After hearing our class group’s presentation about their goals of improving the transportation system of New York City, I was reminded of this photo I took during a recent trip to IKEA in Brooklyn. This is the first time I have seen charging stations for electric vehicles in person and though it does make me optimistic for the vehicles and transportation of the future, I wonder why it took so long to turn this technology into that which is even remotely more accessible to the common person (which it still isn’t really). With the great environmental potential this technology has, why are we not funneling more money into innovating the technology to be less expensive and therefore widely consumed? Why did it take so long for this technology, which has been available for much longer than it has been widespread, to catch on? Is this because they face some very powerful opponents who would benefit from the status quo remaining as is, namely fossil fuel interests and auto manufacturers? Or is it because we are not collectively ready or willing to alter our own behavioral patterns even when we know they are damaging our planet? These questions are difficult to answer, but they are important to consider as we look to transform our transportation habits.
I think a lot of the hesitation has to do with people not being ready to change their habits and buying behavior. Even Tesla has not been able to completely alter the stigma associated with electric cars.