The government keeps telling everyone that the war fossil fuel can be beat by purchasing electric cars. Americans are in a bind. We can’t avoid fossil fuels, they are literally used in everything we touch every day.

As the average cost of gasoline reaches $5/gallon and electricity prices continue to increase, we are told that 1 billion people are at risk of power blackouts as the global grid is stretched to its limits with rolling blackouts.

Here in the USA, we are prone to the same issues. As nuclear, coal and natural gas power plants are being shut down, we are putting more reliance on green energy such as wind and solar. Grids are stretched thin by fossil fuel shortages, drought, heatwaves, and the failed green energy transition which can only supply 18% of our current needs.

The lack of battery storage, and issues with generation when the sun doesn't shine or the wind doesn't blow will create instabilities and more stress on grids. All of these energy problems are leading to a perfect storm of blackouts which threatens much of the Northern Hemisphere.

But there is more to this than what’s on the surface.

Let’s just focus on the USA. Supplies of natural gas, the most-used power in the U.S., has been experiencing constraints nationwide, and prices are soaring daily. The power in much of the country and part of Canada is stretched, according to North American Electric Reliability Corp.

It's among the most dire assessments yet from the regulatory body.

In California, the most populous state, climate change is being pushed, and plans to shut down the last nuclear power plant has been halted. The California Independent System Operator said this month that the state may be at risk of blackouts for the next few summers.

On the 15-state grid operated by the Mid-Continent Independent System Operator, that non-profit projects it has "insufficient" power generation to meet the highest demand periods this summer, especially in its Midwest states. This would affect consumers in 11 states, putting them at risk of outages. That’s about 42 million people.

The grid has never before given a warning of this kind ahead of the start of summer demand.

In Texas, the grid "is still at risk" of shortages despite the state's scramble to improve resilience after a February 2021 winter storm that left millions in the dark for days. Texas quickly learned that wind and solar were not the answer and this is from the top oil producing state.

If grids become stressed and break down this summer, it would be an ominous sign for things to come this winter.

So what does all this have to do with the automotive industry? The push for electrics and the increased cost of fuel had revealed an interest in electric cars as a possible option for drivers. The power grid cannot support more electric cars charging. Inevitably, people will have to limit electricity use or forced rolling blackouts will occur as supply can't meet demand.

The government is pushing for more electric car, and truck sales and manufacturers are producing vehicles under pressure. There are plenty of choices but there are many hurdles for buyers. We’ve discussed this before, and officials say gas prices don’t matter.

'Let Them Eat Tesla'

The “Let them eat Tesla,” comment from Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow touts the fact that she drives an electric cars and passes gas stations and doesn’t worry about gas prices. How arrogant!

Then she stated that she is well aware that gas prices are high. Not everyone can afford an electric vehicle, especially with today's inflation.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the average cost of an electric vehicle is $56,437 — roughly $10,000 more than the industry average. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Michigan is $59,234.

The Feds are now talking about implementing another gas tax that impacts drivers. Energy, gas and diesel prices are a huge problem. These high prices and shortages impact everyone, and apparently prices are going to rise even more. And the stress on the electric grid will impact everyone.

There is so much more to discuss on this, put your comments below and let’s start the conversation. I can also be reached on all of the major social media channels @laurenfix.

We will be reviewing all of the newest cars on our YouTube channel Car Coach Reports.

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Lauren Fix, The Car Coach®, is a nationally recognized automotive expert, media guest, journalist, author, keynote speaker and television host. A trusted car expert, Lauren provides an insider’s perspective on a wide range of automotive topics and safety issues for both the auto industry and consumers. Her analysis is honest and straightforward.

Lauren is the National Automotive Correspondent for Newsmax TV, a conservative news net carried in 23 countries and in over 35 million U.S. cable/satellite homes. She is also The Weather Channel and Inside Edition’s auto expert. Lauren Fix serves as a juror for the esteemed North American Car & Truck of the Year Awards (NACTOY).

Lauren is The Car Coach columnist for Parade Magazine and eBay Motors and writes a weekly column. She also appears weekly on USA Radio’s DayBreak USA.
Lauren is the president and founder of Automotive Aspects, Inc., a consulting firm with a wide range of multi-media services, including media consulting, broadcast messaging strategy, public relations and television production.

Lauren is the author of three books: most recently, Lauren Fix’s Guide To Loving Your Car with St. Martins Press, Driving Ambitions: A Complete Guide to Amateur Auto Racing, and The Performance Tire and Wheel Handbook.

Lauren’s broadcast experience includes Oprah, Live! With Regis and Kelly, The View, TODAY, 20/20, The Early Show, CNN, FOX News, FOX Business, MSNBC, HLN, TBS Makeover and a Movie, Inside Edition, ESPN, TBS, Discovery, Speed and NPR, to name a few. Lauren previously hosted four seasons of Talk 2 DIY Automotive on the Do-It-Yourself Network (DIY), was the National Automotive Correspondent for Time Warner Cable and hosted Female Driven on Lifetime TV.

Lauren’s articles and advice have appeared in USA Today, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, eBay, Woman’s World, Esquire, First for Women, InTouch and Self. She has also contributed content to Motor Trend, Truck Trend, Hot Rod, Car Craft and many other automotive publications.

Lauren is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA) and is an ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified technician. She inherited her love of all things automotive from her father, who owned a brake remanufacturing business and worked for many U.S. manufacturers. Lauren has been fixing, restoring and racing cars since the age of ten. She has been advising drivers almost all her life.

In addition to being a leader in positive consumer awareness and the automotive industry, Lauren is often asked to speak to groups around the world about her success in marketing, motivation, entrepreneurship, parenting and other lifestyle topics.

Lauren was named the 2015 WIN Award, 2013 SEMA Business Network “Mentor of The Year”; SEMA Business Network 2012 Woman of the Year; and awarded various Car Care Council “Automotive Communications Awards” in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Past awards include 2008 Automotive Woman Of The Year and 2010 Woman of Distinction – Entrepreneur winner. Lauren Fix was inducted into the National Women and Transportation Hall of Fame in 2009 – a very high honor for a hard working automotive professional.