GM Spokesperson admits energy to charge cars comes from coal
Just like the title says... Link
Forum Discussion
Timmo! wrote:
So, it is "green" to...
1. Consume millions of gallons of water to mine lithium via a production processes that my native state, California, would never permit--due to the environmental destruction. (OK to destroy land that is far away?)
2. Mine an element that has an extremely limited supply. Lithium makes up 0.0007 percent of the Earth’s crust. Chile produces most of the element for the world market, with Australia coming in second.
3. Consume 3,000 - 32,000 gallons of water to extinguish an EV fire (while at the same time requiring installation low flush toilets in new homes requiring 2-3 flushes).
4. Create an energy cell (lithium battery) that is both a fire hazard and has killed many people (including 34 people that burned alive in the dive boat Conception).
5. To recycle said energy cell at near 100% efficiency, the material must be smelted at 1500°C (over 2700°F).
6. To fire said smelter to over 2700°F, will surely require fossil fuels (transported by those ugly diesel truck tankers, as pipelines are no longer chic, Keystone).
7. When I was young, I remember being told that nuclear power is a great source for alternative energy (it burns no fuel and no greenhouse pollutants are emitted). Problem was what to do with the spent fuel rods, as there was no operational plan to transport and store them.
8. What is the plan to transport, store and recycle the nearly 13 million tons of EV batteries when they are replaced during 2021-2030?
IMO, strategies of "hope" are usually destined to failure; as not everyone will do the right thing, at the right time.
Are you right sure you want to bring water into the discussion?
You mentioned Keystone. The same company has had many leaks in other lines. And the routing of that 1, a leak could contaminate the fresh water source for several states. Fracking has the tap water in some areas burning. And a lot of water is used in the process. Then there have been tanker dumping loads, and wells exploding putting crude in the ocean.
