I agree wholeheartedly with the conclusions and findings of Shaun Robinson (Lawmakers gear up for a possible mileage-based fee on electric vehicles) that there needs to be a financial cost of driving electric vehicle on Vermont roads to ensure that key pieces of infrastructure and development are paid for.
However, I believe that there should be an additional cost to help offset the carbon and overall environmental cost of bringing EVs to Vermont roads.
As a Vermont resident, I understand it can be easy to see the environmentally friendly draw of these new electric cars; however, the EV market is driving an exponential growth in domestic mineral mining. This growth will have catastrophic effects on some of America’s last untamed lands, which I and perhaps many other Vermonters would love to explore one day.
Electric cars are just another step for America’s automotive industry to keep control of our transportation system, while retaining a system that is inherently inefficient, no matter what fuel sources cars use.
As a state with low population density, the car is the backbone of our transportation system. However, to truly become a carbon-neutral society, things like public transit and ride share programs will become essential.
As a Vermonter wanting to retain our state’s climate-progressive programs, please join me in reaching out to state legislators to work to improve mass transit, and oddly enough make the car less appealing for Vermonters.
Oliver Wilson
Woodstock
