EVs on Speed: The Jevons Paradox Strikes Again

About this episode

The episode discusses the Jevons Paradox and its implications for efficiency in electric vehicles and other sectors.

Mainstream economists and environmentalists share something in common. Both tend to tout efficiency -- think better light bulbs -- as the solution to climate change and all our other environmental problems. But the little-understood Jevons Paradox intervenes to overwhelm any progress that comes from improved efficiency. We skewer the efficiency gains of electric vehicles, lighting, and plenty of other sectors, and we cover ideas for avoiding the efficiency trap, including unveiling our new political platform, which is sure to take the country by storm. Sources/Links/Notes: Jason Barlow, " EVs Have Gotten Too Powerful ," Wired , September 19, 2025. Russ Heaps, " Heaviest Electric Vehicles of 2025 ," Kelley Blue Book , April 7, 2025. Wikipedia article on energy efficiency in transport that includes a table that compares many modes of transport William Stanley Jevons, The Coal Question : An Inquiry concerning the Progress of the Nation, and the Probable Exhaustion of our Coal-mines (London: Macmillan and Co., 1866). 2nd edition, revised. Tomas Kloucek, " Darkness as an Endangered Species : Why Light Pollution Matters," Earth Bridge , June 11, 2025. Scenic America, " Billboards in…

People in this episode

Host: Post Carbon Institute

Topics covered

• efficiency
• climate change
• Jevons Paradox
• electric vehicles
• environmental policy

Keywords

• Jevons Paradox
• electric vehicles
• efficiency gains
• climate change
• environmental problems

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Post Carbon Institute, Wired, Kelley Blue Book, Earth Bridge, Scenic America, Prepared Mind, 2,000 Watt Society

Books & works: The Coal Question : An Inquiry concerning the Progress of the Nation, and the Probable Exhaustion of our Coal-mines

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