EV Zero emmisions? Is electricity a clean energy source: ARTICLE

[sheepdog 44]

The grid mix in my area means i would have to get 115mpg before i have the same emissions as a Nisan Leaf. That is if i didn't buy from the largest solar plant in New England (at least in 2010) which is just in town. Or from the wind mills on the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see from Vermont to Pittsfield MA.

That is just emissions wise though. EV's are no contest when it comes to efficiency. As Neil said, 13% of the energy content in a gallon of gas is just the electricity used to refine it. A Nissan Leaf could drive 13 miles on that 4.5kwh.

[Astro]

At the end of the day its all about greed.

The scientists tell the industry there is only 50 years worth of oil left (random figure) so instead of switching over to alternatives they develop methods of making sure they can sell every last drop of the remaining supply. Eg. Hybids.
Use marketing to convince people they need to have an oil burning motor in their electric car.
I don't know anybody who needs to travel further than a 100% electric car can get them more than a few times a year. If they used a 100% electric car for 98% of their commuting they would be able to just hire a oil burner for those few long range trips a year.
Hey with all the cost savings, those few times a year that you do need a gas guzzler you could hire a luxury or sports car that would normally be outside your price range and really enjoy the trip.
And before everyone jumps in and says they or someone they know travels 1000 miles a week. I know there are people who need long range vehicles but how many people need them every day?
Massive four wheel drives, multi ton monsters driven <10km a day just dropping the kids at school and picking up the milk and paper?

A 100% electric car is as clean as the electricity it uses. The electricity grid gets cleaner and cleaner and so the 100% electric car gets cleaner and cleaner. So as it gets older it gets better.
Which oil burning car can say the same?

[ecomodded]

In my Province , B.C , Canada we use hydro electric dams for power , hydroelectric power may be as good as it gets ?

[Xist]

It looks like I will be driving to and from my parents house 165 miles each way every week for a while. Some electric cars can do that.

Some.

Meanwhile, I have one of the most fuel efficient gas-only cars ever made, I drive economically, I have been working on aeromods, and the only reason that I drive as much as I do is because my autistic brother is not as handy as I am.

To be honest, I would rather my parents moved back down to the Phoenix area, but I might end up staying here.

[oil pan 4]

Thats why electric cars are really coal powered cars.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Q: If the oil companies can DRILL 5-10 miles down into the earth for oil, *WHY* can't they do the same for geothermal sources?

Because in a classic boiler design you need 10 to 12 square feet of heat exchanger surface area per horsepower you wish to create with the turbine.
Down 10,000 feet its only like 150'f.
So you have low surface area and low differential temperature.
Unless you plan on hydraulically fracturing around a volcano.

[NachtRitter]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Thats why electric cars are really coal powered cars.

Based on the data provided here, that's too general a statement... Electric cars are really multi-fuel vehicles:

• coal powered
• natural gas powered
• hydroelectric powered
• solar powered
• wind powered
• etc

... depending on where you live and how the electricity used to charge the vehicle is generated... and without any modifications to the vehicle, it's possible to go immediately from coal powered to solar powered (or vice versa!)

[user removed]

Originally Posted by ecomodded

In my Province , B.C , Canada we use hydro electric dams for power , hydroelectric power may be as good as it gets ?

Hydro is solar, and the most efficient solar by far.

regards
Mech

[Xist]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Hydro is solar, and the most efficient solar by far.

My Energy in the Global Arena professor explained that, but I probably got it wrong on the final.

Getting questions wrong on the final seems to be what I do best.

I think the first question was which was a better source of energy, with solar and geothermal both being options.

They both have their place.

[user removed]

Geothermal heat near the surface is near areas with volcanic activity, like Iceland.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TauTona_Mine

regards
Mech