Hybrid and electric cars are neither clean nor green according to a new environmental book, Green Illusions, written by University of California - Berkeley visiting scholar Ozzie Zehner. It exposes numerous hidden side effects of new hybrid and electric cars. The analysis considers mining impacts, toxins, energy use, suburban sprawl and carbon footprints of production. From an environmental perspective, Zehner argues that hybrids and electric cars are no better than conventional internal combustion engined (ICE) vehicles, a conclusion backed by a National Academy of Sciences report.
In a California radio interview this week, Zehner pointed out that the higher cost of electric cars reflects the greater quantities of fossil fuels used to build them. He argued that electric cars do not eliminate the negative side effects of vehicular travel. They merely shift the problems elsewhere.
Most electric vehicle studies compare traditional fuel to electric car charging, which relies primarily on coal, natural gas and nuclear power. However, fuelling activities represent only a portion of a car's total environmental impact. Zehner points out that the larger impact comes from manufacturing the car. The added copper, aluminum, rare earth metals and other materials necessary for electric car production offset any benefit achieved during the entire charging lifecycle.
Instead of subsidising electric cars, Zehner advocates for lawmakers to support smarter urban design policies that focus on walking, bicycling and public transit. In a recent Grist article, he points out that Congress is threatening to eliminate dedicated funds for bicycle infrastructure even in the face of a national bicycling boom - not to save money, but to direct more funding toward highway and road construction.
He remarks, "If the U.S. Congress is serious about cutting costs, it may eventually have to stand up to thirsty car-culture lobbies and back infrastructure that pays durable dividends."
Green Illusions: The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy and the Future of Environmentalism forms "a bold look at the downside of green technologies and a host of refreshingly simple substitute solutions," according to Kirkus Reviews.
Green Illusions, published by the University of Nebraska Press, highlights and author biography are available at: <%$Linker:External 0 0 0 oLinkExternal http://GreenIllusions.org Green false http://greenillusions.org/ false false %>
In a California radio interview this week, Zehner pointed out that the higher cost of electric cars reflects the greater quantities of fossil fuels used to build them. He argued that electric cars do not eliminate the negative side effects of vehicular travel. They merely shift the problems elsewhere.
Most electric vehicle studies compare traditional fuel to electric car charging, which relies primarily on coal, natural gas and nuclear power. However, fuelling activities represent only a portion of a car's total environmental impact. Zehner points out that the larger impact comes from manufacturing the car. The added copper, aluminum, rare earth metals and other materials necessary for electric car production offset any benefit achieved during the entire charging lifecycle.
Instead of subsidising electric cars, Zehner advocates for lawmakers to support smarter urban design policies that focus on walking, bicycling and public transit. In a recent Grist article, he points out that Congress is threatening to eliminate dedicated funds for bicycle infrastructure even in the face of a national bicycling boom - not to save money, but to direct more funding toward highway and road construction.
He remarks, "If the U.S. Congress is serious about cutting costs, it may eventually have to stand up to thirsty car-culture lobbies and back infrastructure that pays durable dividends."
Green Illusions: The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy and the Future of Environmentalism forms "a bold look at the downside of green technologies and a host of refreshingly simple substitute solutions," according to Kirkus Reviews.
Green Illusions, published by the University of Nebraska Press, highlights and author biography are available at: <%$Linker:
