US Losing Bus War to China

Air pollution in China is arguably the worst in the world.   Health experts estimate that urban air pollution in China is responsible for up to one million premature deaths per year.  The prime cause of air pollution in China is the country's dependence on coal fired power plants for electricity.  The Chinese government has an aggressive plan in place to retire or convert (to gas) coal fired plants.  Another significant Chinese initiative attacking air pollution has been the wholesale replacement of diesel powered buses with electric vehicles.  

The bus wars are over and electricity has won — thanks to a big boost from China.

In fact, when it comes to electric bus purchases, China is outpacing the United States by an astounding 421,000 to 300 as of the end of 2018.

Thanks to China’s massive investment in and support for electric buses, electrics are now racing past a 50% share of new bus sales worldwide, according to a recent analysis by Bloomberg NEF (BNEF).

The use of electric powered buses is growing rapidly on a global basis, except in the US.  Since public transit is such a low priority, the initial cost of electric powered buses has had a significant impact on their adoption in the US.  China and many other countries solve that problem by subsidizing the initial cost of the buses knowing that the over the long term these buses will cost far less to operate and maintain.

The future is electric both from a cost and, more critically and environmental standpoint.  Right now, China is the future and the US doesn't realize how badly it is losing the war.

The Chinese have a 99% stranglehold on production and use of electric batteries. The United States has little chance of matching China until we have a president and Congress that understand that the urgency and inevitability of a carbon-free future means the nation that makes the biggest bets on clean technology will reap the most rewards in the years to come.