10-02-2013, 03:55 PM
Howdy,
I'm a California resident, EV driver and enthusiast, and have a background in energy/generation/technology (@ So Cal Edison).
The coal generation issues/studies have been thrown around a lot, and while it can be argued as true, it is misleading. Most of the studies focus on comparing the emissions from burning enough coal to generate 115,000 BTU (34 kWh) to its equivalent 1 US Gal of gasoline. In this scenario coal does create more emissions, but that's not how coal plants work. Almost every state mandates a "Clean Coal" standard, where impurities are removed before burning and carbon capture and storage reduces emissions to well below gasoline. In fact there's a company promoting a Zero Emission Boiler System that makes coal "cleaner" than natural gas (as far as gaseous emissions, there are still sulfur solids from the cleaning process, etc.).
I'll also make the point that most EV drivers are trying to be eco friendly, I have seen the data generated by the DOE's "EV Project" that show 70% of EV drivers (I don't remember if that number was US or just CA, but I imagine the later) get their energy from solar panels.
California does not charge EV owners an extra fee to offset taxes included the price of gasoline. I believe WA and AZ are the only states that do in some way.
I'm a California resident, EV driver and enthusiast, and have a background in energy/generation/technology (@ So Cal Edison).
The coal generation issues/studies have been thrown around a lot, and while it can be argued as true, it is misleading. Most of the studies focus on comparing the emissions from burning enough coal to generate 115,000 BTU (34 kWh) to its equivalent 1 US Gal of gasoline. In this scenario coal does create more emissions, but that's not how coal plants work. Almost every state mandates a "Clean Coal" standard, where impurities are removed before burning and carbon capture and storage reduces emissions to well below gasoline. In fact there's a company promoting a Zero Emission Boiler System that makes coal "cleaner" than natural gas (as far as gaseous emissions, there are still sulfur solids from the cleaning process, etc.).
I'll also make the point that most EV drivers are trying to be eco friendly, I have seen the data generated by the DOE's "EV Project" that show 70% of EV drivers (I don't remember if that number was US or just CA, but I imagine the later) get their energy from solar panels.
California does not charge EV owners an extra fee to offset taxes included the price of gasoline. I believe WA and AZ are the only states that do in some way.