Two Studies Question Plug-In Hybrids
Yesterday we wrote about some of the problems associated with ethanol and its rise as the most heavily favored alternative fuel. Now we’ll take the opportunity to give the plug-in hybrid equal scrutiny.
Both the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency have issued studies that highlight the potentially negative impacts of plug-in hybrids on air quality.
As many have pointed out, while plug-in hybrids do get much better overall gas mileage than their gasoline and standard hybrid counterparts, they shift much of the pollution burden to coal-burning power plants that supply the electricity to the socket. According to USA Today, about half of U.S. electricity comes from coal plants. In some areas with aging, technologically unsophisticated power plants, a plug-in hybrid would become “nearly the equivalent of a coal-burning vehicle.”
Besides carbon dioxide, coal-burning plants also release heavy doses of soot and mercury, which is toxic. Additionally, the Minnesota study found that a heavy burden on an electric grid powered by coal-fired plants would result in large increases in sulfur dioxide emissions, which are also toxic and can contribute to acid rain.
Even though plug-in hybrids are still a few years away from hitting roads in numbers that would warrant concern, the studies do raise questions. The technology behind the plug-in hybrid isn’t so much the problem as is the way the United States procures its electricity. If the whole country were running off wind energy, this wouldn’t be a big deal.
The studies indicate that plug-in hybrids will become a better option only if coal power is replaced with wind, water and solar energy in the near future. If plug-in hybrids were to become immediately and overwhelmingly popular, and still drew the bulk of their energy from coal plants, certain regions could see some unpleasant environmental consequences.
Plug-In Cars Could Actually Increase Air Pollution (USA Today)
