The Green Premium is a relic of the past, as China's relentless march towards clean energy has made it clear: the fossil premium will be the new benchmark for North America and Europe.
Cleantech was once dismissed as an overpriced niche, but that's no longer the case. The likes of BYD, with its affordable electric hatchback priced at €22,950 ($26,552 USD), have already won the market. Tesla may still be a household name, but it can't compete with the likes of BYD on price alone.
Tariffs are the only thing keeping North American and European carmakers from going belly up, as they're forced to shell out more for fossil fuels than China's EVs. But let's not forget that the real prize is in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to Lazard, onshore wind and utility-scale solar have been the most affordable sources of energy for the last decade.
As the International Renewable Energy Agency noted, 91% of renewable energy projects commissioned in 2024 were more cost-effective than any new fossil fuel alternatives. And with investment in clean energy expected to hit $2.2 trillion by 2025, it's clear that the West is lagging behind China and other nations.
The fossil premium may seem like a distant memory now, but make no mistake: it will only grow bigger unless North Americans and Europeans wake up to this reality. The IEA estimates that China controls an estimated 90% of global solar cell production, 85% of battery cell production capacity, and 69% of rare earth mineral production – giving them a stranglehold on the global clean energy market.
The challenge for investors is finding the right balance between near-term and long-term investments. It's a delicate dance to avoid short-term power shortages or stranded assets. But if they get it right, the rewards will be substantial.
In the end, countries that can produce abundant, affordable, and clean power will dominate the next century. Those clinging to fossil subsidies and bureaucratic inertia will lose competitiveness, jobs, and influence – slowly at first but exponentially after 2030.
The West should dare to face this reality and act accordingly. It's time to invite BYD to build an EV plant in Canada, leveraging its cost and manufacturing advantages, to serve both North American and European markets. Imagine a truly affordable electric pickup truck built in Ontario – it's not protectionism, but pragmatic industrial renewal.
The fossil premium may be dead, but the real challenge is ahead: embracing the future of clean energy and AI-driven innovation. The value chain between mining and recycling minerals and selling finished goods will be highly automated, boosting productivity to unknown heights. It's time for Western companies to catch up – or risk being left in the dust.
Cleantech was once dismissed as an overpriced niche, but that's no longer the case. The likes of BYD, with its affordable electric hatchback priced at €22,950 ($26,552 USD), have already won the market. Tesla may still be a household name, but it can't compete with the likes of BYD on price alone.
Tariffs are the only thing keeping North American and European carmakers from going belly up, as they're forced to shell out more for fossil fuels than China's EVs. But let's not forget that the real prize is in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to Lazard, onshore wind and utility-scale solar have been the most affordable sources of energy for the last decade.
As the International Renewable Energy Agency noted, 91% of renewable energy projects commissioned in 2024 were more cost-effective than any new fossil fuel alternatives. And with investment in clean energy expected to hit $2.2 trillion by 2025, it's clear that the West is lagging behind China and other nations.
The fossil premium may seem like a distant memory now, but make no mistake: it will only grow bigger unless North Americans and Europeans wake up to this reality. The IEA estimates that China controls an estimated 90% of global solar cell production, 85% of battery cell production capacity, and 69% of rare earth mineral production – giving them a stranglehold on the global clean energy market.
The challenge for investors is finding the right balance between near-term and long-term investments. It's a delicate dance to avoid short-term power shortages or stranded assets. But if they get it right, the rewards will be substantial.
In the end, countries that can produce abundant, affordable, and clean power will dominate the next century. Those clinging to fossil subsidies and bureaucratic inertia will lose competitiveness, jobs, and influence – slowly at first but exponentially after 2030.
The West should dare to face this reality and act accordingly. It's time to invite BYD to build an EV plant in Canada, leveraging its cost and manufacturing advantages, to serve both North American and European markets. Imagine a truly affordable electric pickup truck built in Ontario – it's not protectionism, but pragmatic industrial renewal.
The fossil premium may be dead, but the real challenge is ahead: embracing the future of clean energy and AI-driven innovation. The value chain between mining and recycling minerals and selling finished goods will be highly automated, boosting productivity to unknown heights. It's time for Western companies to catch up – or risk being left in the dust.
, meanwhile north america and europe are still stuck on fossil fuels 
, tariffs are only making things worse, lets be real, no one wants to pay more for petrol 
, byd is killing the game with affordable electric cars that people can actually afford 
its crazy to think that by 2030 we'll be the ones who can't compete with their clean tech innovation 
meanwhile tariffs are still crippling our industries... and dont even get me started on how much investment is needed in clean energy - $2.2 trillion? thats a small price to pay for not being left behind 
$26,552 is super affordable! tariffs are definitely a major issue for north american and european carmakers 
if they can't compete on price then what's the point? 
and yeah china's got like 90% control over solar cell production 
that's wild 
BYD is killing it on price, but what about performance? Tesla's got a rep for speed & style 
Europe needs something that can match China on affordability without sacrificing range or features 
it's like they're playing the game by a different set of rules, and we're still trying to figure out how to keep up 
. And the IEA says that renewables are now cheaper than fossil fuels in most places? That's a game-changer.
. But it's not just about throwing money at the problem, it's about finding that balance between short-term gains and long-term benefits. It's like, how do you invest in an electric pickup truck without bankrupting yourself? 
. We need to get our act together, invite BYD to build an EV plant in Canada, and start embracing this new reality. It's time to stop playing catch-up and start leading the charge 
!
. we need to find a way to adapt and invest in clean energy if we want to stay competitive. it's not about protectionism or trade wars, it's about being able to produce abundant, affordable power 
It's time for a shift towards clean energy and AI innovation, period 
. china's been leading the charge on clean energy and it's clear they're not going to stop anytime soon 
. meanwhile, we're still over here shelling out $$$ for fossil fuels like there's no tomorrow 
the only thing more puzzling than tariffs is why we're not investing more in onshore wind and solar energy already 
they're already making electric cars affordable enough to take on tesla, and onshore wind & utility-scale solar are getting cheaper than fossil fuels lol. meanwhile, western companies r still stuck in the past, paying more for their own dirty energy 
They're already making electric cars that are cheaper than your grandma's used Honda Civic! BYD is a game changer, I mean, who needs Tesla when you can get an affordable EV from China for €22k? 
And let's not forget the $2.2 trillion investment in clean energy by 2025... that's a whole lotta cash 
also can you imagine an affordable electric pickup truck made right here in ontario? that's like a dream come true for car enthusiasts 
, like, who else is gonna afford a new ride?! BYD is killing it over in China and now they're trying to take over North America too 
. And let's be real, the West needs to wake up to this reality ASAP 
.
, but we need to think bigger picture 
. And with the investment in clean energy expected to hit $2.2 trillion by 2025, it's clear that this transition isn't going away 
. If they don't get it together, we'll be left in the dust, and it's not just about jobs – it's about our planet too 