view to the prevailing narrative about EVs, suggesting that the transition away from fossil fuels may have significant environmental, social, and geopolitical costs. Released on Earth Day, the film challenges viewers to reconsider the sustainability and practicality of electric vehicles as the future of transportation.
