The plant will burn the coal more cleanly than the car could.
"The plant will burn the coal more cleanly than the car could."
Let's guess a goal plant has 60% efficiency versus burning gasoline.
But then you have those pesky transmission line losses, battery charging losses, battery discharging losses, and only finally do you get to that efficient electric motor.
even if every step is 90% efficient, you still have .6 x .9 x .9 x .9 x .9 = 37%
Or about the same as an auto. And my figures are generous.