Electric vehicles, now
This part is likely negative for the environment: Biden administration will also pursue direct-consumer rebates to encourage American car buyers to swap out fossil-fuel-powered cars for zero-emission vehicles. Source: Biden…
Crime/Corruption
Energy
Environment
Policy/Government
Public Health/Nutrition
Science
Transportation
Wondered where this was going? British politician urges lock downs and restrictions to fight climate change
Does this mean the conspiracy theorists were correct? 2020 was a trial run? Geesh. Sir Lindsay Hoyle told a gathering of counterparts from some of the world’s most powerful countries…
Questions asked: “Electric cars are on the rise in cities. Can power grids cope?”
As electric vehicle sales rise across Europe, more charging stations are needed. Power grids are trying to meet increasing energy demands as they keep pace with government carbon reduction targets.…
In Australia: “Tesla Supercharging now more expensive than petrol refuelling”
Tesla’s “less than the cost of petrol” claim no longer cuts the mustard Source: Tesla Supercharging now more expensive than petrol refuelling
We can’t breathe
Day #8 of AQI’s in the 400 to over 600 range. Was 438 a short time ago. They originally thought we’d start clearing out Tuesday, then Wednesday, then Thursday, then…
Wild fire history – a multi-variable problem
Global area burned 2003-2015, chart from NASA, based on satellite monitoring. Their data only goes up through 2015. Source: Researchers Detect a Global Drop in Fires U.S. historical fires, from…
We have not been outside in a week
We are now at one week of Air Quality Index values hitting around 500 +/- each day. The outside air is unbreathable. We have been confined to our sealed house…
Air Quality Index
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a numeric indicator of local air quality. Since last Thursday night, our AQI has been in the 500 to 526 range. The range only…
Nature Conservancy: “California: Let’s Stop Making Wildfire History”
Some of the factors that shape the frequency and severity of wildfire in California, like drought, record high temperatures and strong winds are beyond our control and in many cases,…
What does it mean to use no fossil fuels for electricity generation by 2035?
2035 is 15 years from today. Presidential candidate Joe Biden unveiled his plan to eliminate all carbon-based fuels for electricity generation. Most people have no idea how large the numbers…
Electric Vehicle Efficiency
According to the U.S. government: Energy efficient. EVs convert over 77% of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels. Conventional gasoline vehicles only convert about 12%–30%…
Transportation: How EVs are more efficient than ICE vehicles – power on demand and regeneration
ICE vehicle engines, except in hybrids and PHEVs, run all the time. In an EV, you only consume power when you need power. This makes an EV ideal for city…
Energy: Lifecycle GHG emissions from a hybrid, plug in hybrid and an EV are about the same
This graphic, from the International Energy Agency, illustrates the lifetime CO2 equivalent emissions from different types of vehicles. “BEV” is a battery electric vehicle with a 400 km range, HEV…
Energy: In many countries, hybrid gas/EVs emit lower emissions than pure electric vehicles
An average battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric cars using electricity characterised by the current global average carbon intensity (518 grammes of carbon-dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour ) emit less GHGs…
Energy: Unplugging your cell phone charger does nearly nothing for the environment
Few people have any idea about the lifetime energy usage of popular consumer products. 50-75% of the energy and green house gas emissions for many cars occurs during manufacturing. Switching…