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rgpc64 t1_ixur8x4 wrote

Reply to comment by ConcernedDudeMaybe in Electric-vehicle charging stations could use as much power as a small town by 2035 — and the grid isn't ready by Sorin61

And fossil fuels, and platinum, palldium rodium etc. Used in ice cars. Conductive metals are recycleable. Copper and aluminum are plentiful.

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ConcernedDudeMaybe t1_ixuw4y3 wrote

I understand form S-K 1300 quite well, thanks. I also understand how harmful to the environment current recycling methods of most copper/gold/silver/platinum/etc. is.

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rgpc64 t1_ixuxb4a wrote

No doubt improvement is needed but cradle to grave electric infrastructure and transportation is already far cleaner than fossil fuel based systems with the potential to be far cleaner.

Using less, local sourcing, re-use etc. unfortunately isn't discussed a lot since there is less business involved.

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ConcernedDudeMaybe t1_ixv1ged wrote

What do you think generates the power for the grid? Spoiler alert, it's "fossil fuels". So we should harm the environment by creating unnecessary infrastructure to transmit fossil fuel converted energy to the power grid instead of just using the more pure form of energy directly in an internal combustion engine.

That makes perfect fucking sense! 🤤

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SkySchemer t1_ixv4ar1 wrote

Even a power plant running on fossil fuel is more efficient than your car's engine.

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rgpc64 t1_ixv4b53 wrote

How simpleminded do you think people are?

You are either being disengenuous or haven't done your reasearch.

Renewable energy sources accounted for about 19.8% of total utility-scale electricity generation and more renewable generation is the leading sector in regards to new sources.

Even with the current grid EV's have been cradle to grave cleaner than ICE vehicles since at least 2015 and they're getting cleaner.

https://thecharge.ca/news/ford-u-of-michigan-study-finds-evs-cleaner-from-cradle-to-grave/

An electric motor is so much more efficient than a gas motor that even electricity made with natural gas allows electric cars to be more effucient than ICE vehicles.

Electric motors makes vehicles A LOT more efficient than internal combustion engines. Electric motors convert over 85 percent of electrical energy into mechanical energy, or motion, compared to less than 40%for a gas combustion engine. The drivetrain in an EV is far more efficient as in less friction. According to the DOE an EV is about 59-62 percent of the electrical energy from the grid goes to turning the wheels, whereas gas combustion vehicles only convert about 17-21 percent of energy from burning fuel into moving the car. This means that an electric vehicle is about three times as efficient as an ICE vehicle. And that doesn't include regenerative braking.

Understanding is a far better methodology than repeating someone elses decades old fossil fuel industry propaganda.

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ConcernedDudeMaybe t1_ixv59g1 wrote

You should watch Planet of the Humans.

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rgpc64 t1_ixv7pf9 wrote

I have, some good points but very flawed information as well.

We live with a smaller footprint than most and practice what we preach.

I read the population bomb when I was twelve, ride a bike more than I drive, started one of the first curbside recycling programs in my State and the first in my County in the 1980's. I also helped build a number of Community Gardens including one on the land trust I was on the board of for 25 years that helped negotiate funding and purchases of several open space properties.

None of that changes the fact that an electric infrastructure even with it's myriad of challenges is a far better plan for the future than one based on fossil fuels. Hopefully people will live less wastefull, less energy intensive lives but even if they do we will still need electricity.

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