Electric cars - like the Reva NXG - will increase carbon emissions
A report published today by the Environmental Transport Agency concludes electric cars will speed up global warming.
First you have to buy in to the ‘Man-Made Global Warming’ argument. Which as you know we don’t. But if you do, you may be rather surprised to find a report by the Environmental Transport Agency (ETA) released today concludes that the switch over to electric cars will actually speed up global warming. Which is pretty much what we’ve been saying for some time.
We’ve pointed out that the way electricity is currently generated means that electricity for cars has a higher carbon footprint than diesel. That’s what the report says. Electric cars are too expensive to build which is a big obstacle in their uptake. As we’ve also said.
The report also went on to confirm our assertion that the taxation of electricity for transport is essential (we didn’t say it was essential – we said it was inevitable). We’ve also banged on about our inability to create enough electricity for our needs, never mind the extra need for electric cars. And as things stand, that would have to be bought in and would probably end up being produced by coal or nuclear power stations.
Nice to be right. It’s not going to change the headlong dash to cut carbon emissions – despite the flimsy evidence that they need cutting – but at least there’s an official report acknowledging the facts.
You can read the press release on this – which is a précis of the conclusions. But we don’t think the full report is available online.
Cars UK says
Couldn’t agree more, Max. The problem is we should have done this a generation ago. And the idea that commercial utility companies can fund and run nuclear power stations is living in cuckoo land. The only way it could be done is with us – the taxpayers – underwriting and insuring it. But it is a sensible solution. Until domestic fuel cells become viable. Which they will.
Probably about the time the UK nuclear power stations come on stream!
Max - Autoquake.com says
The government identified 10 suitable sites for the next generation of nuclear power plants yesterday. Nuclear power is, according to Ed Miliband, essential to combat climate change and to ensure energy security for Britain in the decades ahead. A step in the right direction for pollution-free electric?