Hybrid/Electric Cars: Bad for the Environment

[Tuckerfan]

More bad news for hybrid/electric vehicle fans.

Eco-minded drivers in drought-prone states take note: A new study concludes that producing electricity for hybrid and fully electric vehicles could sharply increase water consumption in the United States.

In the study, Carey W. King and Michael E. Webber note that policy makers often neglect the impact that fleets of hybrid and electric vehicles could have on already-scarce water resources. They calculated water usage, consumption, and withdrawal during petroleum refining and electricity generation in the United States.

Each mile driven with electricity consumes about three times more water (0.32 versus 0.07-0.14 gallons per mile) than with gasoline, the study found.

Of course, the article goes on to state that it’s not necessarily a big problem, provided adequate measures are taken. I guess in Georgia’s case that means moving the border north by a mile or so.

[GaryM]

I can see it in the area of generating electricity for plug in electrics, but all the electricity for hybrids comes from gasoline. So how does that play into more water usage?

Is the environment better off driving if I drive my Expedition rather than my Prius?

[fessie]

Look on the bright side - now we know what to do with all those melting icebergs!