SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post - The myth of clean e-cars

Gargamel · 07-28-17, 04:05 AM

Yes, it's a well known fact that at one time the prius was the most ecologically devastating car on the market, as the effort to create the batteries was a large pollution generator in china.

But with non-renewable resources becoming more and more expensive, we have no choice but to switch to alternate methods, away from petroleum. Even the most conservative of estimates (by the oil companies none the less), say that petroleum extraction from the ground will be unsustainable within 100 years. Some estimates say as little as 20-30 years. The truth lies somewhere in between, and that falls within some of our lifetimes.

So obviously, we have to transition away from petroleum. Electric vehicles are the obvious choice right now. With the steady improvements in battery efficiency, along with improvements in solar cells, it won't be long before an electric car rivals a gas guzzler in terms of range.

There are a number of other methods too, fuel cells being one of them. This too is a developing field. Another is agro-fuels. Ethanol from plants is an easily producible fuel, and requires minor adjustments in an engine to run it.

I understand the reluctance of the petroleum companies to try to fight and suppress advancements in competing fields. It helps lines their pockets for a longer time. But eventually that will end, sooner rather than later.

I'd rather us (being the world) have systems and technologies already in place and working before that end comes.

The author of this article comes off more of a shill for oil companies, rather than somebody trying to help solve the problem. He only rallies against electric cars, saying how environmentally damaging they are. That is a well know fact, and he is just beating a dead horse. He offer's no helpful insights into alleviating the problems on hand, both with oil and electric. He makes vast assumptions for the populations that live in Germany (Nobody wants a windmill in their back yard? I do!) that leaves few, if any, alternate options. There's always resistance to the location of power lines, no matter what the source. I'm glad they lead with "Opinion" in the title, as is it clearly one man's thoughts on a subject he has not studied fully.

07-28-17, 04:05 AM	#2
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,273 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	Yes, it's a well known fact that at one time the prius was the most ecologically devastating car on the market, as the effort to create the batteries was a large pollution generator in china. But with non-renewable resources becoming more and more expensive, we have no choice but to switch to alternate methods, away from petroleum. Even the most conservative of estimates (by the oil companies none the less), say that petroleum extraction from the ground will be unsustainable within 100 years. Some estimates say as little as 20-30 years. The truth lies somewhere in between, and that falls within some of our lifetimes. So obviously, we have to transition away from petroleum. Electric vehicles are the obvious choice right now. With the steady improvements in battery efficiency, along with improvements in solar cells, it won't be long before an electric car rivals a gas guzzler in terms of range. There are a number of other methods too, fuel cells being one of them. This too is a developing field. Another is agro-fuels. Ethanol from plants is an easily producible fuel, and requires minor adjustments in an engine to run it. I understand the reluctance of the petroleum companies to try to fight and suppress advancements in competing fields. It helps lines their pockets for a longer time. But eventually that will end, sooner rather than later. I'd rather us (being the world) have systems and technologies already in place and working before that end comes. The author of this article comes off more of a shill for oil companies, rather than somebody trying to help solve the problem. He only rallies against electric cars, saying how environmentally damaging they are. That is a well know fact, and he is just beating a dead horse. He offer's no helpful insights into alleviating the problems on hand, both with oil and electric. He makes vast assumptions for the populations that live in Germany (Nobody wants a windmill in their back yard? I do!) that leaves few, if any, alternate options. There's always resistance to the location of power lines, no matter what the source. I'm glad they lead with "Opinion" in the title, as is it clearly one man's thoughts on a subject he has not studied fully. __________________ Luck is a residue of Design.