EV CAN CLEAR AIR

Are electric vehicles answer to valley smog?
Streven Mayer, January 18, 2011 (The Bakersfield Californian)

"…In recent weeks, two mass-market electric vehicles, a Nissan Leaf and a Chevrolet Volt, were delivered to private [Bakersfield] owners…

"Nissan says the Leaf can travel up to 100 miles on a full charge. The Volt's electric range is shorter, about 40 miles, but it includes a small gasoline engine that will recharge the car's batteries, essentially giving it an unlimited range…The price of the Leaf, depending on the model, starts at approximately $33,000. The Volt lists at about $41,000. But both buyers will benefit from a federal income tax credit of $7,500, bringing the net cost down substantially…[E]lectric charging stations [are] in place…[and there are] plans to install [more]…"

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"The bottom line for both plug-in vehicles appears to be a per-mile fuel cost that is significantly lower than average gas-powered vehicles. And if the cost of gasoline climbs to $5 per gallon, as some analysts have predicted, the cost gap will widen…But there's another factor both dealers are touting… the San Joaquin Valley's topography and climate act like a bowl that is notorious for holding in smog-producing pollutants, making the valley's air some of the worst in the nation…Could the electric car save us from ourselves?

"…To that end, the air district is looking at subsidizing the installation of quick-charging stations at key points to make longer travel more feasible. They are also offering a $1,000 to $3,000 incentive for valley residents who purchase a Leaf…The Volt has not been incentivized for a couple of reasons…The gasoline reserve tank means the Volt is not 100 percent electric. And the buzz surrounding the Volt being awarded Motor Trend's Car of the Year -- along with current limited availability -- means sales probably wouldn't benefit from an added incentive…"

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"…[E]lectric cars cannot claim to be "emissions free" if they are powered from an energy grid supplied by power stations burning coal or gas…Nevertheless, electric vehicles still represent a net reduction in the ozone-forming emissions that are a problem here in the valley every summer…Seventy to 80 percent of smog-forming gases in the valley come from mobile sources, including cars…

"[R]educing smog from…[autos] can indeed make a healthy difference…But the emissions from cars and light trucks represent less than 20 percent of the total mobile emissions, while heavy-duty trucks emit some 40 percent of the primary smog-forming gas. Off-road construction, industrial and farm vehicles together also emit more…[But] cutting emissions by driving electric cars and other low-emission vehicles…can make a difference…"