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Anjani Trivedi

The $6 Trillion Barrier Holding Electric Cars Back

Sales are surging, but the costs of building the associated infrastructure suggest this will be a lengthy transition.

Earn more than $300,000? You can be in the clean vehicle club.

Earn more than $300,000? You can be in the clean vehicle club.

Photographer: AFP/Getty Images

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all drive without dirtying the air we breathe? Alas, not everyone can afford an electric car.

The good news is the death of the internal combustion engine is nearing and electric-vehicle sales are on a tear. Countries that together account for more than 10 percent of global auto sales have detailed plans to phase out conventional gasoline-powered cars. Include China, and that jumps to 40 percent.