Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by _heimdall 312 days ago
> ICE vehicles just can't go away quickly enough

We do have to either replace them with something else or stop owning personal vehicles.

The end goal may be better, but that transition will be long and it will break plenty of things along the way.
2 comments
iknowstuff 312 days ago
It really doesn’t have to. I’d say look at Norway but you’ll dismiss it as a rich country without looking up the actual reason behind their transition’s success. I’d say look at China but you’d say yeah but that’s China.

We can make the same decision and move fast in the direction, we just choose not to

link
_heimdall 312 days ago
Norway has done a great job transitioning, that's for sure. They are a richer country and that helps fund the massive government spending going into the transition, but I wouldn't dismiss their success either.

It helps that so much of their energy production already comes from hydro, that avoids the challenge of replacing ICE vehicles with electric cars in front of coal power plants.

I haven't been to Norway but I have been to Sweden, I was impressed with their primarily electric public transportation. I'd have to learn more about how Norway handled the transition and how it would translate to the US; for example average commute distance, use of public transportation, etc. I'd also be curious how much their government has been spending per capita, they do heavily subsidize the transition with things like tax incentives.

link
speedgoose 312 days ago
Transition is almost done around Oslo, and we are doing fine.
link
_heimdall 312 days ago
Do people there only use cars around town or for short road trips?

I know the trains in Sweden were great when I was there a few years ago, I assume Norway would be similar.

link
nairboon 312 days ago
> Do people there only use cars around town or for short road trips?

Modern mid-size EVs have a range of more than 400-500km. To put this into perspective, the drive from Oslo to Bergen, the other end of the country (latitudinal) is about 460km and takes 7h. You could possibly make that without even recharging, if you manage to sit still, without a break, for 7 hours.

link
speedgoose 312 days ago
A classic usage is driving to the cabin.

Now, yes few people drive as far as possible without breaks.

link