<Of Technology and the FutureThe Oil DrumDrumBeat: April 25, 2007>

47 comments on Short takes

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

tstreet on April 24, 2007 - 5:51pm Permalink | Subthread | Comments top

The subsidy for green diesel is much greater, of course, than you estimate. You assume that green diesel emits zero carbon which neglects the carbon required to produce it from seed to tailpipe.

While you make a good point regarding EPA mileage figures, the way they are presented by EPA in the first place will be what influences consumers to the extent that they care aoubt gas mileage.

More important, perhaps, is the way we drive. Maybe the new figures reflect the way most people drive or the average person drives but it doesn't have to be that way. Perhaps, there shouldn't be one test but a range of tests depending upon different driving patterns. Let the customer decide which is relevant based on his//her desired or actual patterns.

Regarding the subdidy, I've seen figures that it is in the 5 to 6 billion range for all biofuels. How much carbon does that save and how much carbon could we save for a range of alternative investments, including solar power, wind power, insulation, conservation, high mileage autos, etc? An investment is only "good" as it relates to other alternative investments. One of the biggest fallacies I see is that all these initiatives like ethanol are treated in isolation. Once we have determined that is has a marginally positive EROEI, analysis is over.

These subopitmum investments occur because we pick winners. Actually, we don't even pick winners because in a true contest there are competitors with an equal playing field. This is like if we picked the winner of the super bowl based upon contributions of the NFL commissioner.

Another example is EVs. I love the idea of EVs for their cool factor. Maybe they would even cut carbon compared to ICEs. Maybe I might personally choose to spend thousands of extra dollars over my vehicle's lifetime to drive an EV. But do I want to impose millions of billions of dollars on society for my personal choice? Shouldn't I consider what those billions could do for a range of alternatives, including light rail?

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Antoinetta III on April 25, 2007 - 1:36am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

“The problem with that is that it has no narrow constituency which can be tapped for campaign contributions. Is there any chance that our legislature will ever do the right thing instead of what gets them the biggest handouts?” Posted by Engineer-Poet

No.

Antoinetta III

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Stefan Stackhouse on April 25, 2007 - 10:08am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Neighborhood Electric Vehicles made of lightweight materials and a top speed of 35mph for local, non-highway use only make a good deal of sense. They are in production and available now. It is quite feasible to recharge them with a PV panel. For commuters, the best arrangement would be a rooftop PV panel & recharger at home, and an array of PV panels & rechargers at their employer's parking lot (the NEVs could be parked underneath the PV panels). There would be two battery packs, one that is left to recharge at home during the day, the other recharging at the employer's. Each night the owner swaps the battery packs out. For daily commutes of up to 5 miles or so each way the battery pack need not be all that big or expensive. For longer daily commutes we really do need efficient mass transit.

EVs that in size, weight, top speed, and cruise range are comparable to conventional ICE cars do not make a good deal of sense.

Unfortunately, NEVs are just a niche market, because everyone seems to be focused on this kooky idea of making an electric car that is just like the gasoline fueled models. Cars as we know them are not sustainable, it should be obvious that electric rail is going to be the only viable option for longer-distance trips. However, NEVs are a proven and available technology that could feasibly provide a renewables-powered mode of individual local transport in addition to walking and bicycles -- (especially for the handicapped and infirm for whom walking and bicycles will not be an option).

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
olepossom on April 25, 2007 - 10:39am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I ride an electric scooter the 3.5 miles to work and back every day. I can't go over 30 mph, but my commute takes less time than in my car, a 2004 Prius-- I often pass, and re-pass, all those SUV's that blow by me doing 45 in a 30 zone, just so they can get to the red light faster.

The best part of my commute is the nods I get from the motorcycle cops on their Electra Glides. And second best is the cost of the electricity for the commute, which works out to less than 35 cents.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Stefan Stackhouse on April 25, 2007 - 11:15am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Good for you. There are also rechargeable electric motor assist units that can be added on to bicycles and adult tricylces. These will be essential for making bicycles and adult trikes mainstream for older and less physically fit people, and especially for those of us living in topographically challenged (i.e., not flat) terrain.

The big problem is that we still haven't really worked out how to allow motor vehicles and various 2-wheeled and 3-wheeled modes of transport co-exist safely on most town and city streets. Bike lanes are nice where you have them, most places don't, and even those that do are not 100% safe from the 1-ton plus hunks of metal speeding by just inches away. MAny places do not even have sidewalks, meaning that pedestrians must take their chances along the edge of the street with motor vehicles, and occasionally getting killed in the attempt.

Until we have made widespread, almost universal investments in urban infrastructure to make pedestrian and cyclist safety a priority over motor cars, and until the volume of automobile traffic has been reduced and slowed down due to hyper-expensive gasoline, I thus believe that many people are going to find that NEVs will be the most viable transitional option for local travel, especially if they only have short commutes to work or to a mass transit node.

What if people can afford only one car and occasionally need to drive somewhere beyond the range of their NEV, somewhere that mass transit does not yet service? A network of car rental companies already exists, and could be extended into smaller towns and neighborhoods if the demand warrants. If someone can make an NEV serve for their daily needs, then they should find that renting an conventional automobile for their occasional longer trips is an economical option.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
markincalgary on April 25, 2007 - 6:37pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

This probably doesn't apply to many larger American cities, but I've commuted in a (hilly) city of a million, and it isn't all that bad from a safety perspective. At least, as a cyclist, you're free to make it as safe as you want. Sticking to residential streets, using bike paths or sidewalks where possible/necessary, and lighting yourself up like the sun go a long way. Taking the same path as one would in a car... Well, that would be dangerous.

After moving to a small town from the city, I was nervous about riding my bike, but it was without reason. My experience in a small town is that it's much better for the cyclist. The commute is shorter, there is much less traffic, and the massive roads in the city, that are effectively impassible walls to cyclists and pedestrians, don't exist in small towns.

I'm not saying that I wouldn't like to see more bike lanes or paths, that would be very nice, but even without that urban investment, commuting by bike definitely doesn't have to be as dangerous as many make it out to be.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
PrisonerX on April 25, 2007 - 12:39pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

TN doesn't allow you to squeeze by on a motorcycle. do it all day long in many states including CA.

Quid Clarius Astris
Ubi Bene ibi patria

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
olepossom on April 25, 2007 - 3:19pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

And if my scooter were a motorcycle, that would bother me-- but it is not. It's rated like a bicycle, which can lane share everywhere.

0
Comments can no longer be added to this story.