A public message to the US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm (I hope she can receive this message):
The context of this message is the movement currently being discussed in the US called 100% electric cars by 2035 or 2050.
My point is that 100% electric cars is an impossible goal. Obviously, those who advocate 100% electric cars have good intentions to cure climate change, which is definitely a severe problem. However, they may not know that although electric motors have a higher efficiency (around 90%) than internal combustion engines (ICEs) (around 30%), the energy density of gasoline (about 12,200 Wh/kg or 9,700 Wh/L) is more than 40 times greater in weight and 10 times greater in volume than that of the best rechargeable batteries (200-300 Wh/kg or 400-500 Wh/L). This is why gasoline-powered cars have a longer range. It is also much quicker to refuel with gasoline (around 5 minutes) than to recharge batteries (more than 30 minutes).
Dear Bin, it is refreshing to hear your point of view, and you raise an important point about the relative efficiency of gasoline. However, I don’t see that you’ve addressed the fact that gasoline is a nonrenewable resource. Of course, much more can be said on either side.
ReplyDeleteThe real reason I’m writing today, though, is to say you need to update your Blog! It’s 2024! What topics would you like to see addressed in the upcoming presidential debates?