Comments on: Why do people keep insisting that electric cars are more green than other cars?

By: Greener is Better

Greener is Better — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 03:28:10 +0000

They are, the electricity uses less polutants then the gasoline does. There is less filters needed to be installed, less oil changes, better for the enviornment in all ways!

By: dana1981

dana1981 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:55:18 +0000

Probably because the people you’re referring to are aware of the scientific studies which have shown that electric cars are more environmentally friendly than internal combustion engine cars.

Basically, because large power plants and electric engines are far more efficient than internal combustion engines, electric vehicles produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than regular cars even if the entire power grid were fueled by burning coal.

ICE = gasoline car (internal combustion engine)
HEV = hybrid gas-electric car (uses gasoline to recharge batteries)
EV = electric vehicle (plugs in to recharge batteries)

“EVs reduce CO2 by 11%-100% compared with ICEs and by 24%-54% compared with HEVs, and significantly reduce all other greenhouse gas emissions, using the U.S. grid mix. If all U.S. cars were EVs, we’d reduce global warming emissions. Using electricity strictly from coal, EVs still would reduce CO2 by 0%-59% compared with ICEs (one analysis found 0% change; six others found reductions of 17%-59%) and might produce 30%-49% more CO2 than HEVs (based on only two analyses). On the other hand, if electricity comes from solar or wind power, EVs eliminate all emissions. Using natural gas to make electricity, emissions fall in between those from coal and renewable power.”

By: Fred_Hunt

Fred_Hunt — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:43:14 +0000

Because the pollution has moved, it’s another not in my backyard.

By: emiss

emiss — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:57:01 +0000

When you Found cause to give abuse to Kennilope. It is YOU who is exercising dumbness. there are many ways of producing electricity including solar and fuel cells, but your one track mind is not open to to new ideas so God help scientist of the future if we have to stay with flint stone intelligent

By: Juleette

Juleette — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:59:35 +0000

there not, electric cars are run by coal or nucular power, solar is or walking.:)

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 11:22:46 +0000

Electric cars are part of a system. You also need to build nuclear, solar, and wind powered plants.

But you don’t wait for any part to build the other.

In the meantime they’re not as bad as you might think. This source is obviously somewhat biased. I don’t fully trust their numbers, but the basic points they’re making are correct.

kennilope’s answer isn’t bad. The basic points are correct, even if the English isn’t good. Many studies show that an electric car still gets over 50 mpg (equivalent) when powered by fossil fuels. Making and using electricity is more efficient than all but a few internal combustion engines.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:50:54 +0000

Agreed, electric cars which are charged from traditional grids are not as environmentally friendly as most people believe. That electricity is generated elsewhere, usually by burning, unless you live near a large hydro electric dam or near a lot of windmills. In the case of coal-fired electricity, you’re just moving the pollution from all over the street to the source of the power.

The greenest transportation would be an electric vehicle which is charged from a renewable source. If your home were set up for solar-electric generation, you could use your home’s electricity to charge your car’s batteries. If your home is near a hydroelectric dam or a wind power generation area, then you’re much greener than the rest of the coal fired electric areas.

Ultimately, a solar car which recharges itself while driving would be ideal.

By: Pappa Poopy

Pappa Poopy — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 05:39:52 +0000

Duh, um, but you didn’t hear of the “Green Coal Power”. It is supposed to be more gooder than black coal. So new coal is more gooder than old coal. (I thought coal burning was coal burning, regardless if it’s burned in a new plant or old plant.)

You know that if NUCULAR energy is used it’s even more gooderer since we know that NUCULAR plants don’t produce black smoke, which is very bad. (Although radiation is the worst kind of pollution. I am not against nuclear power, but it is not a true “green” power source).

The only way that these cars can be effective in the “green mission” is if the power source used to charge the batteries is wind driven or hydro driven.

By: Earth to Mars

Earth to Mars — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:55:10 +0000

yes, I agree; it most likely more pollutant to the environment to drive hybrid cars because of the batters, but I think lithium batters will help and the on board recharger like in other hybrids dose cut down on emissions.

By: Harry

Harry — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:30:13 +0000

The do contribute to pollution indirectly, as you state, by virtue of the electricity generated at the power plant. However, the power there is generated much more efficiently, so, per mile travelled, electric cars generate less pollution (this does not take into consideration electricity produced by ‘green’ sources, such as wind or hydroelectric power).