November, 8, 2022
By Prof. Samitha Hettige
Sri Lankans generally forget but suddenly remembered the long fuel queues which existed few months back in the past few days. Those who drive electric cars couldn’t make new friends at the fuel queues during the shortages. The European Union recently agreed on enacting new laws to systematically reduce and finally ban the sale of new fossil fuel powered cars from 2035 with the objective of combating climate change. If implemented, it will ban such vehicles in the 27 countries of the EU. The discussions also focused on a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions for new cars sold from 2030 in the EU. As per EU stats emissions from transport sector amounts to 25% and emissions from cars amount to 15% of all CO2 emissions in EU (Ref EU stats).
China is already experimenting solar powered roads which can recharge electric vehicles while moving. Being the world’s biggest automobile market China expects to increase the sale of electric cars by 20% by 2025. According to analysts, Chinese auto makers will be able to expand their market to the EU with the recently achieved advanced safety standards for their electric vehicles. China’s historic international hub Shanghai is already building a smart green transport system as part of China’s master plan to be carbon neutral by 2060. It includes plans to build 760,000 charging piles and 70 hydrogen refueling stations within Shanghai by 2025 (Ref Shanghai officials).
Electric car producers from the EU have been enjoying a big stake of the electric car market in the USA. They are concerned about the new moves in the USA connected with the “Inflation Reduction Act” and are expecting the USA to allow EU firms special status to enjoy the market share it enjoyed. With the new act US authorities have granted tax breaks for US made electric cars and batteries making it tough for EU electric car producers to enjoy good sales. EU producers are requesting its traditional friend USA to grant similar facilities it granted to producers from Canada and Mexico. While those who drive electric cars in SL couldn’t make new friends at the fuel queues, those who produce electric cars in the EU seem to be losing friends across the Atlantic due to market behavior (Ref. US stats).
SL’s historic friend China granted more than a million liters of Diesel for SL farmers and fisher folks to strengthen livelihoods at the grassroots which will have an impact on the big economic picture and stability in SL. It is an unprecedented move by the old friend to ensure right to life. China’s Belt and Road ensured continuous supply of fertilizer ensuring the right to life of millions of suffering Afghans soon after the USA ended its occupation in 2021. SL public who generally forget should remember that fossil fuel stocks on earth will finish soon and start planning towards 2048 learning from friends such as China who will move forward slow but steady.
(Writer is an academic and a broadcaster, views expressed is personal).
Video Story
