So for those of us with fossil fuel cars, this could be a surprise problem:
Millions of people stuck at home for more than a year are expected hit the road for much-needed post-pandemic vacations this summer. Good luck finding gas.
Not that there’s a looming shortage of crude oil or gasoline. Rather, it’s the tanker truck drivers needed to deliver the gas to stations who are in short supply.
According to the National Tank Truck Carriers, the industry’s trade group, somewhere between 20% to 25% of tank trucks in the fleet are parked heading into this summer due to a paucity of qualified drivers. At this point in 2019, only 10% of trucks were sitting idle for that reason. [CNN/Business]
And for those of with electric cars? Well, frankly, my electric MiniCooper still only has a 110 mile range – tops. Recharge speed remains of concern. And the lack of recharge stations outside of the metro is also of concern.
But, long-term, the use of the electrical system to deliver energy, even with its inherent limitations and inefficiencies, is certainly more attractive than tanker trucks that are subject to problems ranging from weather to problems at refining plants to drivers, whether they don’t exist or are not competent. While no miracle, at least I needn’t worry about the local gas station not having gas for me.
