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Thursday, July 19, 2007

Cutting Greenhouse Gases with Plug-Ins

We knew they would save gas; now we know they're cleaner, too.

Adding extra batteries to hybrids, and a plug to charge them, is a good way to save gas, replacing it with electricity from the grid. Indeed, drivers could commute to work and back using almost no gasoline. Such "plug-in" hybrids have garnered support from those who hope to reduce consumption of foreign oil.

But it hasn't been completely clear that replacing gasoline with electricity produced largely from fossil fuels would help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. And some have feared that using more electricity would drive up levels of sulfates, ozone, particulates, and other pollutants in the air.

A study released today by the environmental group National Resources Defense Council and the Electric Power Research Institute helps clear up these issues, showing that

plug-ins, once they're on the market, will significantly cut greenhouse gases. They'll also decrease other pollutants, on average, across the United States.

Comments

  • Once they're on the market...
    I don't know of any major auto manufacturer that has any plans to include a plug-in hybrid in its portfolio.  Do you?
    Rate this comment: 12345

    MITBeta
    07/20/2007
    Posts:31
    Avg Rating:
    4/5
    • Re: Once they're on the market...
      Ford and GM are planning plug in hybrids for 2010.

      http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn12227
      Rate this comment: 12345

      sluby
      07/20/2007
      Posts:1
    • Re: Once they're on the market...
      Toyota will have a prototype on the Japanese roads very soon.
      See http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200707200126.html

      Willy De Backer
      http://3eintelligence.wordpress.com
      Rate this comment: 12345

      wdbacker
      07/23/2007
      Posts:1
  • Saving Gas
    All gaolene and direct injected diesel engines can save 20% plus fuel consumption by grooving the cylinder head. Hundreds of cars of all makes  have been modified with success. Details on patented invention of Mr Somender Singh is available at website www.somender-singh.com.
    Auto manufacturers should adopt this invention in their cars to save precious crude oil.
    Rate this comment: 12345

    ksviswanatha...
    07/23/2007
    Posts:6
    Avg Rating:
    3/5
  • cutting greenhouse gases with plug-in hybrids
    Only inasmuch the electric power doesn't derive from coal-fired plants might this help - and then only if losses in power transmission can be avoided. If the power comes from wind and solar cells, that is (will be) different. Breakthroughs are also needed in making high performance batteries from cheap, abundant materials.
    Rate this comment: 12345

    djs
    07/23/2007
    Posts:25
    Avg Rating:
    3/5
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