As the Biden Administration and the green energy agenda continue to force America into electric vehicles and the promise of renewable energy, more and more roadblocks continue to crop up for the left and the transition to a mandated green future. Numerous government subsidies are being implemented to coerce consumers into abandoning their gas-powered cars and natural gas appliances and abandoning conventional, reliable fossil fuels.
While saving the planet might seem like a good idea, the jury is still out on whether climate change is really the existential threat the powers that be say it is or just a natural cycle of weather. However, the current administration is bent on pushing America into a green energy future of windmills, solar panels, and electric vehicles.
Many liberal strongholds have pushed forward with the green agenda and have replaced vital services once powered with reliable fossil fuels with electric service vehicles, ironically charged by electricity generated by fossil fuels. While the irony is largely lost on the left, what isn’t lost is the unreliable nature of the buses, snowplows, and vital services rendered nearly useless by extreme weather conditions often encountered in colder climates.
In Minnesota, vital services have been interrupted because of the issues that electric vehicles suffer in extreme weather. The Federal Transit Administration awarded a grant to Metro Transit to purchase zero-emission buses in an effort to reduce the city’s carbon footprint. Unfortunately, the plan hasn’t proceeded as expected.
In Minnesota, several of the state’s largest cities have experienced significant issues with zero-carbon vehicles. Duluth, Minneapolis, and St. Paul have had issues keeping buses and other vehicles in operation. Cold temperatures have an adverse effect on battery life and have forced city buses into reduced service as the cities seek to find a solution.
The Minnesota buses are rated for a 150-mile capacity, but the subzero conditions reduce the range to a fraction of what is advertised. Drew Kerr, spokesman for Twin Cities Metro Transit, explained, “Using garage chargers alone, electric buses can remain in service for 70 to 75 miles before needing to return to the garage; with on-route chargers, electric buses were scheduled to be in service for up to 90 miles before returning to the garage.”
The batteries haven’t been the only problem. Charging stations have been failing as well. Duluth spokesman Dave Clark said about city chargers: “They would fail. They would not perform. They would experience malfunctions and glitches. They were extremely problematic right out of the gate.” Electric buses have reportedly broken down at twice the rate of diesel-powered buses, leaving the impression that they will never adequately replace conventional, fossil-fueled vehicles.
Another considerable obstacle exists inside of the buses. Electric vehicles have issues generating heat when they aren’t moving, and considering the numerous stops buses make, there hasn’t been adequate heat in the vehicles to keep passengers warm during the frigid northern winter. All of this adds up to a cold commute for passengers, an unreliable fleet, and a growing distrust towards the promised green future of renewable energy.
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