Plug-in
hybrid vehicles could increase air pollution
Updated: April 9, 2012
Plug-ins
lead to some serious grid questions
Editor's Note -- This article and several others regarding plug-ins and emissions are currently being udated.
I'm a huge fan of plug-in
hybrid vehicles, yet I'm equally critical of plug-ins
as well. Ultimately, even without plug-ins, the US is
facing a crisis when it comes to the US electric grid, and
converting a significant percent of the US fleet into
plug-in hybrids could result in many, many billions of
dollars of extra grid updates.
Then there is the question of where does grid electricity
come from?
All of this has led me to believe that many on the right
now advocate for plug-in hybrids as cover for nuclear
power. Now, I'm not fully against nuclear power, but I do
believe there should be a healthy debate about whether
nuclear power is the best option forward, but let's get
back to the grid.
According to two
recent studies, plug-in hybrid cars, feeding off
today's electric grid, such as the Chevy
Volt, could essentially become coal-burning vehicles
in many parts of the US, leading to potentially
significant increases of soot particles, mercury and acid
rain-causing sulfur dioxide.
Ultimately, just as with conventional hybrids
cars, such as the Toyota
Prius, plug-in hybrid vehicles are not THE solution to
America's energy problems.
A massive, future-focused energy policy is desperately
required here in the US, maybe the world. Unfortunately,
America doesn't even seem capable of having or
leading such a discussion.
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