Spend money on roads, not electric vehicles

Times Colonist
March 19, 2013

Re: “Sticker shock stalls electric drive,” March 17.

After nearly $100,000 has been spent on three electric-vehicle charging stations in Colwood, it has been revealed that these chargers cannot be used because they lack safety stickers.

“It’s funny in one sense, but not so funny in another,” Mayor Carol Hamilton said. I wish my sense of humour was as far-reaching. I’m not convinced there’s anything even remotely funny in this circumstance.

Currently, just 300 electric cars are registered in B.C., the majority of which are run by various municipalities (vehicles purchased with taxpayers’ money). The argument from the pro-electric-vehicle lobby will be that by providing accessible charging stations, electric cars will find acceptance in the marketplace. Even with an overly generous rebate from the province of up to $5,000 per vehicle (yet more taxpayers’ money), electric technology still hasn’t proven to be an attractive alternative due to inherent design limitations.

Just how much more tax money is to be spent on a technology that isn’t finding an audience? The only “green” aspect of electric technology is the amount of tax money being spent to support just 300 cars. Surely the money would be better spent improving road infrastructure for all drivers, regardless of what they choose to drive?

Stuart Eastwood

Colwood