ELECTRIC cars could produce higher emissions over their lifetimes than petrol equivalents because of the energy consumed in making their batteries, a study has found.
An electric car owner would have to drive at least 129,000km before producing a net saving in CO2. Many electric cars will not travel that far in their lifetime because they typically have a range of less than 145km on a single charge and are unsuitable for long trips. Even those driven 160,000km would save only about a tonne of CO2 over their lifetimes.
The British study, which is the first analysis of the full lifetime emissions of electric cars covering manufacturing, driving and disposal, undermines the case for tackling climate change by the rapid introduction of electric cars.
We're just not there yet--a good reason to keep looking. Electricity from nuclear power plants addresses the first issue I brought up....
1 comment:
Thank you. I have been concerned about the generation issues of electric power as well as the down the road battery disposal issues. But the bottom line is that the darned things don't travel more than 100 miles without recharging.That might work in the city, but it won't work for traveling nor will it work for people who live outside urban areas.
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