Drive an Electric Vehicle and Never Buy Gas Again
(Page 6 of 9)
April/May 2006
By Bill Moore
Larger electric vehicles probably will be plug-in hybrids that have a gasoline, diesel or some not-yet-developed engine that combines the virtues of both electric motors and internal-combustion engines, and burns some form of renewable fuel. Hydrogen or methanol fuel-cell range extenders could follow in a decade or two.
RELATED CONTENT
Read about how UPS expects to save 176,000 gallons of fuel per year, thereby reducing their CO2 emi...
Communities Push for Zero Waste August September 2005 By Patrice R. Holderbach In March, the city c...
This annual guide will help you identify the most fuel-efficient vehicle for your needs. The best o...
Two new government projects to develop electric vehicles will advance the United States’ economic r...
Roads Less Traveled December/January 2000 There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but sometimes...
To paraphrase Mark Twain, the rumors of the electric car’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Instead, there appears to be a resurgence of interest in EVs as a feasible path to reduce our dependence on petroleum, with the added benefit of a cleaner environment. The era of fast, fun, clean, affordable and efficient electric cars is finally at hand.
Electric Vehicles and Pollution
When considering the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, many people wonder if the pollution from coal-fired electric power plants that provide the electricity used to run the vehicles is equal to or worse than that from gasoline-powered cars. But several studies have confirmed that electric transportation is much less polluting than conventional gas-powered vehicles.
A private analysis done in 1999 by Phil Karns — an engineer and EV1 lessee at the time — concluded that when powered by electricity from California’s comparatively clean power grid, an EV1 produced 97 percent less total pollution during its operation than the average gasoline vehicle in the state.
A more detailed study done for Health Canada, the nation’s heath-advocacy department, compared the well-to-wheel emissions of a Toyota RAV4 gasoline sport utility vehicle and its battery-powered counterpart. The study concluded that the electric RAV4, which relies primarily on electricity generated from coal, produces 55 percent to 59 percent less greenhouse gas emissions compared to the gas-powered RAV4. Furthermore, the electric RAV4 produces 80 percent to 92 percent less of other emissions (non-carbon dioxide), depending on the specific type of coal used.
Tokyo’s Seikei University performed a bottom-up analysis of the environmental impacts of a gas/electric hybrid vehicle compared to an entirely electric vehicle, including the energy used in the manufacture and operation of each. As expected, the hybrid produced less greenhouse gases than a gasoline model. But depending on the source of energy used to generate the electricity, the hybrid also beat the electric car. The exception was if the electricity came from hydropower (or other renewable energy sources, including the wind and sun), in which case the EV was the clear winner.
Make Your Own Electric Car
Anyone who has the time, talent and resources can convert a conventional automobile to electric drive. Go with a lightweight but sturdy “donor” vehicle without power steering or an automatic transmission. Among those cars suitable for conversion, the favorite choices are Porsches, Geos and Volkswagen Jettas and Rabbits. Ford Rangers and Chevy S10s are the most popular light-truck conversions. If you do most of the work yourself and already own the donor vehicle, you can convert one for about $6,000 to $8,000.
Page:
<< Previous 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 | 6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
Next >>
