hypatia said:The one hazard I noticed while walking in a historic area, that ran many old electric cars, was that you could not hear them coming.
Sustainabilit said:Am trying to know*how electric cars could be more desirable to own and the public views on the future of electric cars?
russ_watters said:Define "clean". All fossil fuels will emit carbon dioxide, which today is considered a pollutant.
neu said:hydrogen can be implemented like natural gas (but with a lower power/volume ratio) and is clean. Hydrogen can be produced by electrolysis using electricity from renewables but this is only ~30% efficient, Or potentially harvested from photocatalytic metal oxide surfaces, but a long way off yet. And it's difficult to transport large volumes of H compared to natural gas.
W.r.t to transport, we can still have massive cuts in emmisions by changing the way we travel. As I mentioned, a more efficient and pleasent public transport system, if it were used by everyone, would reduce emissions per person hugely without changing our source of fuel.
There is no panecea, e.g. electric cars, we cannot go on living the way we do, e.g. 1 person per car, we have to change, not necessarily for the worse, our entire way of life, particulaly in the developed world, in order to give ourselves any chance of stemming climate change
Fine. Insert the phrase "human-activity-induced global warming" if that works better for you.drankin said:You can't stop climate change. If all human activity stopped tomorrow the climate would still "change".
hypatia said:I keep telling my family not to eat so many beans.
russ_watters said:Define "clean". All fossil fuels will emit carbon dioxide, which today is considered a pollutant.
mgb_phys said:A modern small diesel engine does better end-end efficiency and lower CO2 than most electric cars, especially when 50% of your power is from coal.
Since all electricity is transported on the same wires, you can't just say 'this power is coming from renewables'. It just doesn't work that way. If you power something with electricity, it's energy comes from whatever the mix of energy sources is that provides the electricity. In our case, that's 50% coal.neu said:hydrogen can be implemented like natural gas (but with a lower power/volume ratio) and is clean. Hydrogen can be produced by electrolysis using electricity from renewables but this is only ~30% efficient, Or potentially harvested from photocatalytic metal oxide surfaces, but a long way off yet. And it's difficult to transport large volumes of H compared to natural gas.
mgb_phys said:A modern small diesel engine does better end-end efficiency and lower CO2 than most electric cars, especially when 50% of your power is from coal.
russ_watters said:Since all electricity is transported on the same wires, you can't just say 'this power is coming from renewables'. It just doesn't work that way. If you power something with electricity, it's energy comes from whatever the mix of energy sources is that provides the electricity. In our case, that's 50% coal.
Even if you build a dedicated solar plant that only powers an electrolysis plant, the net effect is the same: you could have plugged the solar plant into the grid and offset some coal based power instead.
Ivan Seeking said:Esp when the diesel is burning biodiesel derived from algae - approximately CO2 neutral.
There is also a good chance that biologically produced hydrogen is [will be] the solution to the H2 supply problem. A group at MIT is pursuing the algae-to-hydrogen option right now.
It could be - take waste material (sewage / corn stalks / bark chips/ chicken feathers) in a few transparent plastic covered tanks in the desert and it could be a good way of converting sunlight into energy.neu said:You mention algae, does this involve oceans filled with iron fillings or is it a sustainable and ecologically acceptable means of harvesting fuel?
Crops for fuel have nothing to do with global warming - they are all to do with subsidising farmers in a way that doesn't annoy the WTO.As opposed to the idea (i realize separate idea) of sticking a bigger price tag on biofuel crops than food crops,
DaveC426913 said:Fine. Insert the phrase "human-activity-induced global warming" if that works better for you.
neu said:Excuse me if I'm misconstruing your point, but when anyone mentions biofuels seriously w.r.t Climate change I want to scratch my eyes out.
You mention algae, does this involve oceans filled with iron fillings or is it a sustainable and ecologically acceptable means of harvesting fuel? As opposed to the idea (i realize separate idea) of sticking a bigger price tag on biofuel crops than food crops, whilst also requiring double the agricultural land space.
I agree, There is also the extremely unpleasant added consequence of a market that favours growing food for cars over food for people.mgb_phys said:Crops for fuel have nothing to do with global warming - they are all to do with subsidising farmers in a way that doesn't annoy the WTO.
Yes, electric cars produce zero emissions while driving, making them much more environmentally friendly than traditional cars that emit harmful pollutants into the air. However, it is important to note that the production of electricity used to charge electric cars can still have an environmental impact depending on the source of the electricity.
The upfront cost of purchasing an electric car is typically higher than a traditional gasoline car. However, the cost of ownership over time can be lower due to savings on fuel and maintenance. Electric cars also often qualify for tax incentives and rebates, making them a more affordable option in the long run.
The distance an electric car can travel on a single charge varies depending on the make and model. On average, most electric cars can travel between 100-250 miles on a single charge. However, advancements in technology are constantly improving the range of electric cars.
The infrastructure for electric cars, including charging stations, is constantly growing and expanding. Many cities and countries have implemented plans to increase the number of charging stations available to the public. However, the infrastructure may still be limited in some areas, making it important for electric car owners to plan their routes accordingly.
One potential drawback of owning an electric car is the limited range compared to traditional cars. This can make long-distance travel more challenging. Additionally, the production of batteries for electric cars can have environmental impacts and the disposal of old batteries can also be a concern. However, the environmental benefits and advancements in technology make electric cars a promising option for the future of transportation.