This short article in the Devon Centre's newsletter just about says it all:
Is eclectic propulsion the new diesel?
Back in last year’s April edition I discussed the potential for future electric powered Morgans. As we know, since then the electric three-wheeler has fallen by the wayside, allegedly due to sourcing suitable batteries. But is electric power the answer and what exactly is the question?
It was not long ago that politicians were telling us that diesel was better for the environment than petrol—well Volkswagen spoiled that for all, didn’t they? Right now the knee-jerk reaction of politicians seems to be only to tackle the issue of pollution at the point of use and have ignored the inherent environmental problems of cars powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Setting aside the production of the electrify, the extraction of lithium in China (right now the world’s biggest producer) has caused major environmental damage to rivers. In Bolivia the need for water required to extract lithium from salt flats has had a major impact on farmers in that country’s driest areas.
And then, of course, there’s cobalt and magnesium also needed for our ever increasing hunger for batteries for our gadgets and phones—best not to look at the environmental costs of disposal or the shift of power from the middle east to China — as I’m all too fond of saying “we’re all doomed!”
I guess we need to enjoy ourselves while we can.
I am certain that "electric is the new diesel" .
Hydrogen is the answer, easy to make, using electricity, easier to store than electricity and keeps cars light: no heavy battery packs.
Fuel cells are made of relatively non polluting materials, at least compared to batteries, and the only product of "combustion" is water.
Best of all, it as easy to convert big, naturally aspirated V8s to run on Hydrogen as it is to run on LPG... so we can all live happily ever after!!
