Your opinion on electric vehicles

balok · 06-19-2009, 12:20 PM

Are electric cars a good thing for the planet?

GeoffC · 06-19-2009, 12:24 PM

depends upon your point of view, and also which article about them you read.

if
battery charge was quick
distance at least equivalent to a fossil fuel car
and re-charging points were available and (relatively) inexpensive
then I would jump in one ...

but .....

columbus · 06-19-2009, 12:35 PM

Not until there is a monumental breakthrough in battery technology and cost.

Though I would love to own a Tesla roadster

GeoffC · 06-19-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by columbus

Not until there is a monumental breakthrough in battery technology and cost.

Though I would love to own a Tesla roadster

Even Jeremy Clarkson liked that !!!!

GeoffC · 06-19-2009, 12:37 PM

This is a Poll !!!!!

GeoffC · 06-19-2009, 12:37 PM

Ga h ... I've chosen the smog option - but none of your 4 choices is really correct .....

GeoffC · 06-19-2009, 12:38 PM

greenhouse emissions can only be phased out by generating electricity from a truely non-polluting source - and we don't have that (yet)

columbus · 06-19-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC;

This is a Poll !!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC;

Ga h ... I've chosen the smog option - but none of your 4 choices is really correct .....

Think it needs more options, none of the 4 quite cover it

balok · 06-19-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by columbus

Think it needs more options, none of the 4 quite cover it

I'd gladly add more options if I knew how!

Sweetpea · 06-19-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

greenhouse emissions can only be phased out by generating electricity from a truely non-polluting source - and we don't have that (yet)

What is a truely non-polluting source?

Windpower is non-polluting, but those things need to be manufactured (which is polluting).

Solarpower, the same.

Waterpower, the same.

Is the initial (polluting) cost worth the non-polluting energy generating device?

I think electric cars will be the future, they will be less polluting and especially less smog producing than fosil fuel cars. The initial carbon footprint may be large, but the resulting footprint will be small.

Charging them could even become "free". Just make solar/wind powered fuel stations...

balok · 06-19-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

What is a truely non-polluting source?

Good point - all energy use implies some form of pollution. It's a question of how we can best use energy and how much pollution is acceptable. Electric cars are a step in the right direction, so long as they don't detract from other more important steps, like urban planning and public transit. Unfortunately, they're seen as a simple replacement for gas-powered cars, so we'll still have a wasteful and inefficient transportation system, even with electric cars.

columbus · 06-19-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balok;

I'd gladly add more options if I knew how!

Choose what you want & ask a moderator to make changes

vivaldirules · 06-19-2009, 08:40 PM

In Texas, you can sign up for an electricity provider who will buy an equivalent amount of power that you consume to put onto the grid from wind farms. If enough people do that, some coal-fired power plants might eventually be shut down as wind and solar farms are created to fill the contractual needs for electricity from sustainable sources. I've done that and look forward to eventually buying an electric car to eliminate burning gasoline, too.

Peverel · 06-20-2009, 02:50 AM

the issue that I still haven't found an answer for is the disposal of the spent batteries? How polluting will that be?

HarryT · 06-20-2009, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

greenhouse emissions can only be phased out by generating electricity from a truely non-polluting source - and we don't have that (yet)

Nuclear power does not generate "greenhouse gases".

View Poll Results: Are electric vehicles good for the environment?
Yes, they will cut down on greenhouse gas emissions	36	57.14%
Yes, they will cut down on smog	32	50.79%
No, during their life cycle, they actually polute more than traditional cars	12	19.05%
No, they lull people into thinking that cars can be environmentally friendly	15	23.81%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 63. You may not vote on this poll

06-19-2009, 12:20 PM	#1
balok Ugly alien Posts: 144 Karma: 225 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Québec, QC Device: tricorder	Your opinion on electric vehicles Are electric cars a good thing for the planet?

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06-19-2009, 12:24 PM	#2
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	depends upon your point of view, and also which article about them you read. if battery charge was quick distance at least equivalent to a fossil fuel car and re-charging points were available and (relatively) inexpensive then I would jump in one ... but .....

06-19-2009, 12:35 PM	#3
columbus Wizard Posts: 999 Karma: 5487540 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: In my own imagination. Device: Sony Prs 650, 505	Not until there is a monumental breakthrough in battery technology and cost. Though I would love to own a Tesla roadster

06-19-2009, 12:37 PM	#5
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	This is a Poll !!!!!

06-19-2009, 12:38 PM	#7
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	greenhouse emissions can only be phased out by generating electricity from a truely non-polluting source - and we don't have that (yet)

06-19-2009, 08:40 PM	#13
vivaldirules When's Doughnut Day? Posts: 10,059 Karma: 13675475 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, TX, US Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad	In Texas, you can sign up for an electricity provider who will buy an equivalent amount of power that you consume to put onto the grid from wind farms. If enough people do that, some coal-fired power plants might eventually be shut down as wind and solar farms are created to fill the contractual needs for electricity from sustainable sources. I've done that and look forward to eventually buying an electric car to eliminate burning gasoline, too.

06-20-2009, 02:50 AM	#14
Peverel Still Easily Confused Posts: 889 Karma: 505319 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampshire/Berkshire/Surrey - yes I am that big Device: Kindle	the issue that I still haven't found an answer for is the disposal of the spent batteries? How polluting will that be?

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