I have my doubts that I will ever own an electric car. Battery technology has improved a lot as has solar generation but still electric cars are heavily dependent on the fossil fuel-based power grids, as it’s difficult to generate and store a lot of electricity in a limited space. Almost every off-grid household relies on fossil energy – be it diesel or gasoline for their cars and trucks – and propane for cooking and heating – with maybe the supplement of wood.

I do think there is a strong future for electric buses and intra-urban transportation. Many people may choose electric cars in the future, especially those who live in the city and want a second car, have solar panels and can plan appropriately. Electric vehicles are more efficient and cleaner, especially in high pollution, densely packed urban areas. Moreover, electric drive trains are simpler and potentially much more reliable and long-lasting. But they still consume an enormous amount of energy which is difficult to generate on site using renewables.

Which is to say that I don’t believe we will meet our ambitious climate change goals and is going to be serious impacts to our economy and planet as a whole. But some action is better than none and indeed reducing the carbon intensity of society and energy use more generally, limiting greenhouse gases is better than no action at all.