At 12:05 AM 2/2/97 +0000, Scott Gardner wrote:
> I'd like to add my two cents' worth on the new electric cars. While
>I realize they have their faults (limited performance and range being
>the two biggest), they would be ideal for a second or third car, to
>be used as a commuter vehicle. Even though they are not truly "zero
>emissions", it is much more efficient to produce the energy upstream
>at the power plant, than in thousands of individual internal
>combustion engines. Also, where many people are driving around with
>poorly-maintained, gross polluters, this would not be a problem with
>electric cars, because all of the emissions would take place at the power
plant,
>which would have stricter, more enforceable maintenance rules than any one
individual
>car.
> Someone has made the claim that electric cars will produce MORE
>pollution, at least in the lead department, than a car burning leaded
>fuel. I'd be curious how, since lead-acid batteries don't gas off
>lead, and lead recycling from lead-acid batteries is one of the
>oldest and most successful recycling programs in existence. Many of
>these cars don't even use lead-acid batteries at all.
> Lastly, don't forget that there is one case where an electric
>car IS zero-emissions-- Stopped in traffic. No internal combustion
>car can say this. I don't advocate the removal of gas-burning cars,
>but it's time to realize that an alternative is needed, and for the
>commuter, electric cars are the best we have so far.
>Scott Gardner
>gardner@lwcomm.com
>
>Scott
I pretty much agree. I still have some reservations, such as how long will
the batteries hold a charge, the what ifs of being stuck in traffice etc,
but all in all it is probably a good idea especially for short hops around
town doing errands, going to work (if you live close to work) etc. I do
bellieve our internal combustion engines tend to polute more at low speed
and on short trips so......
Ross Overcash, 74B, NAMGBR 2-1172, Ayer, MA.
http://www.tiac.com/users/jroverca
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