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The article misses a simple point -- if present trends continue and if we act wisely, there will be fewer fossil energy sources in the future, and more renewabl
by lutusp 13y ago
The article misses a simple point -- if present trends continue and if we act wisely, there will be fewer fossil energy sources in the future, and more renewable sources. And in the long term this change will be forced on us -- we will be required to move to renewable energy sources. When that happens, gas-fueled cars will stop running, and electric cars will become the norm.
The author is right -- at the moment, in most places, the Tesla is a fossil-fueled car. In principle it could be powered by renewable energy sources like wind, solar, hydroelectric and (eventually) fusion power. But take note -- in the long term that principle will become a fact.
Also, because electric cars powered by centrally generated electric power create less pollution per watt than gas-powered cars, while we're waiting for renewable energy to take over, it's still more environmentally sound to drive an electric car.
http://content.sierraclub.org/evguide/myths-vs-reality http://content.sierraclub.org/evguide/myths-vs-reality
Quote: "According to a range of studies doing a ‘well to wheels’ analysis, an electric car leads to significantly less carbon dioxide pollution from electricity than the CO2 pollution from the oil of a conventional car with an internal combustion engine. In some areas, like many on the West Coast that rely largely on wind or hydro power, the emissions are significantly lower for EVs. And that's today. As we retire more coal plants and bring cleaner sources of power online, the emissions from electric vehicle charging drop even further. Additionally, in some areas, night-time charging will increase the opportunity to take advantage of wind power -- another way to reduce emissions."
- michielvoo 13y agoIn an interview on Dutch TV this week Elon Musk talked about "super charger" stations that were being built in the US and soon in Europe, and that the plan was to use solar panels at the station's sites to generate the electricity needed to charge the Tesla cars. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMYmSuicTXE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMYmSuicTXE
- brian0918 13y agoYou mean the trend where fossil fuel resources have increased dramatically every decade? That trend?
- oojensen 13y agoRecoverable oil reserves in the US increased 15% this year. http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/blog/index.php/2013/08/frackers-generate-greatest-annual-increase-in-u-s-oil-reserves-ever/ http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/blog/index.php/2013/08/f... Let's use the best energy source (for transportation) that we have access to. I want to live fully today, rather than bang my head against time and try to live in the future before it is time.