Why do people keep insisting that electric cars are more green than other cars?

Question

They run on electricity, and that means they don't belch out loads of fumes into the atmosphere.

But that electricity has to be generated in a power station before it can be used in the car, and nine times out of ten, you can be sure that it was generated from fossil fuels.

So surely, electric cars are still responsible for polluting the planet.

Kennilope.
That's just about the dumbest, most poorly thought through answer I've ever read.

Answer 1

Agreed, electric cars which are charged from traditional grids are not as environmentally friendly as most people believe. That electricity is generated elsewhere, usually by burning, unless you live near a large hydro electric dam or near a lot of windmills. In the case of coal-fired electricity, you're just moving the pollution from all over the street to the source of the power.

The greenest transportation would be an electric vehicle which is charged from a renewable source. If your home were set up for solar-electric generation, you could use your home's electricity to charge your car's batteries. If your home is near a hydroelectric dam or a wind power generation area, then you're much greener than the rest of the coal fired electric areas.

Ultimately, a solar car which recharges itself while driving would be ideal.

Answer 2

Electric cars are part of a system. You also need to build nuclear, solar, and wind powered plants.

But you don't wait for any part to build the other.

In the meantime they're not as bad as you might think. This source is obviously somewhat biased. I don't fully trust their numbers, but the basic points they're making are correct.

http://www.electroauto.com/info/pollmyth.shtml

kennilope's answer isn't bad. The basic points are correct, even if the English isn't good. Many studies show that an electric car still gets over 50 mpg (equivalent) when powered by fossil fuels. Making and using electricity is more efficient than all but a few internal combustion engines.

Answer 3

The do contribute to pollution indirectly, as you state, by virtue of the electricity generated at the power plant. However, the power there is generated much more efficiently, so, per mile travelled, electric cars generate less pollution (this does not take into consideration electricity produced by 'green' sources, such as wind or hydroelectric power).

Answer 4

Probably because the people you're referring to are aware of the scientific studies which have shown that electric cars are more environmentally friendly than internal combustion engine cars.

Basically, because large power plants and electric engines are far more efficient than internal combustion engines, electric vehicles produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than regular cars even if the entire power grid were fueled by burning coal.

ICE = gasoline car (internal combustion engine)
HEV = hybrid gas-electric car (uses gasoline to recharge batteries)
EV = electric vehicle (plugs in to recharge batteries)

"EVs reduce CO2 by 11%-100% compared with ICEs and by 24%-54% compared with HEVs, and significantly reduce all other greenhouse gas emissions, using the U.S. grid mix. If all U.S. cars were EVs, we’d reduce global warming emissions. Using electricity strictly from coal, EVs still would reduce CO2 by 0%-59% compared with ICEs (one analysis found 0% change; six others found reductions of 17%-59%) and might produce 30%-49% more CO2 than HEVs (based on only two analyses). On the other hand, if electricity comes from solar or wind power, EVs eliminate all emissions. Using natural gas to make electricity, emissions fall in between those from coal and renewable power."

Answer 5

I'm not sure about this but I've heard of alternate power sources where they produce the electricity for the cars,

Answer 6

The polute less and pollution from power plants is more controllable than from 10,000 automobile engines and central power can come from various sources, including wind and nuclear that are not practical on the cars.

Answer 7

You are correct. People often don't consider the bigger picture. If these cars were used in conjunction with some type of ''personal solar charging station'' it would be a different matter.

Answer 8

Electric cars are more greener then other cars is because it doesnt produce much CO2.

there are many ways to make electricity not just by the old method way.

but in term when you running the car.. electric will be better for the eco then the gas engine....

gas need to be refine. so interm of gas vs electrical.
electrical are better.

think of this to produce electricity.. u only need to make it at the power plant...... then use it... when the using it, it produce no CO2.

while on the other hand... to make gas(fuel) for the car.... u need to refine....(produce CO2).. then when u run the car.. it produce more CO2....

so does that answer ur question...

Running Electrical car engine doesn't mean total zero CO2.. it just mean reduce the amount of it for the save of the ozone layer....

Answer 9

You are correct, unless the power used is from a source like Nuclear, Solar, Wind, etc.

Answer 10

They are, the electricity uses less polutants then the gasoline does. There is less filters needed to be installed, less oil changes, better for the enviornment in all ways!