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The power grid can't handle the drain on the few EVs currently on the road. Is it too soon to outlaw gas-powered cars?

Every time I ask an energy expert if the grid can handle a large-scale transition from gas cars to electric vehicles, the answer is a forceful No. The current policy strategy across the U.S. seems to be:

• Phase 1: Outlaw gas cars.

• Phase 3: Win re-election.

I feel like we’re living among the South Park underpants gnomes. Is anybody working on a Phase 2 plan, or is the transition to EVs going to be a debacle? 

Only 2% of cars registered in California are electric, and the grid can’t handle the surge. 

California recently set a date to outlaw gas-powered cars and then days later admitted they couldn’t handle the strain of car charging during certain hours.

Transportation planners & engineers need to ask difficult questions about sustainability policies.

At the same time energy experts in my circle (a limited sample size, to be sure) acknowledge the grid is in rough shape, consultants take to social media to defend any critique of EV mandates with zealotry. The religiosity effectively signals “I’m on Team Good Guy” but that’s about all it accomplishes. In fact, intellectual curiosity and vigorous debate are part of their codes of ethics. To put it bluntly, it’s unethical for a professional to just go with the flow. 

When you're wrestling with issues about America’s energy crisis, you might start with this: "Is the policy goal to improve access & opportunity for residents?" And then maybe this: "If the grid can't handle a switch to EVs, then why are EVs mandatory?"

The mobility industry is seeing some exciting evolution in electric vehicles. I want customers to have all the mobility options. But the infrastructure has a long way to go, locally and regionally.

California gets hot, so "stop charging your only vehicle" is a headline that's likely to continue. Using the last two years as a guide, it's plausible that California is five minutes away from headlines like "Only essential travelers may charge their EVs." 

I don't have answers to the energy crises, but I do know more questions need to be asked about EV mandates. I wouldn’t have guessed a Smart Car would be gas-powered, but here we are.