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Cutting Greenhouse Gases with Plug-Ins

We knew they would save gas; now we know they're cleaner, too.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

By Kevin Bullis

Adding extra batteries to hybrids, and a plug to charge them, is a good way to save gas, replacing it with electricity from the grid. Indeed, drivers could commute to work and back using almost no gasoline. Such "plug-in" hybrids have garnered support from those who hope to reduce consumption of foreign oil.

But it hasn't been completely clear that replacing gasoline with electricity produced largely from fossil fuels would help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. And some have feared that using more electricity would drive up levels of sulfates, ozone, particulates, and other pollutants in the air.

A study released today by the environmental group National Resources Defense Council and the Electric Power Research Institute helps clear up these issues, showing that

plug-ins, once they're on the market, will significantly cut greenhouse gases. They'll also decrease other pollutants, on average, across the United States.

Comments

	Once they're on the market... MITBeta on 07/20/2007 at 8:21 AM
Posts: 24 Avg Rating:	I don't know of any major auto manufacturer that has any plans to include a plug-in hybrid in its portfolio. Do you? Rate this comment: (Reply)

	Re: Once they're on the market... sluby on 07/20/2007 at 10:49 AM
Posts: 1	Ford and GM are planning plug in hybrids for 2010. http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn12227 Rate this comment: (Reply)

	Re: Once they're on the market... wdbacker on 07/23/2007 at 1:49 AM
Posts: 1	Toyota will have a prototype on the Japanese roads very soon. See http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200707200126.html Willy De Backer http://3eintelligence.wordpress.com Rate this comment: (Reply)

	Saving Gas ksviswanathan on 07/23/2007 at 2:39 AM
Posts: 6 Avg Rating:	All gaolene and direct injected diesel engines can save 20% plus fuel consumption by grooving the cylinder head. Hundreds of cars of all makes have been modified with success. Details on patented invention of Mr Somender Singh is available at website www.somender-singh.com. Auto manufacturers should adopt this invention in their cars to save precious crude oil. Rate this comment: (Reply)

	cutting greenhouse gases with plug-in hybrids djs on 07/23/2007 at 2:53 AM
Posts: 21 Avg Rating:	Only inasmuch the electric power doesn't derive from coal-fired plants might this help - and then only if losses in power transmission can be avoided. If the power comes from wind and solar cells, that is (will be) different. Breakthroughs are also needed in making high performance batteries from cheap, abundant materials. Rate this comment: (Reply)