I think you forgot to factor in the loss of energy in transferring electricity to the cars, charging the cars, and then using the charged batteries.
The losses are already accounted for in the miles/kWh rating. 4 miles/kWh is net, not measured at the motor. The kWh is measured at the house utility meter. If they were more or less efficient they would get more or less distance per kWh. For each kWh you pull from the grid you will be able to drive about 5-6 miles in warm weather and 3-4 miles in cold weather.
That's not to mention the energy used to mine all the Lithium, copper, etc. and the time wasted waiting for chargers, etc., etc.
The total energy to manufacture an electric car is more than the equivalent gasoline car, which is why they cost more. Over the lifetime of the car the electric wins out ... in cost and pollution.
OK, thanks for the clarification.
Over the lifetime of the car the electric wins out ... in cost and pollution.
You should check out study, which I'll post if I can find. Also, if the new energy created to power these cars is coal, how is that better on pollution?
Also, if the new energy created to power these cars is coal, how is that better on pollution?
It depends on the pollutant. For CO2 it works out about the same as gasoline. For smog it's still an advantage because it moves the pollution out of concentrated population centers and into centralized plants where it's easier to control. Many, many places in the US get most of their power from fuels other than coal.
The problem is that the extra energy capacity is often from coal in the US, so every electric car that goes on the road increases the amount of electricity produced by coal. For example, California buys energy from other states at night and much of that is created by burning coal. I don't have the numbers handy but I'm sure it can be found with a little work.
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