Why 'Green' Costs More
People who run out and buy an electric car, such as the heavily federally subsidized Chevy Volt, probably believe that they're doing their small part to help the environment. But are they getting (or considering) the whole picture?
Chances are that shiny new Volt is recharged by a coal-burning electrical plant. Coal has been used for decades to create electricity because it's cheap and reliable. Unfortunately, coal is allegedly -- as ecofascists constantly tell us -- "destroying the planet," so government policy is attempting to limit its use as much as possible via tough regulations. Faced with the prospect of expensive upgrades, utilities are responding by closing many of their coal-fired plants, thereby driving up the price of electricity. Experts predict that prices may jump up to 60 percent over the next three years as coal goes away and more expensive -- if any -- alternatives kick in. Barack Obama wasn't kidding when he said that "electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket" if he had his way. Indeed, that was his goal all along.
There's more bad news for greenies. Not only will recharging the Volt become more expensive, but a new British study claims that an electric car's "carbon footprint" is almost equal to that of a conventionally powered one. When the manufacture and eventual replacement of the battery are factored in, the study found that electric cars actually produce just one ton less carbon over their lifespan than do gasoline-powered models -- a difference of just 4 percent.
Finally, the Michigan-based Center for Automotive Research reports that Barack Obama's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandate that autos average 62 mpg by 2025 "could force vehicle prices up by nearly $10,000, reduce sales by 5.5 million vehicles annually, and eliminate more than 260,000 jobs."
So paying thousands more for an electric car -- even with government subsidy -- could make only a minimal impact on the environment, while costing hundreds of thousands of jobs. Yep, it sounds like yet another wise "investment" by those in charge.
http://patriotpost.us/edition/2011/06/17/digest/
People who run out and buy an electric car, such as the heavily federally subsidized Chevy Volt, probably believe that they're doing their small part to help the environment. But are they getting (or considering) the whole picture?
Chances are that shiny new Volt is recharged by a coal-burning electrical plant. Coal has been used for decades to create electricity because it's cheap and reliable. Unfortunately, coal is allegedly -- as ecofascists constantly tell us -- "destroying the planet," so government policy is attempting to limit its use as much as possible via tough regulations. Faced with the prospect of expensive upgrades, utilities are responding by closing many of their coal-fired plants, thereby driving up the price of electricity. Experts predict that prices may jump up to 60 percent over the next three years as coal goes away and more expensive -- if any -- alternatives kick in. Barack Obama wasn't kidding when he said that "electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket" if he had his way. Indeed, that was his goal all along.
There's more bad news for greenies. Not only will recharging the Volt become more expensive, but a new British study claims that an electric car's "carbon footprint" is almost equal to that of a conventionally powered one. When the manufacture and eventual replacement of the battery are factored in, the study found that electric cars actually produce just one ton less carbon over their lifespan than do gasoline-powered models -- a difference of just 4 percent.
Finally, the Michigan-based Center for Automotive Research reports that Barack Obama's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandate that autos average 62 mpg by 2025 "could force vehicle prices up by nearly $10,000, reduce sales by 5.5 million vehicles annually, and eliminate more than 260,000 jobs."
So paying thousands more for an electric car -- even with government subsidy -- could make only a minimal impact on the environment, while costing hundreds of thousands of jobs. Yep, it sounds like yet another wise "investment" by those in charge.
http://patriotpost.us/edition/2011/06/17/digest/
has givrn me 24-26 mpgs in 6th gear at 75mph