Electric Cars, Eco-Friendly? OK, I am a day late for Earth Day but this is a topic dear to my heart. Many people with best intentions start to talk about Hybrid cars or zero emission electric cars but in my view this is about the worst thing you can do for the planet. People who buy electric cars and hybrids end up feeling justified in driving more miles. You have to remember that its carbon footprint we are trying to minimize here. If you use a hybrid vehicle to justify driving more then its not doing the planet any good. If you drive you Prius 45 miles to work each way then you are much more of a “planet-trasher” than someone with a Hummer who only drives 2 miles to work. Electric Cars = Zero Emissions! Or does it? Zero Emissions so you can drive as much as you want, right? Wrong! That power doesn’t come from the electrical fairy, it comes from a dirty coal fired power plant somewhere. All the electric car does is move the burning of carbon fuel out of your backyard into someone elses. The Tesla model T might be an amazing piece of technology but its about as eco-friendly as a Hummer in my book. Not only are its energy needs high but the environmental damage done mining the raw materials necessary to make the expensive lithium batteries. Here is the whole spectrum in my world. If you dont care what the next generation inherits, choose options at the top. If you do care what the world is like in a few centuries, choose an option from the bottom of the list: - commute long distances in jet airliners - commute long distances in your Hummer - commute long distances in normal single occupancy auto - commute long distances in a single occupancy hybrid or electric - ride share in a normal auto - ride share in a hybrid or electric - commute on a motorcycle - commute using public transportaion - commute using a bicycle or walking - work at home, dont commute at all If you are at the top of the list, consider moving downward. Before spending $100,000 on that Tesla Model S because it is “good for the planet”, consider other options that are far cheaper and much better like riding your bike!!! OK, I am a day late with this Earth Day post. scoobysworkshop/2014/04/23/electric-cars-eco-friendly/
Posted on: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 23:04:38 +0000
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