Passionate Republican voters, are you ready for another example of President Joe Biden’s flawed thinking? On Wednesday, he touted the benefits of electric vehicles, including the idea that EV charging stations could “build the community” by encouraging the opening of more “fast food stores.”
Now, we all love a good burger and fries, but the idea that EV charging stations will lead to the growth of communities is a misguided one.
First, let’s examine the logic of Biden’s argument. He suggests that for every gas station that gets built, a fast food store will follow, and thus communities will be built. But this idea is rooted in a gas station model that is outdated and doesn’t apply to EV charging stations.
EV charging stations don’t require the same infrastructure as gas stations. They can be set up almost anywhere, from retail stores to existing gas stations. Moreover, they don’t require the storage of oil, which is the main reason why gas stations exist. Therefore, it’s hard to see how EV charging stations could be the catalyst for “building” communities, as Biden claims.
Second, it’s important to consider the real-world implications of Biden’s suggestion. Yes, it’s true that EVs offer many benefits, such as cost savings on gas and maintenance and environmental friendliness. However, the idea that they will lead to the opening of more fast food stores is not one that should be celebrated.
Fast food is not healthy for us or our communities. It’s often high in calories, sugar, and fat, and it contributes to the obesity epidemic that our country is facing. Furthermore, fast food restaurants often pay low wages and offer little in the way of benefits to their workers.
So, in summary, the idea that EV charging stations will lead to the growth of communities by encouraging the opening of more fast food stores is a flawed one. We need to focus on building sustainable communities that promote health, wellness, and economic prosperity.
Instead of promoting fast food, we should be investing in local businesses, small farms, and sustainable agriculture. We should be working to reduce food insecurity and improve access to healthy food options. And we should be promoting sustainable transportation options that benefit our communities, such as bike lanes and public transit.
So let’s be clear: EV charging stations are not going to “build the community” by encouraging the opening of more fast food stores. If we want to build sustainable, healthy communities, we need to focus on investing in the things that really matter: local businesses, sustainable agriculture, and smart transportation options.