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power plant smoke

Electric cars pollute like a diesel bus, study says

by Joel McDurmon on Feb 16, 2012

A study released by the University of Tennessee debunks the myth that electric cars are better for the environment than gas-burning vehicles. While electric cars obviously outperform fossil fuels in this area at the initial point of the car itself, the study follows the other obvious track: what is the environmental impact of generating the extra electricity?

In short, “the researchers studied the environmental impact of the whole power chain,” reports the Chicago Tribune.

The study focused on China—where electric cars are far more prevalent—and concluded that due that nation’s high percentage of coal-fired power plants without “clean coal” technology, the total impact of electric cars is actually worse on the environment and the people in it.

The Daily Caller reports,

Researchers found that generating the electricity used to power an electric car releases more pollution into the atmosphere than burning gasoline to drive. Particulate matter is a fossil-fuel byproduct that includes acids, dust, soil, organic chemicals and metals.

The impact an electric car has on the environment is similar to that of a diesel bus, according to the study.

While clean coal and other methods of generating power decrease that impact in the U.S., one of the researchers involved says “his study clearly shows that electric vehicles aren’t the zero-emission savior many expect them to be.”

“I think electric vehicles have a lot of promise, but I’m not an evangelist,” he says. “There are these electric cars out there touting themselves as being emission free, but you and I both know that’s not true.” . . .

“An implicit assumption has been that air quality and health impacts are lower for electric vehicles than for conventional vehicles. . . . Our findings challenge that by comparing what is emitted by vehicle use to what people are actually exposed to.”

Essentially, the human health risk with electric vehicles is moved from the exhaust pipe to the areas surrounding coal power plants.

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6 Comments

  1. "Electric cars pollute like a diesel bus, study says" The irony.

    −Ducky
    Reply ↓

  2. Diesel is the future if the envirofreaks are told to shut up so we can drill for our own oil. Elimination of the EPA solves that problem. Engineering technology has brought diesel engines to the forefront of clean operation and economy of use. You go a lot farther on a gallon of diesel than a gallon of gas. Common sense sez, less fuel burned then fewer emissions. True zero emissions,an ecofreaks dream will come from use of magnets someday or we're all on foot or bicycles because $5.00 + gas is coming thanks to the stupidity of the POTUS on down,through the congress,and the EPA. Then you can watch the country really tank. Just what the current commies in power truly want so bad it gives them an orgasm.

    −Eddie G.
    Reply ↓

  3. Where do all of the retired batteries from all of these wonderful, environmentally friendly electric cars go?

    −Betty G
    Reply ↓

  4. YOu have highly confused Grid load with Polution…Get you facts correct and show documentation or do not print this type of miss-information….I am a EE Phd. UT has never said this and I am consevative. Get the facts or get out….. Bad article

    −David Carpenter
    Reply ↓

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