RE: "Not So Environmentally-Friendly"

Lincoln CA

Description

>"While it’s true that electric vehicles have zero emissions, did you ever think about what it takes to make just one electric vehicle? Apparently, the process of making a big chunk of Lithium-Ion batteries as well as their disposal is polluting since they aren’t recyclable." The carbon footprint of battery production depends highly on where the batteries are produced and the source of energy used to produce them (https://changeit.app/blog/2021-03-26-environmental-impact-of-lithium-batteries/). Not true that they are not recycled. Tesla recycles their batteries (https://www.tesla.com/support/sustainability-recycling) Internal combustion engines also require significant energy to produce and repair (EVs generally require less repair). >"Also, electric vehicles demand more electricity. That comes from thermoelectric or nuclear power plants, which are extremely dangerous because they’re choking the Earth." In California, about 1/3 of the electricity is from renewables (hydro, solar, wind, geothermal, biomass etc.) and approximately 10% is from nuclear (in Texas about 30% renewables and nuclear). (https://www.energy.ca.gov/data-reports/energy-almanac/california-electricity-data/2020-total-system-electric-generation) Barring mismanagement and/or accidents, nuclear does not "choke" the earth provided that the waste is disposed of properly (how and where to dispose of it has been an issue studied since the 1980's). Electric cars shift and concentrate carbon emissions to the source of energy production where, for the dirty sources, carbon capture can be implemented. In contrast, internal combustion engines (ICE) disperse emissions widely, leaving no reasonable way for capture. You have also ignored the substantial energy expended to extract refine and transport oil and gas for ICEs. >"California would have to double its current electrical output to meet the rising demand for electric power and that will only raise the level of global pollution. This is actually far beyond what internal combustion engines are doing now." You appear to have ignored the other part of the equation: the reduction in ICEs. In fact, the USEPA indicates that emissions from EVs are lower, even when accounting for polluting forms of energy production. And of course they are much lower where renewables are used. (https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/electric-vehicle-myths#Myth1) You (and the USEPA) have also left out the enormous amount of pollution generated and energy used by the oil industry to get your gas to a gas station and into your car. Tax payers have paid an enormous price to clean up the pollution from big oil. >"If you own a home, you will need to install a charger. The lowest cost of one is $568.00, plus the cost of electricity." That is false. I have an electric car and with the exception of one long trip where I charged at a charging station, I have been using the 110 volt charging plug included with the car and getting by fine. I have not installed a charger. I haven't been to a charging station since last July. In contrast, my relative with an EV never plugs in at home and only charges at charging stations (like you only fill up at gas stations and not at home). Moreover, the cost of electricity is less than gas for most cars. Costs are comparable to driving a prius if charging during peak hours, and less for off peak charging. >"The average price of an electric vehicle is about $55,000.00." But many are cheaper and have large state and federal tax credits totaling more than $10,000. But yes - some EVs are too expensive. When the Tesla M3 was released you could have bought one for $25K (after tax incentives) and had free charging for life. >"Look at 4/5 hours charging time, for about the same drive time and what have you gained?" Charging an EV at a commercial fast charger can take about 15-20 minutes for 4/5 hours drive time. And frankly, after 4 hours, I need a 15 min break. And when charging at home, who cares? Plug your car in overnight, charging off-peak and forget about it. >"Yes, we do have to ween ourselves from fossil fuels, but what's the cost in the meantime?" The cost to consumers can be more or less with an EV, depending on which cars you compare. The emissions in general are less with EVs than ICEs. And EVs help to ween us from domestic and foreign oil. Are they perfect - No. But they generally reduce carbon emissions over their ICE comparable ICE options. Not to mention, they are very fun rides.