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To: Baynative; a fool in paradise
“People who bought an electric car, thinking they were saving the environment, might be doing more harm than they think. A new study says those plug-in vehicles can be making the air dirtier and worsening global warming depending on where you’re getting the electricity to charge that vehicle.”

That only applies in states with the absolute highest percentage of electricity generated from coal: Illinois, Ohio, North Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming. These states tend to not buy many electric cars anyway. Read this article for a more in-depth explanation:

New Study Doesn't Say ‘Electric Cars Aren't Green’ (Headlines To The Contrary)

44 posted on 01/10/2015 10:11:59 AM PST by LogicDesigner
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To: LogicDesigner
Even where electricity is generated by wind or solar it will most often require power from coal fired plants to transport the energy. Power doesn't just flow through the cables like water. It takes energy to push massive voltages.

That aside:
We were coming home in the drizzling rain a few nights ago and encountered a long line of cars backed up through a school zone. The speed limit is reduced to 20mph when children are present, but it was 5:30 PM.

When we finally got passed the school zone the traffic began to break apart as people found gaps in the opposing lane of traffic and passed the car blocking the flow. When we finally got to the front of the queue what we found to have been holding everyone to 19 MPH was a Nissan leaf creeping along with wipers barely going and lights looking dim. He was over in the bike lane as much he felt safe because he probably couldn't see well.

People blasted by laying on their horns and blinking their lights. I felt a bit sorry for the guy. But, I sure his frustration at the moment was supplanted by smug arrogance once he got to the co-op to sip a latte and tell his story of his encounter with Fox news haters while working to save the earth.

I grew up in the high sierras and we were taught to always keep our tank topped off so if we encountered trouble we would be able to run the car and keep warm with lights on for safety until help arrived. For that reason alone, it will be along time before I consider one of these latest fads in personal travel. But for the folks content to live in urban centers; GOD Bless their little hearts. At least they feel good when they lay their heads on their pillows.

Addendum: We have a neighbor with a Leaf. She was not happy to learn that all those charging stations at retail centers and city facilities require charge cards to operate. She thought driving her car would be absolutely free after purchase.

83 posted on 01/10/2015 12:02:08 PM PST by Baynative (Did you ever notice that atheists don't dare sue Muslims?)
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