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Reading the latest issue of Newsweek and this really makes sense:
"Instead of jumping through hoops to make an electric car that most people can't even afford, why not just develop an internal-combustion engine that gets really amazing gas mileage? That's the premise of Troy, Michigan based EcoMotors...."
"Our carbon footprint will be smaller than a full blown electric car running on electricity generated in the U.S., where about 50 percent of electricity is made by coal. In places like China, where 90 percent of the electricity comes from coal, we'll be far below the carbon footprint of an electric car," says EcoMotors CEO Don Runkle.."
Source: "Finding more in the tank" by Daniel Lyons in Newsweek, 1 Nov 10.
I have never heard people questioning whether electric cars are really environmentally friendlier, questioning how the electricity that would run the cars is produced. This is a pertinent question.
There is also the question of wastage as other forms of fuel are combusted to produce electricity which would in turn run the electric cars. How much is wasted in the conversion process? Would it not be better to build a more efficient internal combustion engine?
I am not an engineer but this idea makes a lot of sense to me. Any thoughts?
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2 comments:
Agree. A good measure is the carbon footprint of maintaining the car. Building the car is one, maintenance is the other.
I am still driven in a big big bus.. :)
My question is, if the carbon footprint is lower, but the cost of maintenance is higher, will u bite the bait?
Hi Mark,
That's a tough question. I would have to ask how much more is the cost of maintenance in such an instance. If it is 10% more, ok. If it is 50% more, no way.
It has to be a persuasive proposition in all aspects, not just environmentally. :)
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