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Electric vehicles are a flawed technology

  • Oct 27, 2020
  • 797 views
Source: 
Stockhouse Newswire

That rely on a unreliable power grid to operate..........the biggest flaw of eletricity is that it costs to much money to store it......electricity is very expensive.......electricity is only 100% efficient in heating and lighting loads......motor loads have a lower power factor which means those loads are less efficient......this means energy that could be used to heat or light homes ...

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Rafael Herzberg's picture
Rafael Herzberg on Oct 28, 2020

EVs have an effiicency of 80%. It means that for each kWh that was charged, 80% is converted into mechanical energy. Conventional gasoline or diesel vehicules have a 20% efficiency. So EVs are a lot better, and by far from an objective prospective. Now it is "only" about reducing the upfront cost of the EV. When you compare the "fuel" price for both, you will find out that the EV are a lot cheaperi n terms of USD/mile.
 

Bob Meinetz's picture
Bob Meinetz on Oct 28, 2020

"So EVs are a lot better, and by far from an objective prospective [perspective]."

Rafael, a reader might question whether an objective interpretation of "better" is possible. That EVs are more energy-efficient is undeniable. Yet it doesn't necessarily follow that EVs are cheaper, or that they generate fewer emissions. On a well-to-wheels basis, EVs charged by 100% coal-fired electricity are decidedly less emissions-efficient than a comparable, new internal-combustion vehicle.

So it's not only about reducing the upfront cost of EVs, it's about reducing the upfront emissions of EVs if the reader cares about climate change. Many probably won't think that's better, though, or even care.

Charles Botsford, PE's picture
Charles Botsford, PE on Oct 29, 2020

The technical argument in this post is incorrect. EV on-board chargers are essentially a power factor of one. Plus, the latest SAE J3072 standard would actually allow VAR injection to the grid from EVs, which would correct for low power factors from other sources. Thus, EVs would be highly beneficial as a grid resource. 

Gary Hilberg's picture
Gary Hilberg on Nov 3, 2020

This statement is incorrect in many area, lighting is 100% efficient - at what?  So the heat coming from my light bulbs is what?  The transmission and distribution losses are ?  Direct current electrical heating is close to 100% but heat pumps actually move heat and are more than 100% efficient. 

Electricity is very expensive, but I suspect less expensive than not having it?

We probably should not get into big discussions on the basis of what is a largely inaccurate starting statement.  

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