About the Across the Sky podcast. The weekly weather podcast is hosted on a rotation by the Lee Weather team: Matt Holiner of Lee Enterprises' Midwest group in Chicago, Kirsten Lang of the Tulsa World in Oklahoma, Joe Martucci of the Press of Atlantic City, N.J., and Sean Sublette of the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia.
Banning gas vehicle sales is unnecessary
I'm writing in response to the recent article, “AP-NORC/EPIC poll: 4 in 10 say next vehicle may be electric,” April 11, that indicates about 4 in 10 U.S. adults are at least somewhat likely to go electric for their next vehicles.
While moving toward greener forms of transportation is vital to fighting climate change, the Biden administration's efforts to raise EV sales in the U.S., along with state-level mandates to outright ban gas-powered vehicles, are wholly unnecessary. The demand for EVs, as indicated by this poll, has been organically increasing over time, and the government doesn’t need to push harder for their adoption, especially by adopting California’s mandates here in the commonwealth.
Auto companies are already investing billions of dollars in factories and battery technology to speed up the switch to EVs, and Tesla's plan to make some of its charging stations available to all U.S. electric vehicles by the end of next year is a potential game-changer in promoting EV use.
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I believe that the market will embrace electric vehicles at its own pace, without the need for government interference. Mandating EVs could result in resistance from consumers and create a burden on those who cannot afford them. Trust that people know what is best for themselves and their families – if they want an EV they can make that decision – without the government inserting its opinion.
Minesh Patel, chairman of the Virginia Asian American Store Owners Association.
Richmond.
From the Archives: Richmond shops and shoppers of the past
05-02-1976 (cutline): Neighborhood changes have affected Carter's Store: With business down, future is uncertain.
05-02-1976 (cutline): Just visiting---The two antique stools in Carter's Store often are occupied by visiting neighbors, such as Mrs. Pearl Lett (seated at left), who is chatting with members of the Carter family, Mrs. Edna Carter (also seated) and (from left) Mrs. Floyd Carter Humphrey, Miss Louise Carter and a full-time employee, Mrs. Mary Ford.
12-27-1971 (cutline): Bargain-hunting shoppers mob store for annual post-yule sales.
02-22-1967: Richmonders wait for local shop to open. Line forms outside in anticipation for sales.
02-24-1970: Richmond shoppers pack area stores looking for deals on George Washington's birthday sale weekend.
12-07-1968 (cutline): Pat Clayton (left) and Bill Greenlaw of the West End Jaycees help underprivileged youngsters pick out Christmas presents. Sixty children were invited to shop with the Jaycees at the G.C. Murphy Company store at Willow Lawn Shopping Center yesterday. Each child was given $5 to spend as he chose. A visit by Santa and a party sponsored by the staff of Murphy's followed the shopping trip.
11-1970: Shoppers look around at Woolworth's in downtown Richmond.
07-02-1946 (cutline): Rush for meet at O.P.A. Prices--Within 15 minutes after this Richmond store opened today 125 meal tickets had been given out. Butcher Charles M. Feitig holds up a nice chunk of beef which will be sold in conformance with OPA price ceilings. This store, like many others, has announced it will not raise prices to the consumer until the price it pays to the wholesaler is increased.
08-12-1977 (cutline): Remodeling is under way at two stores on East Grace Street downtown. The former May Co. Store at Sixth and Grace streets will be a Standard Drug Co. store and a branch of First & Merchants National Bank.
08-12-1977 (cutline): Closeout sale drew shoppers who crowded the sidewalk outside the entrance.
09-28-1946 (cutline): This crowd in front of a Richmond grocery store, on a day when it was noticed that hard to get items were available.
