Just a thought
@GardenGerty (169406)
United States
March 3, 2024 7:16am CST
I saw an article about new sources for lithium, which I presume is news because it is used in batteries for electric cars.
My brain immediately asked, "What are all the mechanics going to do for work, when we switch away from internal combustion engines to electric engines?" Does their skill and expertise still apply? I do not know.
Who is going to work on these new vehicles?
I want to know, and I am open to opinions. I just have not read much on the topic.
Are we going to see a new class of people out of work?
11 people like this
10 responses
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Mar 24
Sometimes I wonder what is the point of new inventions if it just puts people out of work. And authorities do things to supposedly save the tax-payer money but then discover they're not getting as much revenue so have to come up with a new tax or whatever.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
4 Mar 24
Or "save the environment" when the new technology actually causes more damage in the long run.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
5 Mar 24
@JudyEv And then they become invasive species.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381815)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Mar 24
@GardenGerty Inventors/scientists often don't think things through quite enough. And they don't always test things thoroughly. For instance, I don't know how many bugs, animals and plants were introduced trying to kill off something else.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
9 Mar 24
@rebelann I am afraid we may be in for some nasty surprises.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
4 Mar 24
Disposing of old batteries or of cars that do not last as long are also problems with these new cars.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Mar 24
Maybe we'll just go back to the horse and carriage.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
4 Mar 24
Might be nice. The mechanics can learn to work on buggies, and how to shoe horses.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Mar 24
@GardenGerty ........And probably charge big for each.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
4 Mar 24
I have heard the cars do not last as long and are heavier, creating more wear and tear on the infrastructure. Yes, more waste to dispose of.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502194)
• Italy
4 Mar 24
@GardenGerty Correct! Electric cars are heavier because ALL those batteries needed to power them are heavy. It takes up to 6 hours to re-charge, when in a couple of minutes you fill up a normal car. I do not believe that electric cars will solve the pollution problem.
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
3 Mar 24
Mechanics are safe as it will take years before they are not needed for gas vehicles. And new ones will be learning to work on the electric vehicles.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
4 Mar 24
I will never be able to afford an electric vehicle. I wonder if people will still be able to do their own minor things, like oil changes.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
4 Mar 24
@GardenGerty We don't even try that anymore. Getting to the filter has gotten almost impossible.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
5 Mar 24
@wolfgirl569 There are several "modern changes" that have made do it yourself almost impossible.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222288)
• United States
4 Mar 24
I honestly don't know. The older mechanics will be forced to learn the new technology or be out of work I would think...although it's going to be a while until everyone has an EV. Have a good week. The thought of having one more thing to dispose of makes me sick.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
5 Mar 24
Yes, it is sickening. And they do not last as long.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
3 Mar 24
I don't think so. Look at all the "classic car" afficionados out there. Plus, I'm sure some mechanics are already getting schooled in the "new fangled" ones. And just because a car is battery-powered doesn't mean it can't get a flat tire, or have it's windshield broken, or get into an accident...
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
4 Mar 24
Yes, all those things will remain the same. Hopefully body shops will be prepared to work on them. Accidents will always happen.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
4 Mar 24
That's a very valid concern! The shift to electric vehicles will undoubtedly impact the auto repair industry. While some traditional skills like tire rotations and brake checks will still be necessary, electric cars do require less frequent maintenance and have fewer moving parts compared to gasoline-powered vehicles.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
5 Mar 24
Maybe they can become airplane mechanics.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
4 Mar 24
There is always change. Nothing stays quite the same.
@2ndchances24 (12188)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
3 Mar 24
If B stays in office there's going to be a lot of
people out of work which is what they want so they
can rely on the "GOVT" to rely on & break us ALL.
Those that haven't worked since the C virus still
don't have a job to feed their families & on Govt
assistance that don't give them hardly enough to
pay the bills & feed the family, & homeless.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
4 Mar 24
Some jobs did disappear. People have learned to do without many things because of the virus. A lot of the government subsidies that were in place have disappeared.
