The problem is that we are relying on concentrated forms of energy - whether is it coal or gasoline - that both pollute, both cause environmental issues, and neither of which can ever be used sustainably. Cars will never be an ultimate solution to any energy problem. Electric cars scare me too, not just because they potentially pollute more than gas, but because if a significant portion of this country's cars are electric, the energy has to come from somewhere. Plus, we would need to manufacture the batteries to store all of that energy. Sure, using power plants at night is a good idea, but if we are building more power plants and batteries because of electric cars, than we are not helping the situation at all.
Innovations in energy efficiency are much more important than the source. Want to save gas? Stop driving so much. Want to save coal? Stop wasting so much electricity. There are so many options out there, and Americans are so hesitant to try them unless it fits our comfortable way of life, while most of the world uses far less and suffers from the problems created here. I specifically chose to live in a place that I knew I would easily get along without owning a car. I get everywhere by bike except when I have been lazy and use the moped, which is about $2 of gas per month with my current usage. Even if the 300mpg plug-in-option car like the Atpera were available in NY, I would not buy it. I have absolutely no desire for more efficient cars, in fact I would love to see them disappear altogether. What I want to see is a community, a whole-system approach, and a way of life that does not require owning an expensive, energy wasting, polluting vehicle. Whether it is coal or gasoline, they are both heading nowhere near the goal of reducing our consumption. -Andy On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 1:33 PM, Tony Del Plato <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I was taken aback by the this thought and wondered if anyone on the TC > Sustainability list has a take on whether a Prius, if plugged in to > re-charge its battery, could indirectly pollute more than and is less > efficient than a gasoline fueled car. The article below sounds compelling > in > light of the coal industry trying to get into the transportation market. > Tony Del Plato > > http://www.betterworldclub.com/articles/DC_Case_Against_Electric_Car.htm > > -- > > "Justice is what love looks like in public." > ~ Dr. Cornel West > > > -- > > "Justice is what love looks like in public." > ~ Dr. Cornel West > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, > please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > [email protected] > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > -- Andy Goodell www.IthacaCarshare.org 607-277-3210 _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
