EV drivers kidding themselves?
Discussion
I wonder if EV drivers, thinking they're saving the planet, ever look at the National Grid Live to see what is actually powering their cars- https://grid.iamkate.com/. Today, for example, renewables account for just 21% of electricity generation, so a significant majority of EVs are being charged with electricity from gas or coal powered generators. It's such a con.
lornemalvo said:
I wonder if EV drivers, thinking they're saving the planet, ever look at the National Grid Live to see what is actually powering their cars- https://grid.iamkate.com/.
Do EV drivers think that? I'm just trying to save money on petrol!lornemalvo said:
I wonder if EV drivers, thinking they're saving the planet, ever look at the National Grid Live to see what is actually powering their cars- https://grid.iamkate.com/. Today, for example, renewables account for just 21% of electricity generation, so a significant majority of EVs are being charged with electricity from gas or coal powered generators. It's such a con.
Even on a day like that, is that better or worse than a car with an internal combustion engine?It's a process, as of the end of 2020 there are only three active coal-fired power stations remaining on the UK Grid Network.
In the big picture is true today the UK produces I think 2% of world Co2 down from the 18th Century high of 100%. So while in the big picture the best we can do is a 2% improvement we need to keep moving in the right direction which EV are part of that right direction.
In the big picture is true today the UK produces I think 2% of world Co2 down from the 18th Century high of 100%. So while in the big picture the best we can do is a 2% improvement we need to keep moving in the right direction which EV are part of that right direction.
lornemalvo said:
I wonder if EV drivers, thinking they're saving the planet, ever look at the National Grid Live to see what is actually powering their cars- https://grid.iamkate.com/. Today, for example, renewables account for just 21% of electricity generation, so a significant majority of EVs are being charged with electricity from gas or coal powered generators. It's such a con.
What!? No way, what a con. I thought all of the electricity in my EV was produced from harvesting the s
t from free range unicorns and using that to create steam and rainbows to turn turbines and generators. I'm furious at this discovery that the electricity is the same non vegan rubbish they send to poor people. I guess at least I enjoy driving my EV as a small consolation. Thats a brilliant site!
On the production section in "All time (yearly averages)" you can really see how quickly renewables have increased and how fossil fuels have dropped away, just 10 years ago renewables were 5% and now they are 25%, fossil fuel usage has halved in the same period.
It's great progress but the OP is right we should keep pushing for more renewables and get that percentage higher!
Good to see demand dropping as well, should ensure there is plently of capacity in the system which I know is a major worry to some.
On the production section in "All time (yearly averages)" you can really see how quickly renewables have increased and how fossil fuels have dropped away, just 10 years ago renewables were 5% and now they are 25%, fossil fuel usage has halved in the same period.
It's great progress but the OP is right we should keep pushing for more renewables and get that percentage higher!
Good to see demand dropping as well, should ensure there is plently of capacity in the system which I know is a major worry to some.
lornemalvo said:
I wonder if EV drivers, thinking they're saving the planet, ever look at the National Grid Live to see what is actually powering their cars- https://grid.iamkate.com/. Today, for example, renewables account for just 21% of electricity generation, so a significant majority of EVs are being charged with electricity from gas or coal powered generators. It's such a con.
Where do you get the "thinking they're saving the planet" from? Best thing for the planet is for all of us to keep our cars longer!
Electric cars > great but don't change it every couple of years
Non-EV cars > great but don't change it every couple of years
Same with washing machines, phones, computers etc.
Producing them, shipping them across the world etc all adds up!
Electric cars > great but don't change it every couple of years
Non-EV cars > great but don't change it every couple of years
Same with washing machines, phones, computers etc.
Producing them, shipping them across the world etc all adds up!
Ask 100 EV drivers why they've chosen to take that path and I'd be surprised if 10% would say because they care about green reasons and even fewer would be being honest. Everyone I know that has one due to tax incentives, cheaper running costs or, as with us, because they much prefer the user experience to running a similar ICE car.
Anyone who thinks that a tiny island like ours can make any difference whatsoever in the grand scheme of things is delusional.
Anyone who thinks that a tiny island like ours can make any difference whatsoever in the grand scheme of things is delusional.
lornemalvo said:
I wonder if EV drivers, thinking they're saving the planet, ever look at the National Grid Live to see what is actually powering their cars- https://grid.iamkate.com/. Today, for example, renewables account for just 21% of electricity generation, so a significant majority of EVs are being charged with electricity from gas or coal powered generators. It's such a con.
I wonder if non EV drivers realise that EVs can often recouperate significant amounts of energy back into the battery during a drive. Can you do that in your diesel, mate? Mark V GTD said:
lornemalvo said:
I wonder if EV drivers, thinking they're saving the planet, ever look at the National Grid Live to see what is actually powering their cars- https://grid.iamkate.com/.
Do EV drivers think that? I'm just trying to save money on petrol!I think you might have misjudged your audience OP. Saving the planet was not a consideration for me when it came to choosing my EV. That's just political BS, in the same way that the politicians tried to con us some years ago into believing that diesel-fueled vehicles were going to save the planet. I do my bit by recycling, using energy-saving devices, turning the heating down by a degree or two and switching the TV when not in use (rather than using standby) etc etc but I chose my EV because it made more sense to me financially; not just fuel savings but also in servicing costs. Simple as that.
And for those who say petrol/diesel prices are going down, whilst electricity prices are rising, I use free chargers (90% of the time) so how's that going to affect me? I don't do that many miles but last month I save approx £150.00 in fuel costs
and I got to where I was going silently, quickly and in comfort 
And for those who say petrol/diesel prices are going down, whilst electricity prices are rising, I use free chargers (90% of the time) so how's that going to affect me? I don't do that many miles but last month I save approx £150.00 in fuel costs
and I got to where I was going silently, quickly and in comfort ashenfie said:
Well they might be F*ed on that one as petrol looks to finally be coming down, while electricity might be sky rocketing.
My EV friends haven't been paying for fuel for s a few years now, my pal with his solar array isn't paying for his leccy either. None of my EV friends are chucking £100 into their cars every other week or so. 
Edited by heebeegeetee on Friday 29th July 12:53
AllyBassman said:
Best thing for the planet is for all of us to keep our cars longer!
Electric cars > great but don't change it every couple of years
Non-EV cars > great but don't change it every couple of years
Same with washing machines, phones, computers etc.
Producing them, shipping them across the world etc all adds up!
Only sensible statement, so far.Electric cars > great but don't change it every couple of years
Non-EV cars > great but don't change it every couple of years
Same with washing machines, phones, computers etc.
Producing them, shipping them across the world etc all adds up!
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