So
what? Plug-in hybrid vehicles might not reduce global
warming emissions
Tuesday, April 09, 2008
A
Prius prepped for plug-in conversion
I've been a plug-in hybrid vehicle advocate, well, since I
started advocating for regular hybrid
vehicles. Still, I have issues with PHEVs and some
PHEV fans. For example, I think buying one of today's
hybrids is the quickest way to make tomorrow's plug-in
hybrids a reality. So, if you need a new car today,
don't buy a non-hybrid because you're "waiting for a
PHEV".
Still, my main issue boils down to the infrastructure to
which plug-ins must connect. Quite simply, the
transference of power from big oil to big electricity
doesn't excite me greatly. More important, too many
utilities are using antiquated technology that could
actually increase global warming emissions. All this
leaves me with trust issues.
Case in point: Los Angeles and solar power
Every summer I experience, minimally, a rolling black out.
Not only does Southern California have a smog problem, we
have an electricity shortage in the summer. Yet, if I add
solar power to my house, my utility gives me a terrible
rate when I sell electricity back to the grid - even
though they desperately need my clean power. How does that
make sense in any context other than greed? Southern
California utilities should be providing the best rate of
return, PERIOD.
Is the same going to happen to PHEVs? Are utilities going
to suck the life out of my battery at their convenience -
including wear and tear - while providing only a pittance
in return?
Ultimately, PHEVs need to be the impetus for a better
grid, a smarter grid, a distributed grid - not just more
money for the grid-controlling utilities.
As for global warming, plug-in hybrid vehicles could save
America 100's of billions in foreign oil costs - and even
more in reduced security costs. If we're smart, that
savings should be able to easily fund much greener
electricity generation, especially clean and green
distributed energy, such as my solar roof.
PHEVs shouldn't just be a pork-infested political orgy
directed by lobbyists and their corporate cronies that
politicians love so dearly. PHEVs must be about change -
at ALL levels of our energy paradigm.
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