Electric cars only as green as electricity powering them

[Aurora]

New Energy Focus - 01/06/10

The Royal Academy of Engineering has published a report identifying that if the UK is to meet its renewable energy targets and ensure a greener power supply to electric cars, a range of new low-carbon energy sources will be needed.

These include wind farms, tidal barrages and new nuclear power stations, claims the ‘Electric Vehicles: charged with potential' report, published last week (May 25).

The study investigates the implications of large-scale adoption of electric cars in Britain and looks at the challenge of ensuring that the electricity supply system can cope with charging "ten of millions" of vehicles while still reducing carbon emissions from power generation.

Article continues ...

I think the penny's finally dropped.

[clv101]

My understanding is that electric cars - even when powered by regular coal power stations are lower CO2 than regular petrol cars.

[DominicJ]

My understanding is that electric cars - even when powered by regular coal power stations are lower CO2 than regular petrol cars.

Thats certainly Teslas position
The load balancing capacity of 15million batteries should more than make up the shortfall

[RenewableCandy]

My understanding is that electric cars - even when powered by regular coal power stations are lower CO2 than regular petrol cars.

I've heard that too. They're also better on the quality-of-life front, because they don't pollute crowded city roads where people might be walking, and they don't make that horrible growling noise.

[madibe]

and they don't make that horrible growling noise

therefore road deaths are at least only accompanied by screams and the sound of tearing flesh and cracking bones...

Seriously...cars are going to be fitted with artificial engine note generators...a whole new industry will spring up supplying your personal choice of high performance soundtrack.

The government will find another way to raise revenue by fining those motorists failing to use a noise generator - likewise fining those whose noise generator exeeds set limits. Noise genration will be part of the MOT and will carry a premium because of the extra investment garages will need to make.

Music, birdsong, the sound of rolling waves or bleating sheep will not be acceptable to the sonic wardens.

[emordnilap]

There are already EU regulations governing excessive noise from motors though I know from experience with the law 'enforcement' officers over here - and of course from the racket heard daily on roads - that they are never enforced. Twice I have been temporarily deafened in one ear by being too near to the, ermm, silencers of modified cars.

The NCT (National Car Test) has only tested exhausts for excessive noise since April 2010, though lads swap out their farting exhaust for the original before the test, then swap it back if the vehicle passes the test.

Some vehicles also make loud 'sneezing' noises on gear changes!

Some of these boy racers could easily car share: after all, they all listen to the same drum track.

[DaveB]

The whole thing of adding noise generators seems to me to be a run rerun of adding mercaptans to natural gas to make it smell and keepus safe.

Makes total sense but seems weird somehow.


As for "Some of these boy racers could easily car share: after all, they all listen to the same drum track."

Not going to happen i'm afraid there's no room in the back it's all taken up with huge sub-base woofers to ensure the ground shakes when they are at traffic lights


Dave

[emordnilap]

As for "Some of these boy racers could easily car share: after all, they all listen to the same drum track."

Not going to happen

You're sure? Gosh, and I thought it was such a sensible suggestion.

[RenewableCandy]

They daren't car-share because their friends will say they're gay

Yes they're that insecure.

[emordnilap]

They daren't car-share because their friends will say they're gay

Yes they're that insecure.

These young men certainly felt secure:

Eight men die in Donegal horror road crash

Darwin in action?