Does using electric cars help to stop global warming? why?

Answer 1

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Good question! But the answer may surprise some people here. It doesn't matter what power plants burn. Electric cars will help stop global warming, because they don't cause anywhere near the pollution other cars do, and I will show exactly why.
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First, only about half the electricity created comes from burning coal, but this is still our major pollution worry. Only 3% comes from oil.
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But much electricity is wasted in the evening, and at night, because most powerplants can't be turned off when demand goes down. Electric cars charge mostly at night. There is currently enough wasted electricity to charge millions of electric cars, before more plants will need to be built. No new pollution will be created by using electricity that otherwise goes to waste.
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But how about when electric cars catch on, and new plants have to be built? Hopefully these will be clean plants. But even if they are coal plants, new designs for coal generated electrical plants are 85% efficient, far more efficient than your sub-25% efficient gasoline engine. Greater efficiency means more miles on less fuel, and therefore less pollution per mile.
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But even if all the above were not true, electric cars would still produce much less pollution than gas cars, because of the greater efficiency of electric drive (electric motor, 95% efficient, versus gas engine, 25% efficient.) Delivering energy by wire to electric cars (95% efficient) is also much, much more efficient than trucking gas to thousands of service stations.
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The proof of all this is right in the fuel prices. Gasoline costs about 10 to 15 cents per mile. Electric cars drive around for only about a penny per mile. The difference comes from efficiency. Much greater efficiency = much less pollution.
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Betcha didn't realize that your gas car uses electricity. Yep, large amounts of electricity is used to refine gasoline. Gasoline makes pollution during refining, it makes pollution when it's being delivered to gas stations, and it makes pollution when you use it.
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Incidentally, hydrogen cars are also electric cars, with the hydrogen fuel cell serving as the battery. But they are less efficient than battery-powered cars, because of the extra electricity required to extract the hydrogen, and the wasted energy of transporting hydrogen to service stations.
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Answer 2

Potentially, yes. Since the electric car emits no CO2 (or any otheerpollution) it won't contribute to global warming.

However, for this technology to be effective, the source of the electricity used to charge the car's batteries also needs to be non-fossil fuel. That's doable--we can use solar, wind, and/or nuclear energy for producing the electricity in the first place.

And tat's coming. It won't happen overnight--but with the technology we now have (not to mention what will be available in the near future) the shift can be made gradually--over the next 2-3 decades. The really nice thing about this is that with new technology that's being developed, we can expect the cost of that energy to be LESS--we are rapidly reaching the point where fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) are the expensive options. So in the long run, consumers are going to benefit as well. Its really a win-win situation. Except maybe for Exxon. Awwwwwww! :)

Answer 3

If you live in an area where a substantial proportion of power is generated using renewables/nuclear then CO2 emissions may be less. Otherwise somewhat marginal although the electricity is much cheaper than gasoline. You are however supporting the development of a technology which may really come into its own when power generation becomes substantially cleaner and some of the problems with cost, weight, life and long recharging times of batteries are overcome.

Comment to apeman below: "much electricity is wasted at night" what utter crap - does he think they have giant radiators somewhere dissipating the power. They merely reduce the fuel in and hence the load on the turbines and generators, albeit the operation becomes less efficient. We are a long way from 85% power production from coal, that is a gleam in a researcher's eye.

Answer 4

NO

If its a 100% electric car, the batteries eventually run down and have to be recharged by "plugging it in" somewhere. And for the most part, electricity in this country is made by burning carbon, either in the form of natural gas, fuel oil, or coal. So most of the actual usage of a 100% electric car actually contributes to global warming.

And its even worse with those so called "hybrids". They can't be plugged in anywhere to recharge even to a solar or wind system.....all of the battery recharging is being done as a result of burning gasoline under the hood. The forward motion of the car during braking is coverted into recharging current.....but to get up speed to begin with it had to burn gasoline. Thus, every mile driven by a Prius contributes to the problem the owner thinks he or she is helping to solve!

Answer 5

Nothing is going to stop global warming, since it's a natural cycle, just like global cooling. You have to learn to research the truth and not blindly accept the televised hysteria.

Electric cars do help protect the environment. As they are not using gasoline to power the engine, the by-products of internal combustion engines are eliminated, which basically include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.

One must be careful, though: petroleum products are still used to manufacture electric cars, such as motor oil, the dashbord, seat belt clasps, etc. So even though you're not burning fossil fuels, you are still consuming them via your electric car.

Answer 6

electric powered propultion "properly to wheel" is plenty greater effectual thaan infernal combustion, in spite of if the generator makes use of fossil gasoline - evaluate: -unrefined gasoline could properly be utilised on the brink of source, no tankers - principal turbines, working at optimal temperature & load,continuously monitored for performance & emmissions, and by skill of the guidelines of thermodynamics the bigger the potential conversion the greater effectual. - very effectual present day distribution community to refuel at domicile or artwork, no pipes, tankers or filling stations - optimal torque from 0 rpm, less demanding transmission, consistently at optimal rpm - optimal efficeincy from chilly (maximum journeys are too short for ICE to heat up) - no intake while table sure - potential revovery while slowing down - electric powered automobiles & batteries have much less components and are thoroughly recyclable in assessment to the complicated metalurgy in ice & factors like catalyctic conveters additionally driving electric powered is plenty greater relaxing, tender, quiete, scent loose. Tesla, outfitted by skill of Lotus Norfolk uk 0-60 in 4 seconds 250 miles according to fee or the Phoenix SUT 90mph nano-LI batteries recharge in 10 minutes and interior the united kingdom £0 highway tax, £0 petrol tax, £0 congestion fee, even loose parking in cities like Westminster. electric powered vehicles do no longer stop worldwide warming, yet they reason much less injury than infernal combustion, plus furnish oportunities for potential protection, purifier, quieter city environment, and relaxing driving. what greater do people decide for? electric powered vehicles are a greater advantageous technical answer, greater advantageous environmental answer, greater advantageous driving force delight, greater low fee driving, greater good engine technologies

Answer 7

Robert, Randy and Cheryl are right. Wheresdean and Questionthesystem are both IDIOTS!
P.S. Austin energy in Texas is working on the EV2 a plug in hybrid

Answer 8

Not really, considering the fact that most electricity is made from burning coal or natural gas.

Answer 9

No.

Global warming is NATURAL. Mankind may contribute some to it, but global warming is still natural and we cannot stop it.

Answer 10

because at low speeds and while idling they use electricity instead of burning gasoline.