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Massive carbon taxes would create a nice environmentally accurate way to account for externalities. If you need some taxes on lithium, cobalt, etc to account fo
by SECProto 7y ago
Massive carbon taxes would create a nice environmentally accurate way to account for externalities. If you need some taxes on lithium, cobalt, etc to account for same, I assure you $20/gallon gasoline would still ensure the electric car to come out on top. The difference is relatively minor externalities during manufacture of electric vehicles, and massive (difficult to conceive) externalities of use of fossil fuelled cars
- tracker1 7y agoIs building all the parts for a Tesla, including mining and shipping less environmental impact over 10 years than a gas car getting 35mpg at 10k miles per year considering the additional impact of battery replacements and proper disposal? How about against natural gas, even considering fracking vs lithium mining? Also, I never suggested using taxes for either.
- SECProto 7y agoThat's a difficult thing to calculate - taxes on the manufacture of different inputs makes that transparent to calculate. Shipping is almost inconsequential - I bought my $16000 Yaris and it was shipped from Japan to eastern Canada. If the carbon cost of the fuel to ship is included, manufacturers will self-select where to manufacture (or will charge appropriately to deliver) I fundamentally feel that disposal of lithium ion battery packs from cars should be viewed as a cheap source material, not a cost. Side note, if you drive 16000km/year... Maybe you don't need a Tesla? That's only 40-50km a day. Get something much cheaper with 100km range, and rent a car the half dozen times you need more. Edit: responding to your edits: carbon is carbon, does it matter if it comes from natural gas or a different source?
- tracker1 7y agoCarbon isn't the only factor damaging the environment.
- King-Aaron 7y agoI've seen the electric car lifecycle vs ICE car lifecycle trope get rolled out quite often, but neither parties (those for or against) can ever provide sufficient modelling on either side of the argument. I'd be interested to see a study done into it however, if ones been done. Mostly it seems to be based on perceptions rather than facts. It can be noted however that the components in an electric vehicle can be more readily recycled than parts in a traditional ICE vehicle.
- mehrdadn 7y ago> I've seen the electric car lifecycle vs ICE car lifecycle trope get rolled out quite often, but neither parties (those for or against) can ever provide sufficient modelling on either side of the argument. I'd be interested to see a study done into it however, if ones been done. Mostly it seems to be based on perceptions rather than facts. This is just a reason to continue research, not a reason to avoid what the vast majority agree is likely to be the better approach.
- King-Aaron 7y agoI completely agree.
- tracker1 7y agoI think in the end there's room for some diversity in approach. I just tend to resist the tropes that state X is absolutely better when it absolutely isn't backed by sufficient evidence. A lot of things that feel good aren't.
- tracker1 7y agoRegarding recycling... Batteries an electric motor are more recyclable than meeting down some mostly but metal slabs? The main difference is the engine and batteries. An ice engine is probably much easier to recycle than li batteries.