Wrong Turns on the Road to “Green” Cars

Do you represent any cutting-edge companies?  Do you think that their popularity is sustainable, or will their innovations quickly be replaced with something better?

As recruiters, you may want to investigate what experts are saying about the cutting-edge fields you help every day.  You might find some surprising information that might cause a diminishing need for you to find new employees to place into the profession.

One example of research that suggests something new may be quickly phased out is a report that criticizes the eager embrace of electric cars.

Amy Kaleita, Ph.D. of the Pacific Research Institute recently published Car-tastrophe: How federal policy can help, not hinder, the greening of the automobilewhich explores how current trends to make American cars more ecologically friendly are actually having adverse effects on the environment.

She explores the environmental implications of several commercially available vehicle and fuel types, and indentifies where policies could be improved to result in net benefits to Americans.

“Both biofuels and electric vehicles are highly incentivized by federal actions; yet, the environmental benefits of both remain questionable. Policy makers must look beyond tailpipe emissions and consider economic sustainability, performance and functionality, and overall environmental health,” said Dr. Kaleita.

Car-tastrophe debunks several myths fueling the push for more biofuels and electric vehicles.  The report exposes how many biofuels, namely those most common in the U.S. sourced from corn and soybeans, can have significant negative environmental impact.  It also suggests that plug-in hybrids are only cost-competitive and more environmentally sound than other options when they are short-range vehicles charged every 20 miles or less.