Note from the Editor:
This article was written for the SDC by the wonderful member Alan G.

History:
Before I start to discuss the environmental impact or otherwise of EVs (Electric Vehicles) please note that the ‘electric car’ has been around since 1859 when the first rudimentary lead-acid battery was invented, but it was in the early 1990s that a number of manufacturers started to make use of lithium rechargeable batteries (although NiMh – Nickel-Metal-Hydride - batteries were initially used) and produced EVs for the general market. They were originally leased to the owners, but when interest waned in the early 2000s, General Motors actually destroyed all its EVs preventing owners from paying out the lease. Toyota, after protests, allowed owners to keep driving the last 328 Rav4 EVs and still offers support for them. All other manufacturers followed GMs lead and destroyed their products, as ridiculous as it sounds. It wasn’t until 2008 that the first highway-legal electric car using Lithium rechargeable batteries was released. This was the Tesla Roadster.

What about LPG?
LPG has been around since the late 1800s, but it wasn’t considered a viable alternative to petrol until the global oil crisis of 1973, and in 2006 the Australian Government introduced rebates for the installation of LPG in vehicles, because they were concerned about the environmental impacts of air pollution due to oil.


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[Bill MacL]

Will you save the planet? I don't understand how our population (27 million or 0.03 of one percent) of over 8 billion people, reducing our pollution is going to have even the slightest effect on the rest of the planet . Most of the Worlds population and pollution is from just below the Equator and up to the northern Arctic circle. Doesn't make sense, but then neither does greed.

 

[Stevo114]

Will you save the planet? I don't understand how our population (27 million or 0.03 of one percent) of over 8 billion people, reducing our pollution is going to have even the slightest effect on the rest of the planet . Most of the Worlds population and pollution is from just below the Equator and up to the northern Arctic circle. Doesn't make sense, but then neither does greed.

Exactly - there are nearly 3000 coal fired powered stations outside of Australia and we have six (and feel guilty about that!)

Until they can guarantee a similar range and charging time to running and filling a petrol car, this is all twaddle (as my English teacher used to say!)

 

[Ricci]

As I had to make a decision about a new car late last year I sat down and looked at it dispassionately. I have Solar on my roof with plenty of spare capacity (I'm currently $3000 odd in credit with my electricity provider) but with the feed in tariffs dropping to a disappointing 10c/kwh I felt it was better for me to use it than to give it to the grid.
As 95% of my journeys are within 50km of my home I didn't need a super sonic EV but I did opt for a Long Range just for the extra peace of mind. I had an EV fast charger installed in my garage, for convenience as much as anything, I could have stayed with the standard plug in an ordinary socket charger that all EV's come with.
Once a week I reverse into the garage and plug the car in. I choose a day when I have no trips out planned and it can sit there doing its own thing.
I understand the upfront costs can be quite high if you opt for your own charger ($1800 installed). but when you think that since 29th December I haven't had to stop at a petrol station saving me in excess of $200 so far this year it won't take too long to recoup.

I understand that everybody has a different setup and situation. An EV was a no brainer for me and I love it. I'm really happy with my decision, the fact that it only needs servicing every two years is another plus in its favour.

If anyone else is even remotely thinking that they might go down the EV route I would suggest you really look into it seriously. Take a test drive or three and talk to the salesmen seriously and in depth.

I realise that I'm a relatively new convert and that there's no one more fervent than a recent convert!

 

[Phantom55]

nothing australia does will effect the global situation..aust contributes .03 % if Australia was to sink under water tomorrow and no longer exist..the world would be better off by .03%..Yes we should be aware of the situation but we are fortunate (with our low population) we dont really need to address this problem til the rest of the world gets serious and then by all means get on board ..we are NOT leaders were too small...battery vehicles still need fossil fuels to charge them..they are not electric ,they are battery operated and they need as much fossil fuel to charge them...the ultimate fuel will be nuclear, and were scared of that....in time we WILL have it. In the mean time 'electric'vehicle owners are relieved of fuel tax, only those who cant afford to change will pick up the tab for them.....sounds fair enough by todays standards.

 

[Jennie]

nothing australia does will effect the global situation..aust contributes .03 % if Australia was to sink under water tomorrow and no longer exist..the world would be better off by .03%..Yes we should be aware of the situation but we are fortunate (with our low population) we dont really need to address this problem til the rest of the world gets serious and then by all means get on board ..we are NOT leaders were too small...battery vehicles still need fossil fuels to charge them..they are not electric ,they are battery operated and they need as much fossil fuel to charge them...the ultimate fuel will be nuclear, and were scared of that....in time we WILL have it. In the mean time 'electric'vehicle owners are relieved of fuel tax, only those who cant afford to change will pick up the tab for them.....sounds fair enough by todays standards.

What I would like to know is who is paying the power bill at all these charging stations. A lot I've seen are free.

 

[Baz1960]

Wow. Thanks Al, keep the articles coming, its good to read differing perspectives. Sorry, I still don't buy into they are green and better for the environment.. many scientists can be brought and sold for their opinions. I love the power of electric, though I won't be laying the cash out on one soon.

 

[Jay Jay]

How 'green' are EV's really?

They have to be charged using our existing power supply which in Australia is still heavily coal- based. Therefore not so 'green'.

How are the batteries manufactured? Through massive increases in mineral mining which has resultant major environmental impacts. Therefore not so 'green'.

Is there a social impact of this mining? Yes, particularly in countries which have ample rare earth mineral rssources combined with more than questionable work practices. Therefore, not so 'green'.

How are the spent batteries disposed of? Unsure, but have read that at this time there is little guarantee regarding safe recycling/disposal. Therefore, possibly, not so 'green'.

What impact does a spontaneous car battery fire have? This has been reported although not frequently. These cannot be extinguushed using normal methods. Are they then left to burn and emit possible harmful toxins? Would this impact home and traffic safety? Is this 'green'?

Where are many EVs manufactured? If they come from a country or countries that have the previously mentioned questionable work practices, combined with a hsavy reliance on coal-based power - then definitely not so 'green'.

We need to ask -

What are we trading off for our desire for an EV at this particular moment in time?

Is this trade-off worth it, if we are basking in our increasingly 'green' credentials at the expense of other aspects and areas of our world society?

There is so much more to consider and research before simply making a 'feel good' purchase in my opinion.

 

[Jest]

a gimmick to keep bowen happy. Not on my horizen.