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Difference between revisions of "Why Vehicles Need to use Electricity"

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(gas prices, renewable energy)
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'''Additional benefits include lower fuel costs, local energy sources and greater energy security.'''
 
'''Additional benefits include lower fuel costs, local energy sources and greater energy security.'''
 
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1. [[Peak oil]]. The world is at or near the time of peak oil production. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) technology is allowing us to extract a bit more oil and natural gas from the ground, but this method of extraction is expensive and risks polluting our ground water.  
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1. [[Peak oil|Peak oil and increasing gasoline prices]]. The world is nearing the time of peak oil production. As easily recovered oil reserves are depleted the future production of oil is turning to difficult, dirty and expensive fossil fuel sources such as deep ocean, hydraulic fracturing and tar sands.
  
 
2. [[Climate change]]. Burning gasoline and diesel as transportation fuels produces carbon dioxide CO2 pollution, a greenhouse gas that is causing global climate change.  Thus, even if we can squeeze a bit more oil from the ground it would be better for the health of the planet if we left the fossil fuel in the ground and fueled our economy from alternative energy sources.
 
2. [[Climate change]]. Burning gasoline and diesel as transportation fuels produces carbon dioxide CO2 pollution, a greenhouse gas that is causing global climate change.  Thus, even if we can squeeze a bit more oil from the ground it would be better for the health of the planet if we left the fossil fuel in the ground and fueled our economy from alternative energy sources.
  
3. [[Green power]]. At present most of our electricity is produced from burning coal which also releases CO2. We should transition to sustainable, renewable sources such as wind and solar for our electric power generation. This will allow our electric cars to be fueled from clean green power sources in the future. The [[Plug-In_Hybrids|plug-in hybrid electric vehicle]] (PHEV) is a dual fuel vehicle that can be powered mostly by electricity, but can also be powered with biofuels whenever needed. Biofuel takes CO2 from the air when it is grown and releases CO2 back to the air when it is burned, so biofuel does not increase the CO2 greenhouse gas problem. The PHEV can use the existing electric infrastructure and the existing gasoline stations to transition to a clean green future when we power our vehicles with 90% electricity and 10% biofuels.
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3. [[Renewable energy]]. At present most of our electricity is produced from burning coal which also releases CO2 pollution. We should transition to renewable, sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar for our electric power generation. This will allow our electric cars to be fueled from clean green power sources in the future.
  
 
4. [[Smart grid]]. A smart electrical grid enables instantaneous communication between electrical producers and electrical consumers to enhance the efficiency and stability of the system. Smart home appliances (e.g. refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washing machine) could be designed to turn off at critical moments when needed to help avert a potential power brownout or blackout.  
 
4. [[Smart grid]]. A smart electrical grid enables instantaneous communication between electrical producers and electrical consumers to enhance the efficiency and stability of the system. Smart home appliances (e.g. refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washing machine) could be designed to turn off at critical moments when needed to help avert a potential power brownout or blackout.  

Revision as of 20:52, 21 July 2013

  Mission * Why Vehicles Need to use Electricity > Peak oil > Climate change > Renewable energy > Smart grid > Vehicle-to-grid > Vehicle-to-home


Electric vehicles fueled from renewable energy sources can help to reduce climate change.

Additional benefits include lower fuel costs, local energy sources and greater energy security.

1. Peak oil and increasing gasoline prices. The world is nearing the time of peak oil production. As easily recovered oil reserves are depleted the future production of oil is turning to difficult, dirty and expensive fossil fuel sources such as deep ocean, hydraulic fracturing and tar sands.

2. Climate change. Burning gasoline and diesel as transportation fuels produces carbon dioxide CO2 pollution, a greenhouse gas that is causing global climate change. Thus, even if we can squeeze a bit more oil from the ground it would be better for the health of the planet if we left the fossil fuel in the ground and fueled our economy from alternative energy sources.

3. Renewable energy. At present most of our electricity is produced from burning coal which also releases CO2 pollution. We should transition to renewable, sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar for our electric power generation. This will allow our electric cars to be fueled from clean green power sources in the future.

4. Smart grid. A smart electrical grid enables instantaneous communication between electrical producers and electrical consumers to enhance the efficiency and stability of the system. Smart home appliances (e.g. refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washing machine) could be designed to turn off at critical moments when needed to help avert a potential power brownout or blackout.

5. Vehicle-to-grid. Electric vehicles that are plugged in for recharging can help to stabilize a smart electrical grid by occasionally feeding power back into the grid when needed to help prevent a brownout or blackout. Power stored in electric vehicle batteries can also be used to "level" the electric energy available when the sun is not shining on the solar cells and the wind is not blowing to turn the wind power turbines.

6. Vehicle-to-house. Wherever electricity prices are different at peak and non-peak times the electric vehicle battery can be charged using less expensive non-peak power and then used to reduce household consumption of expensive electricity at peak times. When the electric grid fails (e.g. due to natural disaster) then electric cars can be used temporarily to power our houses. This could also be used on a continuing basis to provide electricity in remote locations such as camping bases and military bases.