Environment, pollution and CO2

Comparative emissions

Everyone accepts that EVs produce no emissions at the point of use. The argument is over how the electricity is generated and what impact that generation has.

The table below summarises all types of emissions, comparing these for petrol, diesel and electric cars. For the EVs, two figures are given for the mix of electricity generaters: actual emissions for 1994 and an estimate for 2000.

1. The Electricity Association link is dated October 1996 at the top while the ending is marked April 2000. (When this link was checked in September 2001, the three figures were missing.)
2. Volatile organic compounds, the main precursor to ozone.

The figures show quite clearly that for most of the key pollutants, the power station emissions due to the energy used by an EV are lower than those from a petrol or diesel vehicle.

For an electric car, the next step is progress towards green electricity.

Links

• In your conventional engine car, do not exceed 60 mph! The Slower Speeds Initiative local lists much reduced fuel consumptions as just one of the many benefits. (See also "V1V2V3" talk.)
• The Environmental Transport Association, the environmental alternative to the AA, RAC or Green Flag rescue services.
• Greenpeace's description of the problems of cars and their analysis of an efficient alternative, the SmILE.

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