Another study says the grid needs to improve to make EVs worthwhile

[SVOboy]

Check it out, same bit as my last post, but a newer bit of research that also includes EVs and fuel cell junk: http://gas2.org/2008/04/17/mit-study...ions-for-2030/

[Arminius]

Thanks.

I guess the last paragraph says it all:

This certainly begs the question of what the point is, anyway. If everything past HEV looks like it’s coming out a wash, why should we change our habits and through all this money at PHEV and FCV production? The answer is simple, though not always apparent. When the energy burden is shifted from each individual automobile (with numbers in the millions) to a much smaller number of power plants, government regulations and new technologies will be much easier to apply. Try to imagine changing every car on the road to a HEV, and then imagine making a law saying that the grid must be 20% renewable in 10 years. It will be much easier, especially on the average citizen, to have a large change take place in a much more concerted, and less individual manner.

A couple things worth adding: Since the fuels needed to make electricity are abundant, and oil is not, moving to electric vehicles helps ensure our future stability with regard to oil resources. Since electric power can be made without fossil fuels, we need not be concerned with the pollution IF we are willing to make the move. Also, electric vehicles have far fewer moving parts and require less maintenance, resulting in even less waste.

[trebuchet03]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Check it out, same bit as my last post, but a newer bit of research that also includes EVs and fuel cell junk: http://gas2.org/2008/04/17/mit-study...ions-for-2030/

This might interest you, Ben...



Data Source: http://www.bts.gov/publications/nati...on_statistics/

[roflwaffle]

What's the chart from?

[trebuchet03]

Originally Posted by roflwaffle

What's the chart from?

Doh! sorry, forgot to put the data source...

http://www.bts.gov/publications/nati...on_statistics/

I just put it in an easier to see chart/graph format.

[roflwaffle]

Thanks!

[hvatum]

Cool chart, great information.

Just underlies the need to invest in stable, environmentally friendly power, anyone who read the earlier thread knows my position on that

[Arminius]

Greenpeace founder comments on nuclear power:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/131753?GT1=43002

[dremd]

Greening of the Grid isn't all that hard. just give Texas style tax incentives to wind. It would take a while, but it would definitely help.

On another note MANY homes are terribly wasteful with electricity. The gap could be shrunk by simple home conservation.

Case in point. A friend wanted to put up Solar panels to offset his electric bill.
Odly enough I talked him out of it. I talked him in to conservation (at least 2 start).
We cut his electric bill from $500~$700 a month down to around $250 (only 3 months now). Me and him spent 2 days Re-connecting HVAC lines, cleaning coils, getting his heat pump working, great foaming cracks, calking windows, making doors close all the way, making it easier to close the windows all the way, fixed his attic vent, put his 2 units on 2 thermostats, added dusk 2 dawn sensors on his outdoor lights and a few other bits.

Regardless for about $1000 + 4 person days he cut his electricity consumption by more than 50% (summer will tell the true tale). He isn't the only only one.

[Arminius]

Great advice. We've become such a consumer culture that it's second nature to buy something to solve the problem, rather than fixing what we already have.