An electric car appears cleaner and greener today, but it will not help the environment for years to come.

All renewable energy produced is used. Your electric utility must, by law, buy all renewable energy. Any increase in demand (your car or new electric stove) will be met by conventional power sources. Though happening elsewhere, the environmental impact is real and roughly the same as a standard car.

The electric car may have a slight operating advantage but requires years of operation before offsetting considerable up-front impact of batteries. When you consider electrical transmission and battery charging losses, the overall impact is likely negative.

There is hope for the future. The technology is not mature and needs to evolve further. Instead of rushing to buy cars, we need to spur development of better batteries, solar cells and windmills. Industry needs to invest in base-load power sources and distribution systems. Make green energy economical (without government incentives), and fossil fuel use will decline. Just remember, you cannot legislate (or executive order) progress.

For the present, we should reduce energy consumption. Home solar cells and hybrid cars make some sense, but be wary of the up-front cost and impact and sales pitches.

Fossil fuels are not the enemy. Abundant economical energy is needed to fund the bridge to green energy. High fuel prices will create hardships, increase conversion costs and enrich Russians, Iranians and Venezuelans.

Don’t burn our bridges, and especially those we are crossing.

Bruce M. Argall

Greensburg

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