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Report: Electric Cars Have Twice the ‘Global Warming Potential’ of Traditional Vehicles

THE BLAZE -- TheBlaze has reported on the not so green side of electric cars before — those being charged with electricity from coal-fired power plants contribute more pollution than their gasoline-fueled counterparts. Now, a report of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology takes a look at the manufacturing of electric vehicles and found that’s not so great for the environment either.

“Although EVs are an important technological breakthrough with substantial potential environmental benefits, these cannot be harnessed everywhere and in every condition,” the study authors write. “Our results clearly indicate that it is counterproductive to promote EVs in areas where electricity is primarily produced from lignite, coal, or even heavy oil combustion.”

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Submitted Oct 06, 2012 By: HYEgasCA

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rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:22,438 Points:2,229,700 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Oct 8, 2012 7:18:40 PM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse SUVFan - "Not so fast. Where do you get enough electricity to power all those cars? From a process that using current methods and technology causes more pollution than the gas." From a process that, under some specific circumstance, such as using coal to generate electricity, causes more pollution than the gas. Fortunately, more and more utilities are converting to natural gas or other, less polluting, fuels.
SUVFan Champion Author Columbus Posts:13,915 Points:1,632,825 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Oct 8, 2012 11:11:26 AM Ignore SUVFan Report Abuse Martinman's point that this is a blog post is technically correct, but noting that some pieces were nuked over the weekend, leaving this one up was a good exercise in discretion. The piece makes a great point, one originally championed by Sir Issac Newton: "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." This law is not limited to physics, but applies to the marketplace. Gas pollutes the environment and, besides, there's a shortage of gas so how do you solve that? Use electricity. Not so fast. Where do you get enough electricity to power all those cars? From a process that using current methods and technology causes more pollution than the gas. [Edited by: SUVFan at 10/8/2012 12:15:46 PM EST]
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,488 Points:733,325 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Oct 8, 2012 11:09:23 AM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Where does the electricity come from. [Edited by: fuel2use at 10/8/2012 12:10:01 PM EST]
BEGTWO Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,942 Points:723,990 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Oct 8, 2012 9:28:59 AM Ignore BEGTWO Report Abuse WOW
Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:14,739 Points:2,093,830 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Oct 8, 2012 8:04:17 AM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse So much for "enforcing the rules" here...
GasPriceHelp4u Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,687 Points:568,800 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Oct 8, 2012 5:58:56 AM Ignore GasPriceHelp4u Report Abuse So why are we focusing on them???
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,963 Points:2,117,390 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Oct 8, 2012 5:52:02 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse There is ALWAYS a price to pay for energy....
rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:22,438 Points:2,229,700 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 11:15:30 PM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse PowerplantBill - "steam is stored in accumulators for increasing demand." And just how long can steam be stored before it turns back into liquid water? "Sadly the "clean" electric cars require dirty fuel as in coal or natural gas to generate electricity." Doesn't Arizona get some of its electricity from Hoover Dam? And natural gas is a lot cleaner than coal, or gasoline burned in individual vehicles.
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,896 Points:772,270 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 11:14:47 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse Start growing your own food.
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,896 Points:772,270 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 11:14:28 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse Let's just do away with cars, computers, phones, TV's, Radios and everything that uses power.
rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:22,438 Points:2,229,700 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 11:12:59 PM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse nsdp - "OK bwatchignu here is the explanation. You have to use COAL to generate the electric power. DUH!!!" No, you don't. You can use natural gas, or even non-polluting sources, such as hydro, solar, wind or geo-thermal. You can even use biofuels. There's nothing except laziness and stupidity that says you have to use coal to generate electricity. DUH!!!
nsdp Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,117 Points:47,315 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 10:02:10 PM Ignore nsdp Report Abuse OK bwatchignu here is the explanation. You have to use COAL to generate the electric power. DUH!!! Our results clearly indicate that it is counterproductive to promote EVs in areas where electricity is primarily produced from lignite, coal, or even heavy oil combustion.” Reading lessons begin at 0800 tomorrow. [Edited by: nsdp at 10/7/2012 11:04:00 PM EST]
ooohgas Sophomore Author Ohio Posts:215 Points:294,585 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 2:42:45 PM Ignore ooohgas Report Abuse Yep.
bwatchingu Champion Author Arkansas Posts:1,740 Points:600,645 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 10:36:35 AM Ignore bwatchingu Report Abuse I would like the greenies experts to explain this.I'm waiting.
drpepperTX Champion Author Texas Posts:8,945 Points:752,210 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 9:51:46 AM Ignore drpepperTX Report Abuse Hypocrisy unveiled.
NedW Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,614 Points:1,142,245 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 8:43:22 AM Ignore NedW Report Abuse "Report: Electric Cars Have Twice the ‘Global Warming Potential’ of Traditional Vehicles" ...and, one fourth the usefulness.
flagtown25 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,177 Points:492,405 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 7:56:21 AM Ignore flagtown25 Report Abuse Ok
danny999 Champion Author Florida Posts:8,723 Points:1,638,310 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 6:06:47 AM Ignore danny999 Report Abuse Another hidden story,OBUMMA DOESN'T WANT PUBLIC TO SEE.Another OBOMINATION FAILURE.
bababooey2 Champion Author Hartford Posts:6,347 Points:1,302,615 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 5:54:51 AM Ignore bababooey2 Report Abuse OK
leeac Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,596 Points:433,905 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 3:04:39 AM Ignore leeac Report Abuse Make green electricity from wind and solar, ect and then use it for EVs. This is an anti-EV article.
SkooterG Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,359 Points:328,585 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 2:58:56 AM Ignore SkooterG Report Abuse No surprise. Too many are short-sighted and simplistic when it comes to green solutions.
NOTSOGRN Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,056 Points:1,511,265 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 1:43:08 AM Ignore NOTSOGRN Report Abuse . . Aviator_Rob...The power plant may not shut down @ night but, units will cycled or taken off line as there has to be enough demand to keep them on line. The less of these start ups & shut downs the less stress on the units & costs to refire as nothing is produce till it can be put on line. Maintaining a decent load helps with the efficiency so night charging would be a plus for the plant & that's why rates can be better at times of low demand a plus for the user... . pastorpaulcg...is right electricity for our use just "doesn't just magically appear" but,is produced in spite of "obamanomics"... [Edited by: NOTSOGRN at 10/7/2012 2:44:19 AM EST]
melvindale Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,438 Points:351,230 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 12:20:45 AM Ignore melvindale Report Abuse Every electric vehicle should be sold with a solar electric system for the owner's home. Ditto plug in hybrids.
regasaz Champion Author Phoenix Posts:5,775 Points:1,280,880 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2012 12:20:44 AM Ignore regasaz Report Abuse EV's are a loser from any direction you want to view them from.
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:10,569 Points:1,771,920 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:57:22 PM Ignore clermont40miles Report Abuse Not surprised. EV's are not affordable and in many cases not practical. Keep trying.
dwh724 Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:1,531 Points:634,175 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:54:44 PM Ignore dwh724 Report Abuse Okay
PowerplantBill Rookie Author Arizona Posts:2 Points:265 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:49:51 PM Ignore PowerplantBill Report Abuse Sadly, the advent of EV has kept a few 'obsolete' powerplants running. Plants scheduled for shutdown or overhaul stayed on-line due to the increasing demand for summer electricity. This summer was scarey for plant operators. Way too many plants were operating near peak capacity. IF a couple of plants went off-grid, especially on the east coast, and guess what - BLACKOUT. Then where would the EV's be?
dcjauburn Champion Author Sacramento Posts:12,448 Points:2,239,590 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:36:43 PM Ignore dcjauburn Report Abuse Those people that buy electric vehicles would be wise to also install a green power source at home, whether it be solar or wind turbine.
monieet All-Star Author California Posts:964 Points:530,080 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:35:51 PM Ignore monieet Report Abuse Not too great!
pa79th Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,782 Points:1,216,850 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:35:30 PM Ignore pa79th Report Abuse No one saw this coming? Electric vehicles are a non-starter.
RAE344 Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:3,059 Points:660,545 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:34:28 PM Ignore RAE344 Report Abuse Another green myth gets busted. So just buy the EV for its good gas miliage not for its "green" features.
boatfloyd Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,718 Points:387,975 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:34:11 PM Ignore boatfloyd Report Abuse Sounds about right.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,485 Points:1,556,775 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:33:43 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse Interesting.
cheapertvs Champion Author Richmond Posts:10,285 Points:2,741,720 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:33:37 PM Ignore cheapertvs Report Abuse It is probably true.
PowerplantBill Rookie Author Arizona Posts:2 Points:265 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:32:59 PM Ignore PowerplantBill Report Abuse Comment about powerplants: We do not waste power. When usage goes down the steam turbines are throttled back and steam is stored in accumulators for increasing demand. Plugging an electric car into the grid will consume electricity. Plug enough cars in and powerplants will be back to daytime capacity. Sadly the "clean" electric cars require dirty fuel as in coal or natural gas to generate electricity.
LostInNY Champion Author New York Posts:1,716 Points:647,820 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:31:13 PM Ignore LostInNY Report Abuse Do you really think a person knows how the electricity they use was generated...
goldrose1 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:10,941 Points:1,925,580 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:30:46 PM Ignore goldrose1 Report Abuse Electricity production pollutes. Who knew?
10k Champion Author North Carolina Posts:21,253 Points:2,254,020 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:30:40 PM Ignore 10k Report Abuse isn't it wonderful that GB now has a nobama-type moderator for us ??..i just don't know how this website survived til march 2012..
langolera Champion Author Akron Posts:1,761 Points:665,980 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:29:16 PM Ignore langolera Report Abuse lol
Badjef Champion Author Florida Posts:4,045 Points:817,840 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:27:04 PM Ignore Badjef Report Abuse It isn't easy being green... That's because you are nutzs!
MikeLeo24 Sophomore Author Georgia Posts:114 Points:100,830 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:26:51 PM Ignore MikeLeo24 Report Abuse EV are a waste of money.
TFowler513 Champion Author Memphis Posts:3,824 Points:1,413,860 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:26:18 PM Ignore TFowler513 Report Abuse Depends or how you produce your power. Not everything has to come from coal power.
Yankee829 Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,206 Points:559,590 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:24:02 PM Ignore Yankee829 Report Abuse Ok
don10 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,527 Points:310,355 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:23:57 PM Ignore don10 Report Abuse ok
yakstar Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,420 Points:479,645 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:23:54 PM Ignore yakstar Report Abuse what kind of planet do I live on?
Zonk Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,481 Points:2,102,765 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:23:24 PM Ignore Zonk Report Abuse Nobody has all the correct solutions.
chuckwthompson Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,755 Points:577,185 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:21:26 PM Ignore chuckwthompson Report Abuse Really? Seriously? You are just now figuring this out? Glad you removed the wool from over your eyes and smelled the coffee.
defiancegasman Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,080 Points:1,323,260 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:21:20 PM Ignore defiancegasman Report Abuse Brought to you by your local neighborhood OIL co.
Rageagainsttm Champion Author Tampa Posts:8,303 Points:1,902,980 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:21:07 PM Ignore Rageagainsttm Report Abuse sure
rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:22,438 Points:2,229,700 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 11:20:42 PM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse Typical. Take the worst case scenario and treat it as the norm. Aren't we (slowly) shutting down coal-fired power plants in favor of NG?