Electric Vehicles: Climate Saviors, or Not?

One of the most compelling reasons to support the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide is its potential to reduce greenhouse emissions. However, the widespread introduction of EVs is by itself not enough to lead to reduced carbon emissions from the transportation sector. Greater levels of clean, renewable energy need to be incorporated by electricity grids, and electricity providers need to incentivize public recharging of EVs when renewable energy production is at its peak. This article shows that this not currently the case in the U.S., with comparisons made to recharging in other countries, such as China, Japan, the Netherlands and Norway. The author states that a merger of new policies and advanced technology is needed to resolve the issue of whether EVs can be climate positive or climate negative, based on where they are located and when they are recharged. Until electricity storage becomes economically viable, finding ways to encourage recharging when renewable sources are providing the power is the challenge.

• Record URL:
  • http://issues.org/33-2/electric-vehicles-climate-saviors-or-not/
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07485492
• Authors:
  • Barkenbus, Jack
• Publication Date: 2017

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: pp 55-59
• Serial:
  • Issues in Science and Technology
  • Volume: XXXIII
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: University of Texas at Dallas
  • ISSN: 0748-5492
  • Serial URL: http://www.issues.org/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Climate change; Electric vehicle charging; Electric vehicles; Environmental impacts; Exhaust gases; Grids (Transmission lines); Policy; Renewable energy sources
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Policy; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01630239
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 27 2017 9:33AM