Posted by
misterfact on Monday, November 10, 2008 2:33:09 PM
Why NOT to buy a Chevy "Volt" or any other plug-in hybrid electric car.
1. Brownouts/blackouts
The car's batteries are charged CONTINUOUSLY, with a high wattage charger for 6 to 8 hours. Increasing use of plug-in cars, scooters, bicycles will certainly cause overloads to the power grid, especially in areas where a utility is experiencing peak demands for hot water heaters, lighting and air conditioners. (unlike charging car battery packs, air conditioners usually cycle "off" for longer periods of time than "on"-depending on room insulation)
One charge of electric car battery uses an avdg. of 8 KWH of electricity, which is about one-half the total electric use of the average home, per day. Alternative, clean power sources are sporadic. The sun doesn't shine at night. The wind is not always blowing. Alternative power equipment and storage is a huge investment for the power companies and the result can only be huge utility rate hikes for consumers.
Not only that- it will take time for clean energy sources to integrate the system, in any sizeable amount. Clean energy on the grid is certain to lag far behind sales and energy demands of these vehicles!
In addition to clean energy source costs, brownouts/blackouts mean utility upgrades (more or bigger fossil fuel run generators, transformers, power lines). Again, that means RATE INCREASES for you.
3. Pollution.
Worldwide power plant pollution increase due to transportation demands. These cars are being sold all over the world. What is coming out of the smokestacks of power plants in China, India, Mexico,.....!!! Whatever it is, it will reach your lungs!
DOWN THE ROAD:
Rate increases, health and environmental concerns will make the purchase of HOME solar (photovoltaic) and wind power the only options left to car owners.
You can be sure that the plug-in car companies are looking forward to big revenues from retrofitting their cars with REMOVABLE BATTERY PACKS, selling extra battery packs and their own home solar and wind charging systems. The extra packs can be charged at home while out driving the car. When returning home, the packs are switched between car and charging system. (with a wheeled "dolly" if necessary)
What YOU can do today:
DEMAND that electric car companies make a solar charging option available on their vehicles. This goes also for electric scooters and bicycles. They must also market solar panels and wind generators to fit their cars.
This is not rocket science. Consumers should not have to suffer retrofit costs, dirty air and blackouts. There is no reason to wait for the power companies to respond when clean charging systems are available to the public-TODAY. The transition to SOLAR must start NOW.
Mike
misterfact@yahoo.com