I am a big supporter of electric drive cars but I want to be sure the information being put out is accurate so as to not bring unwarranted negative attention.

Good points… we are in serious trouble, all right. More “stuff” – the asphalt for roads to drive on, also made with oil.

See: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/atv.shtml

Drive train, gas tank — only a matter of details… The real problem is that those of us living in the ‘civilized’ world will soon be facing severe fossil fuel shortages and the end of life as we have known it. Electric cars to solve the problem? Not a chance. The global economy is already imploding — and we haven’t even begun to accelerate down the far side of Peak Fossil Resources yet… so how the heck are the members of ‘civilization’ supposed to afford electric cars? Meanwhile 95% of the global rare earth mineral ores, necessary to build electric cars, is in China — and they have banned the export of such materials in the raw, they will only sell them as finished products… Simple, easy, non-functional answers only make sense to the uninformed. Without sufficient fossil fuels we will be encountering big problems; We grow, ship, store and cook most of our food with oil and natural gas — so clearly we can expect famines on an unprecedented scale, then massive epidemics. Most of the water used in the civilized world is pumped with energy derived from fossil fuels… most of our medicines… plastics… paints… think about it, most of the ‘stuff’ that comprises ‘civilization’ is made from and moved with, fossil fuels. Last but not least, using fossil fuels is causing Catastrophic Climate Changes… which unchecked will cause our EXTINCTION. If we don’t want to die, then we have to change.

Now let’s consider the rest:

Idling – that can be solved, some by traffic control, some by “instant on” controls.

Also there are variable displacement engines – shut off cylinders when not needed.

Regenerative braking – which I like with Hybrids

Drivetrain – maybe EV can be a bit better, if you place motors in hubs (but then you have nasty suspension issues – unsprung weight is bad)

Rolling resistance – tires – trade off of traction vs rolling resistance, AND proper inflation is major issue – moot

Air resistance applies to all vehicles – moot

Stereo, A/C etc also applies to all – moot

Lets now look at the energy to make the batteries, disposal, carrying excess weight of batteries when partially discharged.

Conclusion – inconclusive

[SK: That’s why I think distributed solar is key for charging EVs, no transmission line losses from your roof, DC to AC loses some, but again, any wasted solar energy is not heating up our habitat]

Additionally, you might want to consider citing actual solar efficiencies (instead of just saying that they’re not that efficient); it would definitely dull the sharp twinge of propaganda you have going here. Also consider re-wording your claim that wasted solar energy (sunshine) doesn’t cause climate change. After all, greenhouse gasses don’t cause a greenhouse effect if there’s no solar radiation for them to trap.

I’m all for EV’s and renewable energy sources. I just don’t like bad reporting.

We R developing a significant efficiency superior engine

Dan

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Jeff Wolfe, CEO, groSolar