Miata Mailing List: December 1994, Message #147
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   From: David.Emory.Schumacher@att.com
Subject: Electric Cars
   Date: Tue, 6 Dec 1994 01:36:51 -0500

reb@xyzzy.com (Phydeaux's PC)
Subject: Re: h2 for you?

>  >Mazda is trying to convince the California Air Resources Board to
>  >admit the hydrogen rotary as a Zero Emission vehicle.  The issue is
>  >the tiny amounts of hydrocarbon output because of the engine
>  >lubricant.
>  
>  So I take it that the hydrocarbon output of the plants that generate
>  electricity to charge the electric cars don't count as part of the
>  emissions problem?  Sounds short sighted to me.
>                                                          reb

Electric cars are planned to use the under-utilized off-peak
capacity of cleaner coal/oil/nuclear plants to recharge batteries.
"Cleaner" is relative to 5 million gas-fueled vehicles in an urban
area.  Unfortunately, different urban areas in different climates and
elevations have unique air pollution problems, regardless of the source;
contrast L.A. with Denver.  Pollution abatement is not a simple
problem.

When we start having more electric cars than we have under-utilized
generating capacity, the economic equation tilts against these
vehicles, as more generating plants would be needed.

I make no statement with regards to the desirability of more
coal/oil/nuclear plants vs. more gas-powered vehicles.

Dave
'91 Red A
DESDA2T (If IL would let me)