An interesting discussion. I'm wondering about some of the reasoning, though. For example: > On top of all this extra power being used, we have targets to mee

An interesting discussion. I'm wondering about some of the reasoning, though. For example: > On top of all this extra power being used, we have targets to meet on reducing emissions. That means shutting down coal fired power plants, reducing our gas usage, and moving to cleaner sources such as wind, solar, wave, geothermal, and dare I say it, nuclear. How are we going to meet demand? Are we actually trying to reduce emissions here, or just meeting someone's target for shutting down coal-fired plants? It's my understanding that a typical coal-fired plant produces around 500 megawatts. That's 12 million kWh each day. You quote a figure of 8kWh to charge an electric car. If that 8kWh is needed every day, then your coal plant gives you the ability to keep 1.5 million cars charged. If that 8kWh is not needed every day, then you get even more cars for the deal. Now, shut down that coal-fired plant and replace 1.5 million (or more!) electric cars with fuel-burning cars. Have you reduced overall emissions? I'm not sure; but I think it is likely you haven't. > Maybe we should all go out and buy electric cars. We will experience brownouts, electricity prices will soar, and it will be difficult. But hopefully it will start some change. Or perhaps some of us should buy electric cars. As the number of such cars grows, electricity prices start rising. and then two things happen: (1) demand for electric cars drops, and (2) pressure from the public makes it likely that power-generation capacity increases. And then prices drop, and more people buy electric cars .... So I don't really see the need for a gloom-and-doom forecast. In any case, as I said, an interesting piece. Please do more of them.