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Frank Sherosky    November 27, 2011 - 10:05PM

In reply to by Herb (not verified)

I'm not against EVs. Simple fact is, the limited volume of EVs in the next 10-20 years will barely make a dent in the global CO2 scenario that you are concerned about.

Another point is, the cost of those EVs makes no economic sense for the masses, which is the only sensible path toward getting lower total CO2 levels. We need to think in terms of total achievable results, not piecemeal results; and that requires heavy volume at a cost the massive population can afford.

Reality, whether we want to admit it or not, is: that's not going to happen for at least another 20 years, especially with high-cost lithium-ion battery technology. We need EVs in the range of $20K max with no government subsidies. In the meantime, the CO2 levels that you fear will not go down; although it might level off.

Best solution on the way toward EVs and fuel cells: low emission vehicles using nat-gas, clean diesel or lean-burn HCCI gasoline, cylinder shutoff, not to mention split-cycle IC engine with air hybrid options. Keep in mind that a shut-off engine is equivalent to an EV in that stage. Increasing that kind of technology is affordable and will result in greater reductions in total CO2 than a small population of full EVs that are likely being charged with power from coal utilitiies.

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