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New reports suggest that increased use of electric cars may in some areas of the US actually increase carbon emissions. Just when you thought we were on to something that might actually help!
Earlier this year, Business Ethics piblished the article, ‘Will More Electric Cars Increase Reliance on Coal?’ In the article, they report that “upwards of half of all the electricity in the U.S. is derived from coal.”
The implications of this are clear, plugging in your electric car will mean it will more than likely be charged by electricity from coal. And as more electric cars come on the market, maybe more coal will be needed.
Similarly, a very interesting article, with great graphics, appreared in a recent issue of Scientific America;
Related posts:
on Jul 29th, 2010
@ 7:11 pm:
The concept of an electric car is great – if the electricity comes from wind or solar! Sadly for Central Indiana, where over 95% of our electricity comes from coal, and which is among the worst cities in the country when it comes to mass transit and suburban sprawl, an electric vehicle is a poor strategic application. In addition, carbon emissions per mile for an electric car fueled by coal is higher than that of a car fueled by gasoline, making Indiana a very poor choice for the country.
Electrification is supported by electric companies like Duke Energy who have much to gain. Crank up the coal plants! Or start building nuclear plants if the electricity demand warrants it.
The country is better off investing in electric mass transit.
Press Release
Electric Car Coming to Indiana
InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report
The smart fortwo electric drive will make it its first appearance in Indiana when it is unveiled during an event at smart center Indianapolis next week. Indianapolis is one of only five U.S. launch cities to receive vehicles in smarts electric car test program, and the all-electric smart car was just introduced in the United States last month. This exclusive event gives local dignitaries and leaders in the transportation electrification movement an exclusive look.
The event will begin with short presentation to
on Aug 1st, 2010
@ 3:02 pm:
Regarding EVs and Carbon output from Coal fired plants:
How much CO2 is emitted by EVs varies, just like a Yukon SUV or Ferrari Testarossa burns a lot more gas than a Geo Metro or Harley Davidson.
Consider an electric bike an EV for a moment.
I do not know what the reports are saying. However, my electric bike takes me 10 miles on way less than 1/2 kWh of power. These bikes can be ridden in many areas, in many seasons…granted not all of the time, but a lot of the time at least.
One gallon of gasoline contains over 70 times the energy (36 kWh) in one 1/2 kWh charge in my battery pack, and produces about 20 pounds of CO2 when burned.
One kWh of Coal fired electricity makes about 2 pounds of CO2 (US EPA), and I can go 20 miles on a 1/2 kWh charge. So, my e bike only produces about 1/2 pound of C02 to travel 20 miles.
My Ford F150 gets 20 miles to the gallon on the road, and emits about 20 pounds of CO2 for that gallon containing about 36 kWh of energy.
The Nissan Leaf can travel up to 100 miles (good luck on that) on its 24 kWh battery pack. 24 kWh x 2 pounds/kWh = 48 pounds of CO2 to travel that 100 miles on coal fired power.
For gasoline, if you get say 25 miles to the gallon, then that is 4 gallons to go the 100 miles, and 4 gallons x 20 pounds CO2 per gallon of gasoline gives you 80 pounds of CO2 per the same 100 miles. If you get 50 mpg, then the car is emitting 2 x 20 = 40 pounds of CO2. =
Where we live, most people drive pickup trucks, SUVs, and medium sized cars. There are very few 50 mpg cars running about. People in the large city not too far away are riding more and more bikes, carpoooling, and taking public transit.
The transportation related CO2 emitted at the end of the day actually depends on a few things:
1. How efficient the EV is
2. The MPG of the gas rig you are comparing it to
3. The availability of renewable energy
4. How much you drive
5. How much you carpool and or ride public transit
EVsRock!