Greenhouse gas emissions – Electric vs Gasoline cars.

Amidst all the scientific studies, academic research and political rhetoric, the debate continues on how much effect converting to electric cars – powered from our existing electrical grid – will have on the emissions of greenhouse gasses – CO2. With the proliferation of these studies, some tracing CO2 contributions all the way back to the first exhalation of breath from the dinosaurs, it can be hard for the average rocket scientist, let alone mere mortal, to come to a conclusion. Therefore, I have decided to shun the scientific calculator, eliminate the variables, and do a simple, empirical analysis of their direct impact.

First, the Coal burning Power Plants.

We are fortunate here in that someone, most likely math challenged, actually had the good sense to measure the CO2 output of power plants. It has been measured and confirmed many times since. Ends up the average Coal burning power plant emits 2.17 pounds of CO2 for every kilowatt-hour it produces. (EIA) Now, coal makes up only 48% of our electrical generation. Natural Gas produces 20% and it also emits CO2 (1.4 pounds per kWh). But, 30% comes from nuclear and renewable sources. So, taken together, our national electrical supply generates, on the high side, 1.51 pounds of CO2 per kWh.

Now for the Cars.

Basic Chemistry tells us that burning 1 gallon of gasoline emits 19.4 pounds of CO2. It also tells us, based on BTU content, there are 36 kWh of energy in that gallon of gas.

One place where all the research gets bogged down is trying to account for the varying efficiencies of our automotive contraptions. Automotive IC (Internal Combustion) engines are anywhere from 15 to 28% efficient in average driving. Well, for our worst case, empirical study, I am going to assume the most efficient – 28%. The most efficient means it is the most work we get for every globule of CO2 emitted. Indeed, the meaning is that 28% of the BTUs in that gallon of gas will get turned into useful, mechanical work. All the rest are wasted as heat. There are 124,000 BTU’s, give or take, in a gallon of gas, so at 28% efficiency 34,720 of them or 10.16 kWh, are actually used for something productive. Yet, we still created 19.4 pounds of CO2 burning that gasoline. A little math, and the emissions result for our car is 1.90 pounds of CO2 per kWh of work produced. Note that at the other end of the scale – at 15% efficiency - those numbers would be 5.4 kWh of useful work, and 3.59 pounds of CO2 per kWh.

Although this article is not about CO2 per mile (remember, simple), for the sake of reference, both the Chevy Volt, and my Chevy Malibu use approximately .240 kWh for each mile at a </i>steady<i> 60 Miles Per Hour. The Tesla Roadster claims to use .217. The Prius is about .220. Your dumptruck, I don't know. However, we do not need to factor in the relative mileage of different vehicles to determine the absolute CO2 emissions potential. Replacing a similar gasoline vehicle, with a similar electric vehicle will still result in similar energy needs.

The answer please!

The results show that burning gasoline in an ICE powered car creates anywhere from 21% to 58% more CO2 than getting the same amount of energy from our electric grid for the same size and shape car. And, that point is important.

The other way many of these studies tend to confuse the issue is trying to relate everything to mileage – like pounds per mile. That is truly putting oranges in an apple barrel. The matter of mileage is irrelevant when comparing similar size and shape vehicles where the only difference is the source of power. They will both use the same amount of energy, which here is expressed in Kilowatt-hours. Regardless of whether they are powered by electricity, gasoline, or soda pop. The difference lies in the source of the power.

Now granted, if you replace your dump truck with a compact car, you will be emitting less CO2, but that is true of either power source, because your small car uses less energy than a dump truck. The reverse would also be true, although good luck finding an electrically powered dump truck.

It should be clear by now that by replacing a gasoline powered ICE vehicle with an electric one, for the same amount of power at the wheels, we would reduce CO2 GHG emissions by anywhere from 21% to 58% - even with our existing electrical supply. And, in fact, those who have bothered to reduce some of the complex, often politically motivated and artistically spun, studies down to their basic conclusions have found exactly the same thing.

Comments

[Leisa Dreps]

Honestly, I don't know much of the science in this. I'm fairly happy that people are looking for alternatives to too lessen the Carbon emissions, like using electricity as an option for gasoline. I do find it weird that the plants used to produce electricity are being run using gasoline. But nevertheless, maybe in the near future this could be innovated.

[plumbing supplies]

Diesel is often thought of as smelly and noisy. Many think that the only place for diesel is in a tractor or a semi, there are many other vehicles that are diesel powered however. Each person must determine what their individual needs are. A person has to do their research before making a purchase of any kind, but especially a large purchase such as a vehicle.

[Driving School Redditch]

Thanks for sharing with us some related articles about greenhouse gas emissions. I learned a lot from this blog. Keep posting.

[Green Energy]

With fuel prices soaring and no end in sight, it only makes sense to look for alternatives.I go for electric cars, they are clean fueled vehicles which are good for the environment.

[Solar LED String Lights]

It's good work for the future. Keep going and I wish to success that all of works. It'll be a good solution for the fuel problem and environment friendly.

[Supra Tk Society]

Promises are often like the butterfly, which disappear after beautiful hover.

[driving school solihull]

Fuel cost comparison: the Tesla Roadster sport car's plug-to-wheel energy use is 280 W·h/mi. In Northern California, the local electric utility company PG&E says that "The E-9 rate is mandatory for those customers that are currently on a residential electric rate and who plan on refueling an EV on their premises.

[plumbing]

Electric cars have a lot of benefits to the environment which is a very nice thing. However, there is a problem with its energy range in which you constantly needs to charge after 6-8 hours. I think that they need to find a better solution to this.

[Garage Equipment]

EV cars will definitely help in reducing gas emissions in the environment. If we invest in too something, we better invest it in to not just beneficial for ourselves but also for the environment.

[Dried Fruits]

I know that this post is quit old but still makes a lot of sense with me and it was a great help. Thanks for sharing it with us. Kudos!

[Essay writing help]

this is a good discussion on energy saving i prefer solar energy to use

[Essay Writing Services]

vehicle using gas in place of diesel is more appreciating because it decreases the sound and smoke pollution

[CGS intake]

The designs of the cars of today are using the recent technology and the top of the line innovations to improve cars. We regret to see that some of them still have minor errors. But still, it is still on the beginning part in this portion of the car industry. We'll have to expect a lot of improvements to be made by manufacturers.

[Thom Milson]

I still don't think electric cars are the answer as coal is still a resource we are running out of. If we switch to electric, it's just delaying the inevitable. It's like having all of your favourite clothes needing to be washed, so you start wearing clothes you don't wear as often. Eventually they will get dirty too and you will have to wash them and it's all because your a lazy so and so. It's just going for a lesser of two evils rather than actually trying to solve the problem.

[Chevy HHR cold air intake]

This is a time where we really need to lessen those emissions. The catalytic converter among cars is widely used to prevent such emissions. Then now, hybrids are invented, up to electric cars with do not consume gas and emits harmful emissions to the atmosphere. Man was the fault of the environment so man is also the solution for it.

[CGS intake]

There are tons of environment-safe gadgets out there that lessen the emissions from cars. If there are tons of them out there, why do we still experience pollution from the environment?

[free electric energy]

It is so encouraging that many more individuals want independence from the costly regimes we have been under for too long.

[Dealership Penciling]

A lot of people have often asked "what is the most fuel efficient car I can buy?". Ok so even though we've just seen that the Diesel supermini is where you need to be looking if you are after the best fuel economy possible, not everyone wants a diesel because frankly - despite all the leaps and bounds that have been made with diesels over these past few years - they aren't sexy! And not everyone can afford a petrol hybrid like the Honda Insight or Toyota Prius either.

[smokeless electric cigarettes]

Electric cars are mechanically simple compared to the internal combustion engine. More so, electricity rates are much cheaper compared to gasoline.

[Dealership Posting]

Several laws now abide the safety of the environment to minimize this problem. You can't own a car if it does not pass an emission test or it does not meet certain requirements.

[Air Suspension Kits]

From my point of view, gasoline is one source and the batteries to power cars are another source. Hybrids and electrics were made because fuel is rather getting scarce these days and some of them are already made as reserves.

[Telefon Dinleme]

I really like this saying.. If we plant and eat our own crop, buy local, the world would be much cleaner.

[pletchernxh]

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[CGS Motorsports]

This study is being implemented now and soon all cars would be hybrid or electric cars. Well, almost...

[Driving Instructors Adelaide]

Electric cars don't pollute the atmosphere around us instead it helps lessen that plus it helps us save money on gas...