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| Nissan's Leaf in an Oslo showroom |
Norway is a low-density, socialist state that enjoys cross-country skiing as its national sport. As such it also enjoys widespread public health and an environment that is cleaner than most. Norwegians aim to to keep it that way because they are buying electric cars at a remarkable rate. The Tesla Model S, a luxury saloon which garnered
Consumer Reports' Best Car of the Year award, and the economy hatch Nissan Leaf outsold all other cars including petrol fueled. In keeping with its business model, the Norwegian government is helping in a big way by providing incentives worth $8,300 per vehicle
according to the Guardian. Drivers of electric cars even enjoy free parking in city centers and use of reserved bus lanes! Statistics indicate over 21,000 electric vehicles are registered in a country of 5 million people. That compares to only 70,000 electric cars registered in the US with a population of 313 million. Sales run at over 1200 vehicles a month. Both Volkswagen and BMW are rushing to introduce their own electric cars to cash in on Norway's new love for EVs. The love affair may end, however, when 50,000 zero emission cars are registered; at that point the government will start withdrawing incentives. Even electric vehicles pose problems if there are too many of them. In Oslo, they are dominating traffic lanes reserved for buses, and unoccupied charging stands are getting harder to find, just like
parking spaces.
A related news story: China's air pollution is twenty times worse than the WorldHealth Organization recommends. Persistent smog is smothering six northern provinces and even impeding photosynthesis in plants. Experts warn that the pollution will not lift until Thursday. In Beijing particulates rose to 505 μg/m³. WHO recommends a safe level of just 25. The smog has closed schools and airports in Harbin where visibility was reduced to below 50m in some parts of the city. An associate professor at China's Agricultural University said that if current smog levels persist, Chinese agriculture will be exposed to conditions "somewhat similar to nuclear winter".
Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him--Sirach 15:17