“I am seeking to tell a story of the automotive industry in transition, supported by detailed research and analysis of the available research and financial data,” writes Kenneth K. Boyer in his new book, The Electric Vehicle Revolution: Five Visionaries Leading the Charge. “…gasoline was inexpensive and widely available in the United States in the 1960s when GM produced…car(s).
And we didn’t yet know the extent of the harmful impacts of the extraction and burning of fossil fuels on our natural environment…gasoline and its extraction and refining were smelly and messy, thus people with the means generally chose to live a distance from oil refineries and gasoline stations…Then John Roscoe flipped a switch at a convenience store in Westminster, Colorado, on the north side of Denver to turn on the first self-service gasoline pump. The store only sold 124 gallons of gasoline that day to roughly a dozen customers, but the way people refueled their cars began to change. Today’s car drivers almost all pump their own gas, except in New Jersey and Oregon where self service is prohibited. A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.”
By highlighting the history, and more importantly the significance of that history, Boyer comes across as informed, reliable, and most importantly in touch. He isn’t preaching to a particular choir, rather a particular gospel, factually-backed and unemotional. Appropriately clinical. The result is multi-pronged, this can speak to those skeptical about the idea of replacing oil and gas, and simultaneously bolsters Boyer’s already considerable arguments, backed by facts, stats, and the ABCs of basic engineering knowledge.
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Vehicle-Revolution-Visionaries-Leading/dp/1538190745
“In addition to believing that electric cars provide a better driver experience than gasoline-powered cars, I also believe the adoption of electric vehicles is one of the best ways to reduce carbon emissions worldwide. But transitioning from gasoline to electricity as a power source requires a transformation of epic proportions. It requires rebuilding society through investments, from mining to production and assembly to the underlying energy grid that powers our daily lives,” Boyer writes. “…The book is written so that it can be read in two different ways…(it’s) organized around the introductory chapter, followed by a strategic analysis of key factors that must be mastered for success…
Alternatively to a straight read through, readers also are encouraged to pick and choose the chapters they find most interesting, as my intention is that any of these chapters can stand on its own as a story and analysis…The primary focus on American car makers in America is intentional, not to ignore the huge contributions of Chinese and European car makers. Rather this move was to preserve my own sanity and time. The electric vehicle revolution is moving so quickly that this choice was made primarily to have a chance of keeping up with the quicksand of new developments. In fact, as this book goes to press (November 15, 2023) current estimates are that 24 percent of the vehicles sold in China in Q3, 17 percent of the vehicles in Europe, and about 8 percent of American vehicles are pure electric.
Apologies for not covering the world—my hope is you find the stories and data reported in this book interesting and consider doing a little of your own research.”
Garth Thomas