Publication1 2021 Issue 1

24 KENTUCKY AUTO DEALER will question whether reliance on the franchise system still makes sense. Tesla and new startups like Rivian, Lordstown Motors and Lucid Motors have sales models that are all direct to the consumer. “Direct sales sound like a good idea, but again, people need and want face-to-face communication,” he said. “They want access to recall information and advice they can trust. Our traditional manufacturers spent decades perfecting manufacturing. Dealers spent generations getting sales just right. We work best together when we complement each other.” He is critical of companies that don’t invest in their communities. “The big companies won’t sponsor the Little League team, and they won’t employ as many people. Dealers employ thousands. Companies like Carvana and Vroom don’t.” Steve knows new powertrains are on everybody’s mind, and he thinks we all have a responsibility to protect and improve the environment. “EVs get the most press,” he said, “but EVs are not right for everybody. Hydrogen is probably the more valid solution to greenhouse gas pollution. Tax incentives should be extended to all forms of electrification on a state and federal level. That means hybrids, plug-in hybrids, pure EV and hydrogen. We need to try and work with Congress to make sure that all of the powertrains are recognized as vital and help Congress understand they all deserve tax incentives.” Hydrogen cars haven’t gotten the same press as EVs, but they are selling in the ZEV states, especially California. For example, the Toyota Mirai has a 600-mile range and can be filled up in 5-6 minutes. The exhaust is water. Steve sees EV as an interim step toward hydrogen-powered cars. “Hydrogen will be viable,” Steve said. “Honda, Hyundai, Kia, General Motors and Ford have all been working on it. But lack of infrastructure is holding back development for all these alternative vehicles.” An aging power grid poses a particular problem for EVs. “We saw it in Texas in February 2021. People with electric cars were stranded. Also, charging is slow. It takes a long time to charge with a 110-V outlet, although Tesla does have a rapid charger,” he said. Steve doesn’t think it will be possible to solve the problem individually, either. “Getting solar panels and battery backup isn’t possible for everybody; I live in a house that was built in the 1900s with a pitched slate roof. I could not even remotely put solar panels on my roof.” He hopes the Biden administration will dramatically expand the charging infrastructure for EVs; if it does, the expansion will make things easier for drivers. Still, charging stations don’t solve the aging power-grid problems, and Steve thinks the U.S. needs to think more about hydrogen. “If we really do get to the point where we are adding all these power stations, we have to think about hydrogen. Big trucks need it: they are huge polluters. Fortunately, there are already commercial semis in testing that have hydrogen power trains.” Absent that infrastructure, Steve has doubts about EVs. “You can’t count on pure electric. The battery is affected by hot and cold weather, and if you get in an accident or get stuck, even 500 miles CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23