XPost: can.politics, ont.politics, tor.general
XPost: bc.politics
From: ar231@FreeNet.Carleton.CA
> "penny" wrote in message
>
>> Who killed the electric car -- a crime of mammoth proportions with
>> consequences for our environment.
>>
>> Electric cars produce zero emissions and therefore don't contribute to
>> the global warming disaster. They were a key invention in dealing
>> with global warming. Yet they have disappeared from the market
>> place.
"pcourterelle" (someone@ms.com) writes:
> ABarlow and Chom have patiently explained why the electric car is neither an
> environmentally friendly option for reducing green-house gases as you claim
(K): You're kidding. right? Usenet posters have become the definitive
experts on the electric car and its viability? You must be a mighty
confused little man if you're taking your direction from posters rather than
the experts.
________________________
22 September 2006
California targets motor pollution
A legal challenge brought by the State of California against several major
car manufacturers over climate change could become a landmark case against
corporate polluters, say green groups. The case has been brought by state
authorities on behalf of the People of California against General Motors,
Toyota, Ford, Honda, Chrysler and Nissan.
The case is seeking monetary compensation for climate change damage caused
by emissions. Attorney General Bill Lockyer, filing the lawsuit, claims
that the uncurbed emissions from the so-called Big Six car manufacturers
have contributed significantly to Californias environmental health,
costing the state millions in existing and future responses to the problem.
Global warming is causing significant harm to Californias environment,
economy, agriculture and public health. The impacts are already costing
millions of dollars and the price tag is increasing, said Lockyer. Vehicle
emissions are the single most rapidly growing source of the carbon
emissions contributing to global warming, yet the federal government and
automakers have refused to act. It is time to hold these companies
responsible for their contribution to this crisis.
Environmental campaign groups warmly welcomed the development, claiming
that it could represent a watershed case against polluting companies.
______________________________
Electric cars are one of the solutions to the problems of petrol-fuelled
cars. Although they are only at a relatively embryonic stage in terms of
market penetration, electric cars represent the most environmentally
friendly vehicle fuel, as they have absolutely no emissions.
There are currently two types of electric car (and van) available; battery
cell and hybrid. Battery cell cars are powered by simply plugging into any
electrical mains outlet. This only costs 1p per mile, which obviously
compares favourably to both petrol and diesel. Battery cell cars are
currently the most commercially popular type of electric car at the
moment.
Hybrid vehicles are a combination of petrol and electric. The electric
element of the car is used as an assist to the petrol engine, and runs the
vehicle to speeds up to 6mph, after which the petrol takes over.
This particular type of electric car is useful in city environments, where
a lot of time is spent at lower speeds. It also eliminates emissions from
slow moving traffic jams when the engine is kept running.
Most electric cars on the world market are lease cars, with a small
percentage being privately owned. Therefore the next step is widespread
commercial backing.
Several major manufacturers are developing the platform, most notably
Peugeot and Citroen in Europe, and Honda and Toyota in Japan. Of course one
of the major factors for commercial success is retail price, and at the
moment this is a significant stumbling block.
_______________________________
Toyota Prius
The iconic hybrid was launched nine years ago, and spearheaded the
green-car-as-fashion-accessory trend, especially in Hollywood. Half a
million sales later, the £17,780 Prius remains at the forefront of hybrid
design, providing the technology for the more expensive Lexus.
Ford Focus FFV
When Ford launched the Focus FFV (flexible fuel vehicle) last year it was
the first production biofuel car on sale in the UK. This year it
introduced a C-Max FFV, announcing that these cars would now be sold at
the same price (from £14,045 or $37,500 Cdn) as their petrol equivalents.
In Sweden, 40% of all Fords sold are FFV. In the UK, because only a handful
of service stations in East Anglia and Somerset currently sell bioethanol,
Ford only expects to sell a few hundred FFV vehicles and is urging the
government to improve tax breaks.
Vauxhall Dualfuel
Autogas or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) is a liquid under pressure made from
butane and propane. Globally there are more than 10 million vehicles that
run on LPG, although few manufacturers offer it as a factory-fitted
option. Vauxhall has offered official aftermarket conversions since 1996
and most of its models, including the Corsa, Astra and Zafira, can be made
to run on LPG, and at the flick of a button, on petrol as well. Converting
the engine and adding an LPG tank - usually where the spare tyre goes -
costs around £2,000. However this is offset by tax breaks, London
congestion charge exemption and a saving of around 50% in fuel costs over
petrol. Vauxhall claims that its LPG cars provide a 75% improvement in
regulated exhaust emissions. Its current advantage over bioethanol is that
it is the most available of alternative fuels, with more than 1,300 LPG
filling stations around the country.
Saab 9-5 BioPower
Launched in the UK earlier this year, this biofuel range offers two engine
sizes and a choice of saloon or estate models. Starting from £21,051 or
$44,380 Cdn) they are £600 more expensive than petrol 9-5 models, but
because bioethanol has a higher octane rating, Saab's engine provides 20%
more bhp than its petrol equivalent - so as well as being a cleaner car, it
is also much faster.
Lexus RX400h
This £35,485 ($74,812 Cdn) luxury Chelsea tractor is as green as an SUV
gets. It is a hybrid, using two electric motors to power the car up to
30mph, at which point the petrol engine kicks in for extra acceleration and
higher cruising speeds providing a maximum of 272bhp.
With zero carbon dioxide emissions at urban speeds, it benefits from
company-car tax breaks. The electric engines recharge automatically using
energy obtained when braking, with a nifty dashboard screen monitoring the
constant energy flow between the engines.
Honda Civic IMA
Unfortunately not based on the rakish new Civic, the IMA (integrated motor
assist) looks like a plodding 80s Japanese econo-box. Underneath the
£16,300 ($34,360 Cdn) car sits a 1.4-litre engine that provides the
performance of a 1.6 and the economy of a 1.1. The electric motor is used
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* Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)
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