The Hydrogen Highway Ends in a Traffic Jam

The debate about cars often misses a basic point. People cite the many ways in which hydrogen or EV cars are inferior for current applications of ICE ones. They are usually right – refuel times are one of the key aspects. However, they miss something.

Governments can, and in many jurisdictions will, still go ahead and force a transition to EVs. Or indeed hydrogen. The thing that will then give is the application.

So you argue that long journeys become either much longer or even impractical. Yes, but that does not mean you will not have an EV. It means that if you want a car it will be an EV, and you will not make those long journeys. Similarly, you live in a city with no off-road parking and public charging points are insecure and expensive. Yes, but if you want a car in the city you will put up with that. This will lead to lower car ownership. Yes, and your government is fine with that. Similarly battery safety. Maybe they will be banned from underground parking. Yes, just means you will not be able to use them as you do now, so you will not drive to those places.

You have to turn it around to see what is coming. What is coming is a change in social and economic behavior, driven by the change from ICE to EV. Your government is not interested in whether you can carry on as before, or in whether it costs you more, or whether you like it.

Take the UK as an example. They are not going to repeal the Climate Change Act in the next four years, the move to EVs is going to happen, whatever the electorate thinks or wants. Starmer is going to stay in office, Miliband likewise. Or maybe Miliband will become Prime Minister. But the UK in 2030 is going to feel rather different than the UK today or a few years back.

Being unable to deliver reliable power, its going to move everyone to smart meters and variable rate electricity cost, so you will only use power when the weather gives plenty of it. You will drive an EV which will be charged either at expensive public charge points or at an expensive smart meter rate. Maybe that means you’ll change your mind about car ownership or use. That is fine.

Look at the former Soviet Union for an example. They had no power to make any changes, so they adapted to the requirements. Or Afghanistan – a recent piece in a UK paper about some visiting women records their surprise at being able to walk around casually outside. Governments possessed by the Net Zero mania will basically tell you to shut up and adjust. And you will have no choice.

Amazon is about to brick its old Kindles. You don’t like it? They are not interested in your feelings, live with it. That is just how it is,