Payam Javan: Electric vehicle failures are becoming a prevalent concern, with Wyoming’s Teton County and the town of Jackson facing a notable setback. Having purchased eight electric buses, the local authorities find themselves in a predicament as all the buses have broken down, necessitating a reliance on their existing fleet of 31 diesel buses. This failure has stirred criticism, attributing such green energy mishaps to what is described as tragicomic liberalism.

The Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit (START) system, heavily reliant on support from Proterra, a California-based electric bus manufacturer, experienced challenges despite Congress allocating over $5.5 billion for eco-friendly buses in 2021. Proterra’s subsequent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in August has raised questions about the efficacy of such investments, with CEO Gareth Joyce citing market and macroeconomic challenges. The article suggests a broader skepticism towards the allocation of funds for green energy initiatives.

The irony deepens as the affluent Teton County, known for its high per-household wealth and deliberate efforts to inconvenience driving in favor of alternative transportation, faces the consequences of the electric bus failure. The region’s residents, despite their financial standing, are determined to continue their pursuit of green solutions, planning to buy new electric buses. However, this endeavor will require finding a new supplier, raising doubts about whether this move will address the underlying issues or simply perpetuate the cycle of challenges associated with adopting green technologies in extreme weather conditions.