I think I've changed my mind about electric cars. Maybe they are A Good Thing.
I used to think: "Yes, great, zero emissions, but where the heck is all that electricity going to come from?"
I read a couple of different things, one from Waikato University(The Potential for Battery Electric Cars in New Zealand) that suggests 10% more electricity would be needed - if there's a move to public transport, walking etc as well. Twenty percent more if not. That sounds like a whole new Manapouri situation.
Then someone suggested the idea of recharging electric cars with off-peak power.
And it checks out. EECA says that there is enough surplus electricity generated off-peak to power all of our current fleet of cars.
And if you needed more, Good magazine gives you ten good reasons to buy one.
There's a little niggle in the back of my mind about batteries, but for now I'm feeling positive about the idea again.
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However all that off peak energy would still have a degrading effect on the hydro lake reserves, not so good come a dry year.....
ReplyDeleteYes, interesting point. I'm quite intrigued by the EECA claim, and think it's a little frustrating that they don't give more info about what it's based on. Is there really all that power going to waste all the time? Wouldn't you think someone would've found a way to use it by now?
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