Saving The Planet

Earlier this year, and 2200 miles ago, we took delivery of a battery electric vehicle - a BEV.  It is a Ford Mustang Mach-E; a sporty number that is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 in about 3.9 seconds.  If it weren't for all of the driver assist features you could rack-up some serious speeding violations in reasonably short order.  

Hands Free Driving

That aside, my acquisition of this vehicle is not going to save the planet.  Why is that you ask?  It's a consequence of my reliance on the grid.  Without a solar array or wind generator I get my electricity the same way most of my readers do - from the power company.  And the brutal, honest truth is only about 11% of the electricity generated in Wisconsin is from renewable sources.  The remaining 89% is generated by the burning of fossil fuels. 

It should come as no surprise that according to a report issued by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) that this year's most environmentally friendly automobile is the plug-in hybrid electric Toyota Prius Prime SE.  This vehicle can travel up to 44 miles on a battery charge before switching to hybrid mode.  When you factor-in the carbon emissions from both manufacturing and daily operation you have a winning combination.

And while the sale of BEVs continues to rise, the pace of growth has softened a bit as consumer tastes for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) also grows slightly faster.  As a long time shareholder this likely explains the run-up in share value as Toyota Motor has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the popularity of plug-in hybrid vehicles.  (ADR ticker TM).

So, is the EV dead on arrival?  I don't think so.  For a segment of the marketplace such as commuters who want a second vehicle and those who can afford them; an EV remains a solid choice.  Speaking for myself, it is near optimal for local use easily making a round trip to Green Bay, Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Sister Bay.  With a Level Two charger in the attached garage I plug it in before going to bed and it charges overnight during off-peak hours.  As a daily ride an EV is sublime.  Would I drive it to the Gulf Coast to visit the grand kids?  With some planning I could.  Yet the notion is unappealing as the Honda Odyssey minivan is a more practical choice.

Another interesting thing I've learned is that adopters of a battery electric vehicle rarely go back and replace it with an internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV).  I suspect that battery technology, and consequently range, will continue to evolve.  The price point will likely also move with the export of mass-produced, lower cost EVs from China.  An unknown factor is Donald Trump.  Demonstrably hostile to electric vehicles if he wins reelection this fall I suspect that the sale of BEVs will suffer.

Meanwhile, the sale of BEV and PHEV units will likely continue to rise as automobile manufacturers seek to improve the fuel efficiency of their fleets.  Ford, Kia and Toyota are going to continue to expand their selection of hybrid options to appeal to consumers who are not quite ready for a fully electric vehicle.  

In conclusion, is an electric vehicle or a hybrid better for the environment and save the planet?  The answer is complicated because battery manufacturing is a dirty business.  There are plenty of carbon inputs in the assembly of both.  And where I live the grid doesn't offer much in the way of renewable energy.  Factors such as range anxiety, personal preference, daily use, attraction to new technology and affordability probably play an outsize role.  I like my Mustang Mach E more than I enjoyed driving the 5.0L fire-breathing Mustang I owned between marriages.  It's a fast and sporty drive and other than my neighbors who drive Chevy Corvettes or race on the local dirt tracks I have one of the fastest rides in my small community and virtually none of the maintenance.  Besides, our family presently owns three additional ICEVs, a 4-wheeler and side-by-side powered by gasoline, a diesel tractor and a boat with a couple of two-cycle motors.

Bottom line, I'm not saving the planet. Big deal; so what.  Now, get off my damn lawn...