One of the biggest myths about EVs is busted in new study

[DrQ]

Heard an interesting conversation on the radio. One that raises questions about this "study". Why was this aspect was not in the study? The corn growers associsation claim is that the corn they plant removes carbon from the air (know to be true), they now produce more corn per acre with the same input, and the ethanol produced from corn used as a fuel reduces emmissions, and that this gives them a better/comparable carbon foot print than electric vehicles.

A few things:

• I don't think the entire process of producing ethanol is carbon neutral

Although biofuels are in theory carbon neutral, this does not take into account the carbon dioxide emissions associated with growing, harvesting and transporting the crops, or producing the ethanol from them. Therefore, overall, more carbon dioxide is emitted than is absorbed, which means that it contributes to global warming.

• Ethanol has fewer BTUs than gasoline when burned
• Ethanol makes up only 10% of the fuel mixture (Corn growers Assn is pushing for 15%, but car manufacturers are pushing back saying it will void your warranty)
• The growing of corn for ethanol has contributed to a huge "dead" zone in the Gulf of Mexico

There's a 'dead zone' in the Gulf of Mexico this summer that's bigger than Connecticut

A region of oxygen-depleted water off the Louisiana and Texas coasts that's harmful to sea life is larger than average this summer.

www.usatoday.com

 

[rapmarks]

I drive a 2001 dodge caravan In Wisconsin
my new car is in Florida, a 2011 with about sixty thousand miles

 

[AJCts411]

A few things:

• I don't think the entire process of producing ethanol is carbon neutral

• Ethanol has fewer BTUs than gasoline when burned
• Ethanol makes up only 10% of the fuel mixture (Corn growers Assn is pushing for 15%, but car manufacturers are pushing back saying it will void your warranty)
• The growing of corn for ethanol has contributed to a huge "dead" zone in the Gulf of Mexico

There's a 'dead zone' in the Gulf of Mexico this summer that's bigger than Connecticut

A region of oxygen-depleted water off the Louisiana and Texas coasts that's harmful to sea life is larger than average this summer.

www.usatoday.com

Carbon neutral spoken about is considering the carbon removed form the atmosphere by the corn, and other factors. I leave that to the true unbiased experts to discuss. No idea how growing corn which removes more carbon than imputed, in say Michigan killed the Gulf of Mexico. I have a car rated for E85 which incudes the 15% ethenaol.

 

[VegasBella]

What'cha got? I have a Chevy Bolt EV and am looking at a Hybrid to replace our ICE.

We have a Tesla Model S that we bought used a few years ago. We got lucky enough to get grandfathered into free supercharging for life so our roadtrips are free.

 

[pedro47]

How many EV charging stations will be needed to built across the United States in the next 10 to 20 years just along the intersate highway systems?

 

[VacayKat]

Did you see the part about keeping the car on the road for 18 years? Not very likely in the US or other large economies.

Well..... we have a car from 2003, so I guess there goes that theory, lol. I will say for our EV they will be replaced whenever the battery needs to be replaced, but since it should last between 300,000 and 500,000 miles, that's probably 16-27 years based on current driving patterns plus an extra 6,000 miles per year as a buffer for any road trips or increase in commute.

 

[pedro47]

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer with only 179,000 miles on it. I am trying to keep it for 3 more years.