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kamakazi wrote:So...a bit late to the party.
I do not believe electric cars are the answer that people make them out to be.
Many people think they are but I'm going to put forward some thoughts/observations that will hopefully open your eyes.
The zero emissions story.
Used as a marketing tool. The reality is that they do require more carbon emissions in their production than ICE (internal combustion engines). What most won't tell you is that the carbon emissions have the potential to continue after production. It all depends on what is utilised to generate the electricity that goes into the vehicle. There are still coal powerplants in operation around the world as well as natural gas powerplants. Charging your vehicle with energy generated by fossil fuels will still have harmful emissions... It has simply moved from the vehicle to the powerplant.
Energy efficiency story. Most people believe that their electric cars are more energy efficient than there ICE counterparts. That is true but it ignores the entire picture; and if you take it into consideration it appears to be far less or at it's best on par or very close with ICE.
So locally we use natural gas for electricity generation. Combination gas turbines with exhaust heat recovery have a total thermal efficiency of about 60%. Transmission efficiency is about 80%. Charging the batteries in an electric vehicle has an efficiency of about 80%. The Conversion of energy from batteries to motive force (inclusive of Regen braking) is 80% efficient.
Total system efficiency is down to ~ 31% for electric vehicles. I will admit this calculation is a bit crude but it takes all things into consideration. This figure is even worse if it is a straight gas turbine system without heat recovery. Those have a thermal efficiency of about 30%; if this value is used instead the total system efficiency is now ~ 15%
Have more to write and will edit when I get the chance
kamakazi wrote:https://youtu.be/N-yALPEpV4w
As much as I don't like nuclear... Can't turn a blind eye to the facts stated; and you need a holistic view on all factors when making a decision.
Hydro is out in Trinidad
Solar is only dependable when the sun is out. The panels are usually constructed with heavy metals and carcinogenic chemicals which aren't easily handled or disposed.
Wind needs land space and is also inconsistent.
Wave; depends on wind actually
All these are not energy dense.
My thinking is to not create more problems in coming up with solutions.
wildeapache1 wrote:Hello everyone. What local companies currently offer electric cars (not hybrid) for sale and what models are currently registered (on the road) in TnT?
kamakazi wrote:Can our grid handle the additional load of electric vehicles.
I seem to disagree this is Trinidad where ppl have a vehicle for each person in the house hold so more than likely that will be a minimum of 3 vehicles charging overnight. We bringing in electric vehicles but we have no infrastructure for such.justfred wrote:kamakazi wrote:Can our grid handle the additional load of electric vehicles.
I don't think the grid will be a major issue (but it is Trinidad after all).
Charging and EV will be similar to running your air conditioning unit, electric water heater or electric stove.
The challenge that I see in some places is where several households in the same area have electric vehicles and everyone wants to charge at the same time they are running the heating and cooking on an electric stove.
In some countries they are now requiring load balancing equipment and/or smart home chargers to be installed.
hover11 wrote:I seem to disagree this is Trinidad where ppl have a vehicle for each person in the house hold so more than likely that will be a minimum of 3 vehicles charging overnight. We bringing in electric vehicles but we have no infrastructure for such.
TTbago wrote:Looking for the find the cost to bring a new electric vehicle. With the tax exemptions for VAT, MVT and Customs tax, what are the other cost?
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