At a recent rally, Marjorie Taylor Greene, a prominent figure in the far-right wing of Georgia politics, launched a critique of electric vehicles (EVs) that left many scratching their heads.
During a Sunday rally, Greene took aim at EVs, asserting, “If you think gas prices are high now, just wait until you’re forced to drive an electric vehicle.” This statement was met with resounding agreement from the audience, despite its puzzling nature. Greene continued, stating, “America is sick of it,” which echoed through the crowd, though the rationale behind her disapproval remained elusive.
Critics were quick to point out the disconnect in Greene’s argument. Electric cars operate on electricity, not gasoline, prompting questions about her understanding of the issue. Is she confusing EVs with hybrids, which utilize gasoline alongside electricity? Or perhaps her remarks hint at a deeper, unsubstantiated theory suggesting that rising gas prices are a deliberate strategy to coerce Americans into adopting electric vehicles fueled by government incentives.
Notable author Stephen King responded with disbelief, saying, “You can’t make this crap up,” while others chimed in, highlighting the flawed economic reasoning behind Greene’s assertions. Despite widespread derision, a surprising number of individuals on social media rallied behind Greene’s comments, citing similar conspiracy theories linking gas price hikes to a purported agenda pushing EV adoption.
In reality, federal financial incentives for lowering carbon emissions encourage the use of electric vehicles as a step towards cleaner energy sources. While there is still a certain dependence on fossil fuels for power production, both state and federal initiatives seek to reduce this dependence. Rather than being a coercive measure, the switch to electric vehicles (EVs) reflects broader concerns about sustainability and climate change.
Although skepticism is a good thing in public debate, baseless conspiracy theories simply complicate crucial discussions about environmental stewardship and energy policy. As a society, we must understand the facts underlying renewable energy programs as they confront the problems of the twenty-first century.