Tailpipe Truths

Posted in: Comment, New Publications, News and Updates

This was the title of a recent Economist piece on electric cars in the US – actually, on why the sales of all-electric cars or hybrids haven't taken off (despite high fuel costs), and on why what is claimed for such vehicles in terms of emissions is not quite what it's cracked up to be.  Sobering reading for anyone who looks forward to a carbon-free energy system.

Clearly, high battery costs (currently ~$600 / kWH) price these cars out of the reach of anyone but the relatively wealthy or the status-conscious who are happy to bankrupt themselves, but even when you do buy one of them, the article shows how it's now not possible to know where your electricity comes from, and just how clean 'n' green it is.

Useful reading for anyone trying to teach about energy / climate / transport / sustainability and their interconnections.

Posted in: Comment, New Publications, News and Updates

Respond

  • (we won't publish this)

Write a response