The burning of any fuel will produce CO2, but also possibly pollution in the form of particulates, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, although the extent of these depends on the nature of the particular fuel and the efficiency with which the fuel is burnt.
I was recently involved in a discussion about the effect of levels of acceleration an electric vehicle range. This was below one of the articles on CleanTechnica. I was arguing that heavy acceleration will reduce range, while another person was saying that it made no difference whatsoever.
It seems to me that levels 1 to 3 of autonomy have failure built into them. The autonomous system relies on the human driver to complete its functions, and the driver is relying on the autonomous system to complete the driver’s functions. In other words, neither the driver nor the autonomous system has full responsibility for control of the vehicle.
While it is easy to note down all that could and should be done, it is not happening, and governments, especially those with a Neoliberal ideology, just seem to be pursuing a “business-as-usual” fossil fuel-loving policy with a thin veneer of PR, otherwise known in more honest circles as lies and deceit.
We also know of many planets orbiting stars which are said to be “Goldilocks” planets, as they are, as Goldilocks would say, just right. But they are only just right as far as the position and size go, for liquid water, and surface gravity, as we have no idea, really, whether they could support life, or not.
If, like me, you charge up your vehicle in public places, I am sure you will be familiar with what I am about to describe. I do my public charging at motorway service areas here in the UK. These are always busy. The car park is always nearly full, and there is a constant stream of people moving towards and away from the main doors, which lead to and from the restaurants, shops, and other public facilities.
Many corporations, focused on the relentless pursuit of profits, make their money at the expense of the people, and the planet. The only proper purpose of any business is to serve the society in which it operates, and to contribute to the protection of the planet we all depend on for our existence. Ecotricity, founded by Dale Vince, is almost unique amongst UK energy companies in aiming to do just that. Although it makes money, that is only a means to achieve its main aim, environmental protection. Its main method of environmental protection is by supplying and developing renewable energy in the UK.
Someone asked me for precise figures in the difference, in range, between driving slower, driving faster, and driving behind a large vehicle to reduce air resistance. I had to confess that I couldn’t give him precise figures, as I had based my article just on my experience of driving an EV for a couple of years and noticing a definite difference in range in those three scenarios. I decided that, rather than leaving it open, I would perform some road trials to see exactly what the difference was.
Having owned an electric vehicle for just over 18 months now, I feel able to share my knowledge, which may be of help to those considering an electric vehicle for the first time, or those who have just started out on the road to electric vehicle driving.
