Comments on: Birmingham and Coventry to become “electric car cities” http://www.birminghamrecycled.co.uk/conservation/birmingham-and-coventry-to-become-electric-car-cities Environmental News From the Midlands Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:23:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Phil Gordon http://www.birminghamrecycled.co.uk/conservation/birmingham-and-coventry-to-become-electric-car-cities/comment-page-1#comment-652 Phil Gordon Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:06:09 +0000 http://www.birminghamrecycled.co.uk/?p=1533#comment-652 I think it's good that Birmingham is taking part in schemes such as these. Although we are regarded as England's second city, Birmingham has a pretty bad reputation and is becoming increasingly overshadowed by Manchester. Schemes like this electric car project coupled with the future plans to build upwards instead of out, making Birmingham the Manhattan of the UK, ensures a positive future for our city. I think it’s good that Birmingham is taking part in schemes such as these. Although we are regarded as England’s second city, Birmingham has a pretty bad reputation and is becoming increasingly overshadowed by Manchester. Schemes like this electric car project coupled with the future plans to build upwards instead of out, making Birmingham the Manhattan of the UK, ensures a positive future for our city.

]]> By: Anthony Dosanjh http://www.birminghamrecycled.co.uk/conservation/birmingham-and-coventry-to-become-electric-car-cities/comment-page-1#comment-649 Anthony Dosanjh Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:17:30 +0000 http://www.birminghamrecycled.co.uk/?p=1533#comment-649 As long as we get rid of buses i am up for it! As long as we get rid of buses i am up for it!

]]> By: geniearse http://www.birminghamrecycled.co.uk/conservation/birmingham-and-coventry-to-become-electric-car-cities/comment-page-1#comment-631 geniearse Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:25:40 +0000 http://www.birminghamrecycled.co.uk/?p=1533#comment-631 Why is it that everyone thinks electric cars don't produce carbon. The power to drive the vehicle either comes from a fuel cell combining hydrogen and oxygen giving electricity and water or from batteries, neither of which give carbon from the car. BUT in both cases the fuel, either hydrogen or electricity for charging has to be manufactured which uses power. Unless this power comes from nuclear or renewable sources it is, in the long run no less carbon producing than petrol/diesel. A coal fired power station in particular are very inefficient, up to 60% of the coals energy is LOST. Gas powered power stations can be up to 10% better. Add to this losses in electricity transmission losses, in hydrogen manufacture or in battery charges. The biggest reduction of carbon emmision in this country could be made by recoving heat wasted in gas or coal fueled power stations. Combined heat and power (CHP) is now catching on in a lot of industries. see http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~enzetc/tech_combine_heat_power.php Do you Still think electric cars are 'making for a lower-carbon nation' ? Why is it that everyone thinks electric cars don’t produce carbon.

The power to drive the vehicle either comes from a fuel cell combining hydrogen and oxygen giving electricity and water or from batteries, neither of which give carbon from the car.

BUT in both cases the fuel, either hydrogen or electricity for charging has to be manufactured which uses power.

Unless this power comes from nuclear or renewable sources it is, in the long run no less carbon producing than petrol/diesel.

A coal fired power station in particular are very inefficient, up to 60% of the coals energy is LOST.

Gas powered power stations can be up to 10% better.

Add to this losses in electricity transmission losses, in hydrogen manufacture or in battery charges.

The biggest reduction of carbon emmision in this country could be made by recoving heat wasted in gas or coal fueled power stations.

Combined heat and power (CHP) is now catching on in a lot of industries. see http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~enzetc/tech_combine_heat_power.php

Do you Still think electric cars are ‘making for a lower-carbon nation’ ?

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