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If all the cars in the world were magically turned into electric versions overnight tonight, the increase in global electric power capacity required to power them all not only doesn't actually exist, but if it did and was generated using power sources in the same ratio as today, it would release a virtually equivalent amount of green house gases and cause equally as much pollution as the current situation of burning fossil fuels in internal combustion engines.
Actually no. For starters, electrical cars are about equal to ICEs only if 100% of the power generation is from coal (results vary a little from region to region). A non-ideal situation certainly. But even if we were to funnel everything previously used in cars to oil based power plants we'd see an improvements - simply because the efficiency gains that come from scale.

However, the above also makes two fatal assumptions:

1) That the ICE does not considerably increase the emissions-per-distance over its lifespan. There is a reason it is required by law in most countries to test the vehicles emissions whenever its on service. If this value climbs to high for its current age, driving it is illegal. With the average age of the vehicle fleet in countries, this amount is not trivial, whereas all research has always assumed a new ICE at peak efficiency (its easier to do). Needless to say, that's not particularly realistic.

2) That power plants do not improve their efficiency over time. In basically all countries, the limitations on emissions on power plants has increased as the years ago by. This efficiency improvement directly results in an efficiency improvement to electrical vehicles, both new and old.
In other words, while a 5 year old ICE will perform below the results of research, a 5 year old electrical should perform better.
 
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Actually no. For starters, electrical cars are about equal to ICEs only if 100% of the power generation is from coal (results vary a little from region to region). A non-ideal situation certainly. But even if we were to funnel everything previously used in cars to oil based power plants we'd see an improvements - simply because the efficiency gains that come from scale.

However, the above also makes two fatal assumptions:

1) That the ICE does not considerably increase the emissions-per-distance over its lifespan. There is a reason it is required by law in most countries to test the vehicles emissions whenever its on service. If this value climbs to high for its current age, driving it is illegal. With the average age of the vehicle fleet in countries, this amount is not trivial, whereas all research has always assumed a new ICE at peak efficiency (its easier to do). Needless to say, that's not particularly realistic.

2) That power plants do not improve their efficiency over time. In basically all countries, the limitations on emissions on power plants has increased as the years ago by. This efficiency improvement directly results in an efficiency improvement to electrical vehicles, both new and old.
In other words, while a 5 year old ICE will perform below the results of research, a 5 year old electrical should perform better.

Good points. Just as a counter, you also have to take into account that the batteries also become less efficient in EV's over time, decreasing the range capacity before a charge is needed.

In any case, I think we both can agree that "dirty" power pants need to be marginalised in order for a tipping point in EV's to become mainstream. That and a big jump in charging technology. Either super fast charging technology, or a profound building out of specialised infrastructure, like dedicated sections of wireless charging roads. The fact that an ICE can be refueled and back on the road on a full tank in less than 5 minutes gives the freedom of interstate and international travel.

Even Tesla's "supercharging" stations, while a good effort, are not widely enough available, and still represent a significant enough compromise, or inconvenience as to be a deal breaker.

EV's currently effectively have half the advertised range, because you have to be able to "get back to base" for an overnight charge.

Obviously for urban and metropolitan area use, that's not a big issue, but then a lot of people will feel they need to have a second vehicle for "proper" auto use, such as motorways, towing, etc.

For the EV to become a replacement, it needs to be able to fulfill all of the use cases of the ICE vehicle without significant compromises.

Tesla's upcoming model X would do that for me personally, but I don't know if I can justify the price, either.
 
Number one that is not a solution available without a huge revamping of the grid and related infrastructure, we're talking huge investment by govt and related utility entities.

Number two, the issue being discussed wasn't the lack of charging points/locations, but the solution to powering the charging points. A poster from Nevada believed that the entire world lives in single family homes in Nevada, where having a personal solar panel array is a viable solution. The truth is that the vast majority of the world's population and users of cars live in concentrated urban areas in apartment complexes of differing forms where that is not an option.

It's been tested in a number of places already. And WAY less than a Hydrogen infrastructure... also the added benefit that WE need the improvements anyway.

But if people are using electric rather than Petroleum - they can use that in the short term... and again the Efficiency well to wheel is much better with electric.

And well Nuclear is the best option medium term. The latest Generations are incredibly safe but everybody still thinks it's the 70s
 
It's been tested in a number of places already. And WAY less than a Hydrogen infrastructure... also the added benefit that WE need the improvements anyway.

But if people are using electric rather than Petroleum - they can use that in the short term... and again the Efficiency well to wheel is much better with electric.

And well Nuclear is the best option medium term. The latest Generations are incredibly safe but everybody still thinks it's the 70s

Problem with today's nuclear isn't really the safety aspect but the waste aspect. Essentially burying radioactive material deep in the ground isn't expecially Earth friendly, is it? The world's oceans hold untapped energy levels that if harnessed properly would by itself solve provide all the energy we would ever need. We're not there yet though.
 
I saw one of these vans yesterday in Phoenix Arizona. California plates and all. Mapping makes more sense to me. Pretty far away from Apple hq.

More specifically it was on McDowell and 91st ave heading eastbound.
 
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