ENVIRONMENT

Won't plugins replace the air pollution from automobiles with the air pollution from electric power plants?   

No. In almost every conceivable power generation mix plug-ins reduce greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Additionally, emissions would be concentrated in one location that is often away from critically-endangered air sheds. Also, it is less difficult to control emissions from a relatively few number of smokestacks rather than millions of vehicle tail pipes. And, efforts to clean up coal plants and other emissions will continue. In recent decades, many power plants have been modified to lower emissions while a number of older plants have been retired. This trend has resulted in a 25% decrease in emissions from U.S. power plants over the last 25 years. This trend is continuing so emissions will continue to get cleaner over time, meaning emissions generated from electric transportation will get cleaner over time. Furthermore, an increasing share of America's electricity is being produced by zero emission sources - wind and solar. There is a synergy between increased use of PHEVs and expanded use of wind energy. Widespread use of PHEVs in an electric system makes it easier for that system to accept more wind energy. This is because most PHEVs will be charging at night, when demand for electricity is at its lowest, and wind energy production tends to be at its highest in many parts of the country. Also, PHEV batteries can act as storage for wind energy produced at off-peak times. Source: PlugIn Partners www.pluginpartners.com

What were the conclusions of the Natural Resource Defense Council and Electric Power Research Institute joint study?

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Electric Power Research Institute released comprehensive assessment that finds that widespread use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the United States could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and potential for improved ambient air quality. The research measures the impact of increasing numbers of PHEVs between 2010 and 2050, including the nationwide environmental impact of potentially large fleets that would use electricity from the grid as their primary fuel source. Among study's key findings were: The widespread adoption of PHEVs can reduce GHG emissions from vehicles by more than 450 million metric tons annually in 2050 -- equivalent to removing 82.5 million passenger cars from the road There is an abundant supply of electricity for transportation; a 60 percent U.S. market share for PHEVs would use 7 percent to 8 percent of grid-supplied electricity in 2050 PHEVs can improve nationwide air quality and reduce petroleum consumption by 3 million to 4 million barrels per day in 2050 The analysis is the first to combine detailed models of the U.S. electric system and transportation sector with sophisticated atmospheric air quality models - accounting for the future evolution of both sectors in technological advances, electricity load growth and capacity expansion. and light vehicle fleet.

Will plugging in cars lead to building more power plants?

A study by the Department of Energy demonstrates that America's power grid could accommodate converting 84% of all vehicles into plug-in hybrids. Since plug-in hybrids could handle the average daily commute of most Americans, the study assumed owners would primarily fill up during non-peak hours - such as after 5. "The estimates didn't include hydro, renewables or nuclear plants. It also didn't include plants designed to meet peak demand because they don't operate continuously. We still found that across the country 84 percent of the additional electricity demand created by PHEVs could be met by idle generation capacity," stated PNNL energy researcher Rob Pratt. But the good news doesn't end there. The study also concluded that converting to electricity would also be much better for the environment, reducing global warming emissions and other forms of pollution. Source: www.hybridcarrevolution.com by SoulTek

Aren't all those batteries full of toxic chemicals and precious metals that will just end up in a landfill?

Not at all. Every car in the world has a lead-acid battery, the most toxic metal used for batteries. Even with its low value as scrap, the recycling rate for lead-acid batteries is about 98% in the U.S. EVs will use newer chemistries such as NiMH and LiIon. Both of these metals are inherently more valuable than lead, and since the batteries are quite large, the value of the spent battery packs will be such that the recycling rate will approach 100%. It is illegal to dispose of these batteries in a landfill and their value will ensure that is not their fate. Nickel, while mildly toxic, will be reclaimed during the recycling process. Lithium is even less toxic and more valuable than nickel.Plug-in electric vehicles," like all electric drive vehicles, use electricity to move vehicle's wheels. Some, or all, of that electricity comes from the grid -- from "plugging in." Source: Plug In America www.pluginamerica.org