1/ There are plenty of arguments against BEVs (versus PHEVs, for example), but “they are still powered by coal” is a weak one.

Controlling pollution at a point source (i.e., a coal plant) is infinitely easier than at distributed ones (cars), and that optionality is valuable.

2/ Better arguments include poor energy return on energy invested, environmental impact of aspects of the new supply chain, fossil fuel abated per pound of battery, and the value of PHEVs as a quicker bridging strategy due to lack of convenience penalties.

3/ Because this argument has been hijacked by a huckster, society has come to accept that BEVs are ideal and PHEVs are a dirty compromise. Naturally, the reverse is true. This is part of the legacy of Elon Musk, and the planet will suffer accordingly.