19/05/2018
It is an interesting read. However, it also seems incredibly biased.
It lays heavy criticism of the ‘real world’ economy of hybrid cars, but doesn’t make any mention of the ‘real world’ economy or emissions of petrol and diesel cars. We know that some manufacturers deliberately falsified the emission performance of their cars. It is also true to say that, even without fraudulent test conditions, the actual emissions achieved during a normal journey are likely to be very different to the quoted figures.
It is my understanding that Elon Musk has invested mind-blowing amounts, not just in his battery technology, but in the actual carbon neutrality of his battery manufacturing plant.
I know people who have been driving Nissan Leafs for years, none of whom have experienced any issues with the batteries. So, if the Leaf takes just 2.7 years to offset any initial CO2 burden from manufacturing, the years after it will obviously be a bonus.
On the subject of the coal or oil used to create the electricity to power an electric vehicle, things are changing.
The town of Andover, where I live, seems almost surrounded by huge solar farms which deliver power directly to Andover’s power grid.
I’m not suggesting that electric cars don’t have a carbon footprint, obviously. But the future of sustainable motoring must look to hydrogen fuel cell and electric cars.
There are some who think these changes will cause the end of touring caravans. However, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (petrol / electric hybrid) has a towing capacity of 1,500kg, whereas the Tesla Model X (pure electric) has a towing capacity of 2,250kg.
Technology will improve further and it seems beyond doubt that the efficiency and capabilities of electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will accelerate at a far quicker pace than has been achieved with petrol and diesel vehicles.
The future is, I believe, cleaner.
😎
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