The Jan. 9 article “Electric car fees could rise” reports that the annual electric vehicle registration fee may be raised. This would serve to discourage sustainable energy practices in Iowa.

This lower registration fee can be seen as an incentive to consumers to purchase a vehicle that runs on sustainable energy. Businesses see interest and decide to sell more electric vehicles, others see that and create infrastructure conducive to electric vehicles. The cycle continues, albeit slowly — at first. Eventually, we achieve sustainable transportation.

The argument can be made that electricity is generated from coal and therefore more polluting. However, upon investigating sources of electricity, the only case in which an electric vehicle is more polluting than gasoline is when all of our electricity comes from coal. However, only about 72 percent of Iowan electricity comes from coal.

In today’s society, sustainability must be on the forefront of our minds. Our society is growing, and — like it or not — if we don’t allow ourselves to become independent of unsustainable energies, we will run out, killing the earth in the process. Consider the consequences.

Ben Ungs

Marion