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2 Responses to ““Green” cars? Maybe, with a good paint job.”

  1. Cory Says:

    If the electricity is coming from a zero emissions source such as nuclear, hydro-electric, or solar power, then the car can be a truly zero emissions vehicle. What about if it were coming from coal or oil? It is true that it would no longer be a “zero” emissions vehicle since there is pollution somewhere as a result, but it will not be causing nearly as much pollution. Coal, oil or any other type of power plant are much more efficient power generators than internal combustion engines. This is why everyone does not just have their own generators to power their house. It’s not efficient.

    Electric cars dramatically reduce the net pollution as a result of its use.


  2. surprisesaplenty Says:

    I’m not sure if ‘Cory’ is a comment spammer. I guess it is the late date – my original post went up over a year ago and his comment is so recent. Still, I do have to admit his point seems a good one.

    I think he has not thought all the steps through, however. A large power plant very likely is more efficient than an internal combustion engine, but electric cars do not run on long electrical cables from the outlets. The three efficiency losses I see are: at the generating station, at the battery and in the engine itself. At present, I think the battery represents the largest efficiency loss.

    I do accept that electrical cars would reduce the local pollution, but this merely hides the problem. Large cities work to dispose of their garbage far outside of their borders, out of sight, out of mind. Reducing pollution in total is a very good idea; reducing it in cities but increasing it elsewhere is actually a fairly good idea but not as good as the former.

    Cory, if you are a real person, I apologise for doubting you.

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