Readers Write: Electric vehicles, guns, the War Department, the Star Tribune print edition

Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes letters from readers online and in print each day. To contribute, click here.

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The auto dealers’ representative reports there is almost nonexistent electric vehicle infrastructure in Minnesota (“EV sales soar as tax credit set to expire, but range still a worry for state’s drivers,” Sept. 7).

Yes, renters face obstacles in having overnight, “level 2” charging access. Older homes may need upgraded electrical panels.

But please, let’s talk about charging away from home with “level 3” chargers — the ones that charge between 15 and 60 minutes. I’ve taken road trips all in every direction in the last five years. Each year, the charging availability improves. New adapters now let non-Tesla drivers use Tesla’s vaunted Supercharger network. My last trip took no longer than a gas vehicle trip and the cost was about the same. The first time can be a learning experience, but after that it’s a snap.

The auto dealers might look no further than some of their own members, who have taken the leap to install their own chargers. C-stores in Minnesota and elsewhere are opening new ones regularly.

The complaint goes, “No one will buy an EV since there aren’t any chargers, and no one will build a charger unless there are some EVs in our community.” It’s a classic chicken-and-egg problem. However, you could follow the example of your leading members who have installed chargers, help drive demand and offer more consumer choices. As Lee Iacocca would say, “In the automobile industry, you either lead, follow, or get out of the way!”

Paul Gardner, Shoreview

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Sigh. Another article pushing the old saw that now is not the time to buy an EV because of lack of infrastructure and range anxiety. What nonsense.

I have been driving EVs for eight years. I have made three road trips between Minneapolis and Madison, Wis., (once in zero-degree weather) and multiple trips up to the North Shore. This summer I took my Hyundai Ioniq 5 all the way to Grand Portage, Minn. And about once a month I take day trips around the state. I am not a particularly ambitious road tripper, but I have met people who are, traveling to places like California, Arizona and Texas.

EV drivers have numerous options for charging on road trips. In the past year alone, I have charged at Electrify America, EVGO, Circle K, ChargePoint and Tesla chargers (and I don’t own a Tesla). I use excellent apps, PlugShare and A Better Routeplanner, to ensure I find the best chargers for my trips. Yes, we need to keep growing the charger network, but in my experience, that is happening right now. And of course we need to get more chargers for apartment and condo dwellers, but if you have a house, chances are you can charge an EV there. Even after the federal EV tax credits end, it will still be an excellent time to buy electric vehicles.

And the used market is booming! The trade journals report that the used market has grown 61% since last year and will continue to grow because a large number of electric vehicles come off leases every year. Just Google “used EVs” to see how many are available and at good prices.

If you are looking to buy a new car, do not get sucked into the anti-EV hype. Talk to EV owners, go the Facebook group MNEVOwners, test drive a vehicle. Now is a great time to buy the most enjoyable car you’ve ever owned.

Stuart Henry, Minneapolis

With the whole gun control discussion, I keep hearing a major refrain of “it’s a mental health issue, not a gun issue.” So I’m wondering what it would take, and how successful it would be, if the number of mental health providers were increased by thousands, that funding was increased by millions and any stigmas to seek care were eliminated. It could very well help to reduce gun violence.

But here’s the catch: Where will we find those providers, who would likely have to agree to a minimal payment from a government-backed health plan? Is Congress prepared to significantly fund those providers, those after-school programs, those mentors for students, those parenting classes, those preschool programs, those gang task forces? I’m not sure about that level of commitment from Congress. I’m reminded of a statement from a physician I knew. He would say that patients would comment after they had a major cardiac event or surgery, “Wow, I’ll do anything not to have another one of those.” What they really meant is that they “would take any pill to avoid a repeat.” Apparently we want quick and easy even in the face of avoiding death.

I’m pulling for the “pill” treatment first. For our elections it’s not the “economy, stupid,” it’s the guns. Vote for gun control.

Steven McCormack, Hugo

President Donald Trump wants to change the name of the Defense Department to the War Department while at the same time wanting a Nobel Peace Prize.

Dear Donald, I don’t think you can have it both ways.

David M. Perlman, New Hope

It’s hard to believe that we don’t have capacity in-state to accommodate printing of the local newspaper, owned by local printing billionaire Glen Taylor.

Moving the deadlines will mean no news for most sport events in the morning issue, which will lose the most of its value and potentially might be sunset, as the stock exchange section was earlier this year.

This trend ruins the whole essence of the morning newspaper and converts it to a magazine!