So what? Plug-in hybrids might not reduce global warming
A Prius prepped for plug-in conversionI've been a plug-in hybrid vehicle advocate, well, since I started advocating for regular hybrid vehicles. Still, I have issues with PHEVs and some PHEV fans. For example, I think buying one of today's hybrids is the quickest way to make tomorrow's plug-in hybrids a reality. So, if you need a new car today, don't buy a non-hybrid because you're "waiting for a PHEV".
Still, my main issue boils down to the infrastructure to which plug-ins must connect. Quite simply, the transference of power from big oil to big electricity doesn't excite me greatly. More important, too many utilities are using antiquated technology that could actually increase global warming emissions. All this leaves me with trust issues.
Finish: So What? Plug-in hybrids might not reduce global warming
Labels: global warming, Hybrid Vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:09 AM
7 Comments:
I am a consumer who would rather wait until the manufacturers offer us a plug. I am much less concerned about global warming as I am with giving our money to the mideast and to oil companies posting mind boggling profits.
In fact, I am not concerned whatsoever about transferring money to domestic power companies here in the states just as long as I can get rid of gasoline. Big oil, big profits and their incessant lobbying and influence upon our legislators must be somehow kept in check.
So while we agree on most things, I want plug ins ASAP and then we can look at renewable energy options. Renewable energy seems to be about as tough of a battle as getting off oil!
I agree NOT to wait. Detroit is notorious for vaporware and plugins mainly change the point at which the fossil fuel is burned (ie - in the US you're probably looking at coal generated electricity).
The great thing about hybrids is that they smartly conserve energy today. Regenerative braking is a concept that works no matter what is providing the energy to the drive-train. Why use the energy of your car's momentum to grind away brake-pads and give off heat? Regenerative braking converts momentum energy into electricity for future propulsion. THAT is the beauty of the system. At its core is the physics of conservation of energy.
jabroni-
I'm mainly referring to those that are buying new cars today, but not today's hybrid cars, claiming they won't buy a hybrid until its a plug-in hybrid.
If you don't buy another car until a plug-in, that's a different story, for example.
i just think if you're going to buy a new car, and you can afford a hybrid, and you think a plug-in hybrid is the greatest idea ever - then invest in that future today.
besides, as kp points out, today's hybrids are 'beautiful' technology.
additionally, america could put millions of the hybrids on the road before the first plug-in is even sold - which will provide a great after-sale market for plug-in conversions!
We've past Peak Oil, it is only going to cost more and more and more. Instead of taking a bite out of your pocketbook, it is going to be taking a bite out of your butt soon.
Oil dependence is destroying the US, economically by inflation to support a war over oil, a huge trade deficit due to imports, and more on the way. Politically, environmentally and socially it is destroying the US.
Hybrid vehicles do nothing to change any of the problems created by oil dependence. It is treading water in the river until you are swept over the falls.
Switching to ethanol is the only choice that makes sense. It is here, now, and well proven. It can be used with the current infrastructure with minimal modifications and cost.
I'd rather see everyone get a Flex Fuel vehicle and ramp up E-85 use, ASAP.
It is the only currently feasible plan that will reduce the need for oil in sufficient amounts to make a real impact on the damage it is doing.
Breaking The Chains
http://groups.msn.com/BreakingTheChains/_whatsnew.msnw
wetdog - Ethanol DOES BARELY tread water in the "oil waterfall" because our consumption of fuel is so high. AND it "flies in a motorboat" towards the global warming and over-population waterfalls. Turning food and forest into fuel to get to the mall is insane!
You got to be kidding me!!! Getting power from the grid is just as polluting as burning oil??? Where did you get that information? Chevron.com? You need to realize its a step in the right direction. There is no reason we need to be burning coal anymore. There are 3 good renewable resources that are now price competitive with coal. PV, wind power and Solar Thermal which is the best of them all. Fortunately for us Electricity companies are not going to be opposed to using these renewables as long as it is not more expensive for them. Sounds like the author of this article is a little close minded. Think maybe its possible to recharge your ev or phev with solar panels on your garage??????
kpdriscoll said...
wetdog - Ethanol DOES BARELY tread water in the "oil waterfall" because our consumption of fuel is so high. AND it "flies in a motorboat" towards the global warming and over-population waterfalls. Turning food and forest into fuel to get to the mall is insane!
Replacing 85% of our oil consumption with another fuel is hardly "barely treading water in the "oil waterfall"---and the 15% petroleum in E-85 can be replaced with Buterol, making an all alcohol mixture. At about 1/2 the current cost of petroleum gasoline.
Brazil has already done this. They provide 80% of their transportation energy needs with ethanol made from sugar cane grown on 2% of their agricultural land, with enough left over to become the largest ethanol exporter in the world. They went from oil importing country to oil exporting country. The went from bankruptcy, riots, and communist revolution 20 years ago to the 8th largest economy in the world today.
The energy in ethanol regardless of its source comes entirely from the sun, by way of photosynthesis by the plants it was made from. Ethanol is sunlight in a jar, solar energy in liquid form. The CO2 in ethanol was first taken out of the atmosphere by plants--when burned, net CO2 gain is 0.
Ethanol has nothing to do with overpopulation when used as a fuel.
Maybe it does if you drink it---but if you drink it and drive it would definitely combat overpopulation.
The final product of ethanol from corn is DDG, animal feed which has 12-14% protien vs. 2-4% protien in the feed corn stock it is made from. Ethanol is just a by product of high grade animal feed production.
Ethanol was produced commercially for fuel and solvents from logging and milling wood waste over 120 years ago in the 1890's to 1920 in the US and Germany. Spain currently has three plants producing 750 million liters/year of cellulosic ethanol, in a relatively dry mediterranean country less than the size of Oregon.
Ethanol fits our current infrastructure, is cheaper than oil, is renewable and sustainable, is a good choice to provide jobs and use our own resources, is a well known and well proven technology, is non greehhouse gas emitting, clean burning and extremely low pollution, and it smells good.
What is insane is NOT using ethanol---ASAP.
There is not reason in the world not to make hybrids that are flex fuel capable.
If you want to see what 100% ethanol can do as a fuel, watch the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day---Indy Circuit race cars are required to run on ethanol, and have done so for about 35 years---it is a better fuel than petroleum gasoline.
Post a Comment
<< Home