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and prone to failure. The contrast with gas stations, which are ubiquitous and highly convenient, couldn’t be starker. The government didn’t have to subsidize the oil companies to construct gas stations at the beginning of the 20th century, or tell them to offer free maps, branch out into oil changes and other services, or begin to stay open 24 hours.

There is, no doubt, a niche market for electric cars that will grow over time. Rather than letting this happen organically and in keeping with consumer preferences and sensible business choices by car manufacturers, the mandarins of the Biden administration are trying to force a transformation that drivers aren’t ready for and the infrastructure doesn’t yet exist to support.

Secretary Buttigieg so far has had to explain away failure, and he might have to get used to it.

Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review.

(c) 2024 by King Features Synd., Inc.