There have been a couple of interesting articles recently about the greenhouse gas impact of all-electric vehicles -- one in Scientific American (subscription required) and another in EnergyDSM, a web site devoted to demand-side energy efficiency. Such vehicles aren't really zero-emission, of course: they just emit from the local power plant while they charge instead of emitting from their own tail pipes while they run. So where does the balance come to rest? Here's the short version:
According to a 2008 report referenced by EnergyDSM, in an area with an average mix of power from coal, natural gas, and renewables for this country, plug-in vehicles produce 40% less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. Go Volt! However, here's the rub: in an area mostly dependent on coal (such as West Virginia), plug-in vehicles actually result in more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional hybrids. Go Prius!
(Beyond the issue of energy efficiency for its own sake, there are other reasons to favor electric-power-train vehicles. See my earlier post on the subject.)
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